1pm Mon 12th Jan, 6 found, 2 on the path and 4 amongst the gorse in the wooded area next to the racecourse

The 6 i found all looking well.  The other 2 might have been deeper into the gorse but although i hung around for awhile they didn’t appear

They were all busy eating today

Sunday 11th January - All 8 seen - Family feeding the ponies + several pieces of fencing lying on the ground in the southwest corner

At 13:30 this afternoon, the ponies were making their way down from Brock’s Hill and browsing the gorse on both sides of the path near the main entrance. They were already damp from the drizzle, but it didn’t stop them grazing. All of them were very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. They looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Afterwards, the ponies alternated between grazing in the southwest corner and coming back over for more attention. They thoroughly enjoyed the long neck and shoulder rubs and seemed to appreciate having the rain brushed from their backs and sides. The girls also appeared pleased to have loose gorse picked out of their manes and tails. They were very attentive, with at least one pony staying close to me at all times. When the rain grew heavier, they headed deeper into the gorse for shelter.

At one point, a few ponies drifted south. When I went to check on them, I found them gathered around a family who were feeding them. I politely asked the family not to feed the ponies and explained why. The ponies soon wandered back over to me, and the family left shortly afterwards.

The ponies then returned to grazing, though by this stage they were thoroughly wet from the near-constant rain. During a particularly heavy shower, they sheltered under the trees in the far southwest corner, foraging for acorns among the fallen leaves. Once the rain eased, several of them emerged to rest or continue grazing.

I said my goodbyes at 15:40, leaving the ponies resting or grazing peacefully in the thicket near the trees. As I was leaving, Tilly followed me for some extra attention and thoroughly enjoyed another long neck and chin rub, responding with gentle cuddles and nuzzles.

While I was with the ponies, I noticed several pieces of fencing lying on the ground beside the bracken in the southwest corner, which I don’t recall seeing before. After my final goodbyes, I checked the fence at the cut‑through onto the racecourse and found it secure. I also walked the fence line outside the site from the main entrance to the far southwest corner by the racecourse, and that section was intact as well.

The ponies were all good today.

Saturday

 All found standing quietly in the trees at the far south western end of the site at 9.00. All looking fine. 

Friday 9th January - All 8 seen

At 14:20 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing contentedly in the pasture just north of the main entrance. They were all very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. Although still damp from the rain brought by Storm Goretti, they were gradually drying in the breeze.

After our greetings, the ponies alternated between grazing, resting, and returning for more attention. They particularly enjoyed long neck, shoulder, and back strokes, responding with gentle nuzzles and cuddles. Their coats were still somewhat matted from the rain, but the back rubs helped to smooth them out, and several seemed pleased to have the gorse removed from their manes and tails. All eight appeared happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Large puddles had formed on the nearby track, and several ponies wandered over to drink during my visit.

I said my goodbyes shortly after 15:50, as the ponies made their way onto the northern slope of Brock’s Hill to continue grazing.

The fence at the cut-through onto the racecourse continues to hold up well.

The ponies were all good today.

Wednesday 7th January - Staff Check

15.00 

All 8 ponies seen, all in high spirits. They all came over to say hello. All good. 

I'm sure this has been noted already but the dark bay pony with the collar has a bit of cracking to her back hooves. 

Cheers 

Zoe 

Tuesday 6th January - All 8 ponies seen

Having approached the site from the Peter Driver car park I checked the far SW corner of the site first from outside the fence and finding no ponies entered the site via the cattle grid.  At which point it started to snow and I had a scenic and snowy walk over Brock's Hill, around Brock's Hill out to the Test Track Gate, down towards the North of the site, over to the far NE corner to check the water and back up to Brock's Hill.  On the return, looking like a snowman, I was composing a "no show" post in my head and thought I would walk up into the SW corner just in case - and there they were exactly where I had first looked!  I can confirm that both the Gelvert stream and the hydrant 'spring' are flowing free of ice.

2pm, Mon 5th Jan, belated sorry! They were all near the cattle grid entrance

Nibbling on the gorse in the sunshine and looked well.  Two approached over the fence for a nose rub.  Also checked for water and the stream was flowing.