Abygail The Biker Chick (Winter 2004)

The Herd now numbers 19 and they wander over three paddocks. My Dad had taken our farm bike and trailer down to one of the three paddocks to pick up some of the manure. The Herd were no where insight, so he figured he could work in peace. The ponies, especially the foals like to be "your assistant". However, they had heard the bike, which for them, means dinner time and turned up for a 'look see'.

It was only late morning, so it wasn't dinner time, but there were some hay scraps on the trailer. One of the greatest thing you can give your horse is confidence and our ponies have so much confidence, in fact too much! Dad was busy shoveling away and the Herd was busy inspecting the bike. He thought nothing of this as they are used to the bike and carried on with his work. He suddenly heard some banging on the trailer and looked up to see Abygail (our 3 year old filly) had climbed up onto the trailer. She had all 4 feet on the trailer and was helping herself to the hay. We have seen Abygail put her front feet up on the trailer, but never all four. Sisko (black & white gelding) was jumping over the draw bar of the trailer which was quite a tight squeeze. The others were all happily munching on the hay. No harm done, thought Dad and carried on with his work.

When he had finished he put the wheelbarrow back onto the trailer and got onto the bike. He went to turn on the ignition, only to discover the key was missing. The paddocks were very muddy due to heavy rain and 19 sets of eyes looking at him all innocent. There was also 76 little hooves to trample the key into the mud! The key was located thanks to its bright yellow key ring. Dad now removes the key from the ignition if the bike is left unattended in Shetland presence.