3pm, Mon 9 Feb, all 8 on the side of Brock Hill, eating gorse

All looking relaxed and very friendly,a couple came over to say hello and received a stroke

Monday 9th February - All 8 seen - The chestnut pony has a sore left eye.

Despite the sun being out and it being the first dry day in a while, the ponies were gathered in the southwest corner at 12:40 this afternoon. Three were foraging for acorns among the fallen leaves at the woodland edge, one was browsing gorse, and the remaining four were resting among the trees. They were all very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. Everyone appeared happy and relaxed.

I was pleased to see that Tilly’s eye was looking much improved today. However, the chestnut pony had a teary left eye with some white discharge from the corner. When I first noticed her, a leaf was caught in her forelock and partially covered her eye; once this was removed, the issue became more noticeable. She didn’t appear to be in any discomfort, but was understandably nervous about me getting too close or attempting to clean it. I have shared photos with the owner.

The ponies continued to drift between foraging for acorns beneath the trees, browsing gorse in the surrounding bushes, and returning regularly for long neck and back rubs. I said my goodbyes at 13:30, leaving them peaceful and content in their surroundings.

Aside from the chestnut pony’s eye, the ponies were all good today.

Sunday 8th February - All 8 seen - Tilly has a sore left eye

Shortly before 15:30 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing among the gorse bushes on both sides of the path leading up Brock’s Hill. One by one, they emerged from the gorse and wandered down to greet me, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. The ponies were all dry, though their coats were matted from all the recent rain.

I noticed that Tilly has a sore left eye, with the surrounding soft tissue appearing puffy both above and below it. The eye itself looks clean, with no cloudiness or discharge, but she was keeping it partially closed. It appears she may have bumped it or irritated it on something such as a branch or gorse. The owner has been made aware.

The ponies alternated between grazing and returning for longer grooming sessions. They thoroughly enjoyed long neck and back rubs, especially after the loose gorse had been brushed from their coats and untangled from their manes and tails. Several offered cuddles and gentle nuzzles in return. They were all happy and relaxed.

The girls continued to wander over to spend time with me, clearly enjoying the attention. I said my goodbyes just after 17:05, leaving them peacefully grazing.

Except for Tilly's eye, the ponies were all good today.

Saturday

 All found at 10am in the woods alongside the racecourse. Rather wet but all ok. 

Friday 6th February - All 8 seen - The upright fence post at the racecourse cut-through would benefit from being driven further into the ground.

At 15:10 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing and foraging for acorns along the side of the racecourse near the cut-through. They were all wet from the earlier rain. The girls were very friendly, taking turns to come over and join me on the path for strokes and rubs. They seemed pleased to have the rain brushed from their backs and sides, and their coats ruffled to help them dry more quickly. All the ponies were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

After our initial greetings, the ponies drifted back to browsing in the nearby gorse or continued foraging for acorns. I was never without company, and they thoroughly enjoyed long neck, ear, and back scratches. They were very affectionate, offering gentle nuzzles and cuddles in return. When a couple of heavier showers passed through, they all gathered around me under the trees and bushes to shelter.

By 16:20, the ponies had moved to graze among the gorse bushes beside the path up Brock’s Hill, before heading onto the flatter, open ground nearby. They continued to return regularly for more fuss, clearly enjoying the attention.

I said my goodbyes at 16:55, leaving them grazing peacefully as another heavy shower moved through.

I also noted that the upright fence post at the front of the racecourse cut-through has become loose again and can be wiggled. It would benefit from being driven further into the ground during the next staff visit to secure it properly.

The ponies were all good today.

Tueaday 3rd - Fenceline Repair & All 8 Ponies Found And Well

Hi All, 

We were alterted to bit of the fenceline being low by todays looker Steve, we've put in a new post and tacked up the barb higher.Thanks so much for the temporary repair! 

We then set out to ensure all 8 ponies were still on site. We found them not too far from the spring corner, deep in the wooded area. 

Thanks so much for continuing to keep a good eye on them. 

Best wishes 

Grazing Team 

Tuesday 3rd February - ponies not seen

The ponies were not in their usual spots this morning, lots of clear hoof prints but no ponies at the end of the tracks. While hunting I came across a fallen fence post near the water main ‘spring’ in the NW corner leaving the fence low enough to step over. There were no hoof prints in the soft ground outside so hopefully the ponies are all still inside. I used my remaining time to make a temporary repair with a post I’d seen by the corral before calling the office to report.