Sunday 1st March - All 8 seen

At 13:20 this afternoon, a group of three ponies were happily grazing southeast of the pond, near ///bins.smokers.special. The other four were grazing further east towards the test track gate. The first three were very friendly, taking turns to come over, say hello, and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. After a while, I wandered down to see the other four, who were equally friendly and happy to receive neck and back scratches. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to grazing, and I split my time between the two groups. The girls regularly drifted back for more attention, thoroughly enjoying long head, neck, shoulder, and back rubs. They also seemed pleased to have loose gorse untangled from their manes and tails. The ponies relaxed completely, lowering their heads and resting a hind leg in contentment. The dun pony even drifted off to sleep at one point while having the sides of her neck scratched. She was especially affectionate, offering gentle nuzzles and even a few licks.

The group that had been grazing by the test track gate gradually drifted west and, by 15:00, had joined the others. The combined group continued to graze contentedly near the pond but took regular breaks to come over for more attention. The girls were a joy to spend time with this afternoon.

I said my goodbyes at 15:30, leaving them all peacefully grazing.

Saturday

 All found looking fine at 9am in the trees at the far south west corner. 

Friday 27th February - All 8 seen

At 15:00 this afternoon, the ponies were spread out grazing in the pasture east of Brock's Hill, near ///edges.relate.basically. They were all damp from the earlier rain, and I arrived just as the final shower was passing through. The girls were all very friendly, each taking a turn to come over, say hello, and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. All eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well. After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to grazing and gradually drifted towards Brock's Hill. At least one pony kept me company at all times, and they all thoroughly enjoyed long neck and back rubs. Poppy was especially affectionate, offering the sweetest nuzzles while having her withers scratched. Shortly after 16:00, the ponies reached the path along the eastern side of Brock's Hill, where they continued to graze, mainly on gorse. The sun appeared briefly, helping them to dry off. The girls enjoyed more strokes before moving on to graze on the hillside. Tilly particularly enjoyed a long neck and back rub, even dozing off while the sides of her neck were being stroked. I said my goodbyes at 16:45, leaving them all resting or grazing.

The ponies were all good today.

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.