Wed 25th Feb - staff check

All 8 ponies seen well along the main track 

Tuesday 24th February - All 8 ponies seen

The ponies were spread out on the eastern side of Brock's Hill at 1530 today enjoying the low sunlight.  All appeared well.  The chestnut pony has some old marks from the gungey eye on her face but the eye itself now looks clear.

Mon 23 Feb, all strolling along the path at the side of Tweseldown heading towards the test track gate

Eating gorse along the way and didn’t approach me today.  They seemed good.

Sunday 22nd February - All 8 seen

At 14:30 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing east of the path alongside the racecourse, enjoying the warm sunshine. They took turns coming over to say hello and happily accepted plenty of strokes and rubs. The girls were relaxed, content, and looking well.

As the afternoon went on, they gradually moved west, alternating between foraging for acorns beneath the trees along the fence line, browsing gorse, and returning for longer neck and back rubs. Several enjoyed having their backs and sides brushed, as well as gorse removed from their manes and tails. Before long, some began to rest beside the path, carefully positioning themselves to remain in the sunshine. They were happy to be approached for more strokes, fully relaxing and even closing their eyes.

By 16:50, the ponies had moved further west towards the bend in the main path. Most were browsing gorse, while a couple continued foraging for acorns in the soft, muddy ground. I said my goodbyes shortly afterwards, although one pony followed me, keen for some uninterrupted final strokes. After about ten minutes, I quietly slipped away, leaving her resting peacefully.

The ponies were all good today.

Saturday

 All found at 8.30 on the open ground to the east of the hill. All looking relaxed and well munching on the gorse. 

Friday 20h February - All 8 seen

At 14:00 this afternoon, the ponies were sheltering from the rain under the trees in the southwest corner. Tilly spotted me approaching and came out to greet me with soft nickers, before thoroughly enjoying a long neck and ear rub. The other ponies were just as friendly, taking turns to come over and say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. The girls were all dry, so they had obviously retreated under the trees when the rain started. After our initial greetings, the ponies alternated between foraging for acorns, eating holly, and returning for more attention. Most enjoyed long grooming sessions and appreciated having their necks and backs brushed, with gorse carefully removed from their manes and tails. They were completely at ease—resting a hind leg and even closing their eyes. All were happy, content, and looking well. The chestnut pony still had a small amount of discharge in the corner of her left eye. Otherwise, her eye looked fine and didn't appear to be causing her any issues. A close-up photo has been shared with the owner. Later in my visit, after emerging from the trees to graze and getting caught in a shower, her eye appeared cleaner, as the rain seemed to have washed it. Around 15:15, the rain eased, and the ponies started venturing out from under the trees to graze among the gorse bushes in the surrounding area. At one point, the sun even came out briefly, before another rain shower passed through. The ponies frequently returned to enjoy more neck and back scratches. I said my goodbyes at 16:00, only for the girls to follow me out onto the path near the main entrance, clearly not ready for me to leave them. After a final round of strokes, I slipped away and watched them start to graze among the gorse near the entrance. Just as I was leaving, Alice arrived to carry out her staff check. The ponies were all good today.

Friday 20th - Staff Check

 All 8 were right by the gate, looking well if a little "too" inquisitive (I didn't appreciate them trying to lick the steering wheel)