Day off today (yay!) which began as usual at 5:30am feeding round then back to bed with a cup of tea and book, and a couple of hours' kip. Sid is away in Amsterdam on business; been really missing him but the one good thing is the lack of "cute snuffly noises" at night and a better than average sleeping pattern as a result.
Probably could have stayed in bed for rather longer but was dragged into a state of consciousness by Pheel, on the blower to apologise for not having been round as arranged last night to remove a bad bale of haylage, on account of being pinned under a car after the jack collapsed. Luckily he'd dragged a spare tyre underneath as a secondary precaution and was thus saved from serious injury. With Pheel, you never really know what mad thing has happened that means he hasn't been able to keep a prearranged appointment and I was once more glad I wasn't at immediate pains to text him about the staple gun and the pole in the garden as a result of his not turning up.
What better way to spend a day off than wandering about the homestead, inspecting fencing, the rate of grass growth, poo picking and removing the boys' rugs so that they could run and roll in their furry splendour, enjoying late autumnal sun. Splendid. Did a bit of shopping and back sharpish for a 2pm appointment with Robin the farrier.
I'm so proud of our girls and in awe once more at the splendour that is the temperament of the Lusitano horse. Today was only their second appointment, which was a bit delayed as Robin had hurt his back. Xacra has quite a big crack in the right hind hoof and I was concerned about it, so in the absence of anything else I was trying to apply some linseed oil. Her response? Front feet: concern but ok, if I approached very very calmly and lowered myself slowly towards her feet, and as long as Knickers was at her head providing calmness and moral support (Knickers incidentally is showing great promise with a very calm reassuring way with the girls). Back feet however, less easy and I ended up lashing the brush to the end of a long whip and using that, as the last thing I need is my head being kicked off. So I was trying not to think of what she'd do with Robin and whether she'd kick his head clean off.
We did Alfama first, who was less anxious, though nervous still, and this time she had a full trim and rasp all the way round. Having never been rasped before it was obviously a strange sensation but she was exceptionally good and accepted it all without murmur. Xacra was more nervous; really quite nervous in fact but again she stood and took it without any problems - even the right hind. Robin was ace - very calm and reassuring. And oh! the sexy feet that emerged from the process - they look like proper feet now and I am glad :) Must take photos.
In other news we have dispensed with 42 eggs today, which is bloody good going if you ask me. 36 have gone to the local farm shop for resale and I gave six to Pheel, just because.
Meanwhile Knickers and I are enjoying an evening of cider and good grub. I have just discovered Kopparberg premium cider with strawberry and lime - Jesus.
And it's only Friday - yay!
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