The chaps and chapesses hadn’t been weighed for a while so Monika came over with her scales.  This is very important as we have a horse vet from south coming up to see all the old ones (Kolka, Haakon, Iacs, Fivla and Vitamin) and Iacs will be sedated.  An accurate weight = accurate anaesthetic dose.

We did the little ones first.  All were very good about being caught and leading onto the scales.  They are used to this routine now.

Then it was the other’s turn. First, I chose Vitamin and then Fivla, who was skulking in the shed hoping I wouldn’t find her.  Haakon was the only idiot (I was ashamed), walking over the scales but just missing it by one leg.  I won in the end  by pushing fourth leg on and his weight was measured so he stood there sulkily defeated.

The results were very interesting. I had been worrying for ages about everyone’s weight.  Were the Icelandics too thin?  Apparently not.  Was Tiddles looking a bit bony and emaciated – definitely not.

It is incredible how just looking and prodding doesn’t give any sense of accuracy. In fact I was totally wrong.

So, Monika’s invaluable help and use of her scales were the answer and Plan B(iv.z) was made.  No more hay when it’s raining, no matter what for the little ones, even if they are utterly miserable. Stop the fattening mash and linseed for the old Icelandics and Shetlands – they don’t need it this time of year.

Scientia ipsa potentia est (knowledge is power) as they say and now I know, I must stay strong.