11am, Mon 30th Dec, just 2 dark brown ponies on the gravel path adjacent to Tweseldown race course

They seemed well, alert and grazing on grass and gorse but no sign of the other 3

Sunday 29th December - All 5 seen

The ponies were happily grazing between the pond and the Gelvert Stream at 14:00 this afternoon. They were incredibly friendly, approaching me one by one to say hello and enjoy some strokes. I received countless cuddles and nuzzles from the girls, which was delightful. It was nice to see that they were dry for a change, and their coats were lovely and soft. They had obviously been grazing in the gorse bushes earlier, judging by the amount of gorse stuck to their backs and manes. They were happy to let me brush and unpick the bits for them.

After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to grazing, enjoying a mix of grass and gorse. Poppy was grazing in a large pool of water, nibbling on plants floating on the surface. She came over to the edge and enjoyed a long neck and ear rub while standing in the water. After a while, she stepped out, allowing me to reach her itchy spots more easily. The other ponies alternated between grazing and coming over for neck and back rubs.

The ponies gradually moved to the side of the pond, where they continued grazing. They took regular breaks and came back for more strokes. They were all very affectionate and seemed to enjoying the company. Megan was friendly and enjoyed plenty of strokes today, before venturing into an even bigger, deeper pool of water to munch on plants. She certainly wasn't bothered about getting her feet wet!

As I prepared to leave just after 16:00, Poppy came over for another long neck rub. Pandora, however, appeared reluctant to let me go, enjoying plenty of strokes and giving gentle nuzzles in return. Whenever I walked away, she followed, seeking more attention. By 16:20, it was nearly dark, so I had to say my final goodbyes. Looking back as I left, I saw the ponies crossing the path into the northern section of the site.

The ponies were all good today.

Friday 27th December - All 5 seen

It was a murky afternoon on Long Valley, with frequent fine drizzle and thickening fog throughout my visit.

The ponies were resting in the southwest corner of the site at 14:25 this afternoon. They were very friendly, approaching one by one to greet me and enjoy some strokes. Despite being quite damp, particularly around their faces, they were happy, relaxed, and in excellent condition.

After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to resting, forming a loose circle around me. They took turns coming over for more attention, with most enjoying long neck and back rubs. Megan was unusually friendly today, returning several times for neck strokes. Tilly was especially affectionate, staying close for extended neck strokes and offering gentle nuzzles in return.

At 15:20, the ponies grew hungry and wandered halfway up Brock's Hill before veering off to graze near ///frowns.greet.tell. They happily munched on heather from the side of the hill but continued to take regular breaks to come over for more strokes. Poppy particularly appreciated a long neck rub, relaxing completely before rewarding me with gentle nuzzles. I said my goodbyes to the girls at 16:00.

It was lovely to catch up with Steve and his wife this afternoon.

The ponies were all good today.

Friday 27th December - All 5 seen

The ponies were tucked away just to the south of the track as you enter over the cattle grid at 1415 today. They were either standing having a doze, grazing or browsing gorse.  All appeared well if a little damp.  

On our return from a walk through the gate into the Test Track enclosure we bumped into Gordon, surrounded by happy ponies.

Thursday 26th December - All 5 seen

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. 🎅🌲🎁

At 14:00 this afternoon, the five ponies were resting near the path by the side of the racecourse, close to ///pirates.boast.mealtime. They remained there throughout my visit. All were friendly, taking turns to come over and say hello and enjoy some strokes. They were very affectionate, offering lovely cuddles and nuzzles. Though slightly damp, they appeared happy, relaxed and in good condition.

The ponies alternated between resting and coming over for extended neck, back and ear rubs. They seemed to appreciate the company and stayed close to me the entire time, soaking up lots of attention. They were incredibly relaxed, often bowing their heads, closing their eyes, resting a hind leg, or even resting their heads on my shoulder. Around 15:40, they began venturing into the bushes to snack on gorse, but at least one pony always stayed behind with me. Megan was fine today and enjoyed long neck rubs like the others.

At 16:00, I said my goodbyes to the ponies. As I left, they followed me all the way to the exit, where they received some extra farewell strokes. I finally left about ten minutes later, and as I walked away, the ponies started grazing on the gorse.

The ponies were all good today.

Wednesday 25th December- Happy Christmas all 5 seen

The ponies were having gorse for their Christmas dinner today. All 5 ok, tucked away amongst the gorse and undergrowth and avoiding the Christmas Day walkers. Sad not to have the foal to hang out with but Megan was ok and happy

Tuesday 24th - Postponed visit

Was about to go out this morning when I read Gordon’s post. It’s a good lesson as I would have arrived not long after he left and would have been hunting for the foal. Sorry you’ve lost your friend Gordon!

Tuesday 24th December - Pony Update - now 5 ponies on site

The ponies were grazing peacefully in the pasture near the test track gate at 09:40 this morning. As I walked along the path, they noticed me and wandered over to greet me. They were all incredibly friendly, coming over individually to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Although it felt strange not to receive the usual cuddles and nuzzles from the foal, the girls were very welcoming and affectionate.

The ponies slowly made their way up the path towards Brock's Hill, often stopping to enjoy long neck and back rubs. Judging by the amount of gorse stuck to their coats, they must have been snacking on it earlier in the morning. They seemed happy to have it brushed off. Poppy was especially friendly and thoroughly enjoyed having the sides of her neck stroked and scratched. She rewarded me with gentle nuzzles before fully relaxing, bowing her head, and resting a hind leg. The girls stayed close by, appearing to enjoy some company. They all looked happy, relaxed, and in excellent condition.

At around 10:20, Nicky arrived, bringing Megan back to Longvalley. As I moved further up the path to help with Megan's unloading, the ponies followed, their curiosity piqued. When Megan emerged from the trailer, the group remained calm, greeting her briefly before all of them began grazing together. It was wonderful to see them welcome Megan back without any fuss. Megan came over to greet me briefly before rejoining the group to graze. With her return, the Longvalley reserve is now home to five ponies.

After Nicky left, the ponies moved to the eastern side of Brock's Hill, where they continued to graze. They came over for more strokes before I said my goodbyes at around 10:45. The ponies were calm and relaxed.

 

The ponies were all good today.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!!

4pm, Mon 23 Dec - none seen today

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Monday 23rd December - Pony Update - now 4 ponies on site

At 12:30 this afternoon, the ponies were happily grazing near ///rebel.ballots.sides in the pasture northeast of Brock's Hill. The foal was the first to notice me approaching and eagerly trotted over, nickering softly as he came closer. He greeted me with affectionate cuddles and nuzzles before enjoying his usual long neck rub. It was wonderful to spend some one-on-one time with him before the other ponies wandered over to say hello. The girls were all very friendly, happily receiving strokes and rubs. They looked happy, relaxed, and in excellent condition.

The ponies slowly moved towards Brock's Hill, reaching the track by about 13:15. As they made their way, they frequently took breaks from grazing to return for more strokes. The foal especially enjoyed a long, relaxing back rub while grazing. Once they reached the track, most of the ponies stopped for a drink from the puddles before continuing to graze. Tilly and Poppy snacked on gorse, while the others preferred nibbling on heather along the hill’s slope.

By 13:50, the ponies had reached the west end of Brock's Hill just as Nicky and Jackie arrived. This marked a bittersweet moment, as it was the day my gorgeous boy would leave Longvalley for pastures new. The “little one” needs to be microchipped and issued a New Forest Pony passport before spending the next few months in a warm barn alongside this year's other foals. Watching him grow up over the last almost eight months has been an absolute joy.

We successfully guided Megan and her foal into the corral and then into the trailer. Although the foal was understandably hesitant—it being his first time in a trailer—he soon followed his mum inside and quickly settled. With their departure, only four ponies remain on the Longvalley reserve, though Megan is expected to return soon.

While the foal was being loaded, the remaining four ponies, who had been grazing near the corral, suddenly bolted off at high speed. After saying goodbye to Nicky and Jackie, I went to check on them. By 15:10, I found them in the swampy, waterlogged northeast corner near ///smiled.amazed.dares. Pandora came to greet me, and the group quickly relaxed upon seeing a familiar face. They were happy to accept a few treats, enjoyed strokes, and leaned into long neck rubs. I said my goodbyes just after 15:45, with the ponies contentedly munching on heather.

The ponies were all good today.