Sunday 15th September - Pony Update - All 5 seen

After meeting Nicky on-site, we set off on a long search for the ponies, surprised they hadn't come to meet us when they heard the trailer crossing the cattle grid. We searched everywhere, including the far northeast corner, but with no luck. Eventually, at 13:10, I found all three grazing among the trees near ///buying.dice.hike. They hadn’t been there earlier. The ponies were friendly and came over to say hello, with the foal pausing from munching grass to enjoy a neck rub, greeting me with cuddles and licks.

After a short while, the ponies followed me almost all the way back to Brock's Hill before getting spooked and running back into the trees. Nicky and I tried again, and this time they happily followed us the entire way. Once they settled down, Nicky introduced two new ponies to the group. Both were familiar faces returning to Long Valley. The girls eagerly left the horsebox and began exploring their new home. It was great to see them both again, looking so good.

The ponies began grazing on the northern slope of Brock's Hill. As they started to mix, there were a few squeals and some running around as they got reacquainted. Megan and Pandora were understandably protective of the foal, but everything was fine as we watched. Things gradually calmed down, and the ponies approached one by one for strokes. The two newcomers enjoyed back rubs, while the foal nursed before coming over for more attention, thoroughly enjoying his neck rubs. He was so relaxed, resting a hind leg and lowering his head. The group slowly moved east, continuing to graze along the hill.

I kept an eye on the ponies until 15:00 before saying my goodbyes. As I left, they had just crossed the path and wandered into the southwest corner. They were all fine, though it will take a few days for them to fully settle in.

The ponies were all good today.