Wednesday 20th august- all 3 seen

3 ponies happy and well eating grass. Cooler today so no flies. Smallest mare has a big horsefly bite by her withers, but bothered by it.

water in pond is low and gnarly but there is still some there

Thanks for checking water levels

 Hello,

Just wanted to thank you all for checking the water levels so regularly - it's very reassuring!

At last it's a bit cooler!!

Tuesday 19th August - All 3 seen

All three were by the track to the south of Brock's Hill at 1000 this morning.  When I arrived two were on the hill side of the track and I found the third a little further along on the racetrack side.  All three are well.  The pond still has water, as does the hydrant trickle but the Gelvert remains dry.

12.15, Mon 18 Aug, all 3 down by test track gate. Looking good.

2 on the pathway and one just to the right, all grazing on grass and seemed well.  They acknowledged me with a few snorts and tail swish but then kept eating. A muggy cloudy day and fewer flies bothering them today.

Sunday 17th August - All 3 seen

At 17:35 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing contentedly along the side of the racecourse, near the corner at ///earl.anthems.hikes. Davinia was the first to spot me and walked along to greet me with soft nickers before enjoying some strokes. The other two soon followed, also keen for plenty of strokes and rubs. As it was still rather warm, the girls chose to graze in the shade of the large trees along the fence line.

After a while, they returned to grazing but came back one by one for long grooming sessions. I removed sticky burs and gorse from their manes and tails before giving their necks, shoulders, and backs a good brush. They loved the attention and were completely at ease, often rewarding me with cuddles and nuzzles. All three looked happy, relaxed, and in excellent condition.

By 18:45, we had made our way up to the main entrance, where the ponies alternated between grazing and coming over for more strokes and rubs. They enjoyed plenty of fresh grass, leaves from the bushes, and even some gorse. By 19:15, they had moved on to graze among the bracken in the pasture north of Brock’s Hill. I said my goodbyes soon after, but they followed me to the hydrant sign when I went to check the water levels. All three took a refreshing drink from the larger pool, which was still trickling into the surrounding area.

Afterwards, they went back to grazing in the cooler conditions, enjoying the long grass in the pasture near ///slopes.smiles.erupts. After another round of strokes and rubs, I said a final goodbye at 19:35.

Before leaving, I checked the pond, where water levels were fine as a backup source for the girls. However, the water there is rather stagnant and dirty, so I expect they’ll continue to prefer the fresher supply by the fire hydrant sign.

The ponies were all good today.

Thursday 14th August - All 3 seen

After a long search, including a trip over to the far northeast corner, the ponies finally appeared at 19:10 this evening, grazing in the pasture east of Brock's Hill. After my comments on Sunday, I was definitely overdue a long search.

The girls were very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. They looked gorgeous in the last of the evening sunshine. After a while, they returned to grazing, eager to enjoy the fresh grass and leaves from the nearby bushes in the cooler temperatures. They often took breaks, returning for longer neck and shoulder rubs, offering gentle nuzzles in return. All three were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 19:35, they had reached the track along the east side of Brock's Hill, stopping briefly for a rest before carrying on grazing on the slope of the hill. One by one, they returned for more attention, enjoying long grooming sessions and clearly loving having their necks and backs brushed. They were completely at ease—resting a hind leg and even closing their eyes.

Drinking water was available near the fire hydrant sign and in the surrounding area where it trickles into, although the supply has noticeably reduced in recent days. The pond still had water, but at the lowest level I’ve seen.

I said my goodbyes at 20:10, surprised by how quickly darkness was falling, and left the girls peacefully grazing near the top of the hill.

The ponies were all good today.

Wednesday 13th August - all 3 seen

Having stomped round the woods first, found the ponies on the track at 7.30 this morning … all 3 fine. But all 3 were coming to me and followed hoping for treats (even Pandora!) so it looks like a member of the public has been feeding them unfortunately. The no feeding signs are all still there. I did wonder if there needs to be a very simple direct DO NOT FEED THE PONIES sign. Just a thought.

Just seen the note about the pond so sorry no photos but water is low and manky. Small stream in the woods is still there

Pond

 Hello all,

Please may I ask that we also keep an eye on the water levels in the pond for the ponies as this dry spell looks like it's continuing. Any comments on here are always helpful.

Thanks very much indeed.

Tuesday 12th August - All 3 seen

The ponies were tucked up in the SW corner of the site at 0950 this morning moving in a tight circle indulging in some mutual tail swishing to deter the flies.  They all appeared well but welcomed some Gordon style fly removal with muzzle and forehead strokes.  The water in the pool formed by the hydrant 'spring' is still present but the pool appears smaller.

11-12pm, Mon 11 Aug, none seen today despite a good look

I thought I’d visit the site before the temp rose today but no sign of them.  I even looked into some of the nice denser shady areas that back along the Aldershot Road but no luck either.  

Sunday 10th August - All 3 seen

At 17:50 this afternoon, Pandora emerged from the thicket and wandered northwest to meet me in the pasture near ///delved.albums.wished, northeast of Brock's Hill. She was very affectionate, greeting me with soft nickers before enjoying a neck rub and offering the sweetest cuddles. The other two soon followed, coming straight over for a hello and some strokes. I was glad that Pandora spotted me and approached — otherwise, I suspect I would have had a long search for them this evening.

The ponies alternated between grazing in the warm sunshine and taking turns to spend time with me. Each enjoyed long neck, shoulder, and back rubs, rewarding me with gentle nuzzles and head rubs. They were all happy, relaxed, and in excellent condition. However, the flies were out in force, prompting frequent tail swishes and foot stamping. The ponies were content to stand close while I brushed the flies from their faces. At one point, Pandora wandered off for a good roll in the dusty earth to get some relief. Feeling sorry for them, I returned to the car for fly treatment. Each pony had a small amount applied — not that they were overly impressed — but they did enjoy a few treats as a reward. By 18:30, they had set off for the wooded area by the fire hydrant for a drink.

I caught up with them again at 18:45 near ///uttering.scale.mess, along the Aldershot Road fence line opposite the Velmead Woods car park. They were grazing happily among the trees, enjoying the cooler conditions. They once again took turns to come over for more strokes and rubs. Gradually, they moved southeast, thoroughly enjoying the long grass and leafy bushes.

I said my goodbyes just after 19:20, leaving them all peacefully grazing near ///nightcap.dull.stays. 

The ponies were all good today.

Friday 8th August - All 3 seen

Shortly after 18:00 this evening, the ponies wandered up the hill from the side of the Tweseldown racecourse, arriving one by one to say hello and enjoy some strokes. They were all very affectionate, leaning in for neck and shoulder rubs, and offering cuddles and gentle nuzzles in return. Each had gorse and sticky burrs tangled in their manes, which they were happy for me to remove. It was a real pleasure to spend some quiet time with each of them, watching them fully relax and revel in the attention. All three were happy, content, and in excellent condition. After a while, they began grazing in the surrounding area, regularly returning for more affection. Once they had grazed the fresh grass along the sides of the path, they climbed halfway up Brock’s Hill before cutting through the bushes to graze in the pasture near ///move.tweed.driven as the evening cooled. The girls looked beautiful in the last of the afternoon sunshine. Gradually, they made their way down the northern slope of the hill to graze near the track. I said my goodbyes at 19:15, leaving them all peacefully grazing.

The ponies were all good today.

all 3 found

Wednesday 6th august- none seen

unfortunately it was a no show for me this morning. Had a good look but the ponies were elusive today

Tuesday 5th August - All 3

The ponies were on the track due south of the Brock's Hill at 1230 today. They were happily grazing on the short grass either side of the track and looked very well. They each had plenty of flies on their faces.

3.30pm, Mon 4 Aug, all 3 seen at the fence line next to Tweseldown race course

And again later near the cattle grid.  They seemed calm and well, not too many flies today and all happily eating the grass

Sunday 3rd August - All 3 seen

At 14:10 this afternoon, the ponies were resting in the woodland at the far northeast corner of the site, near ///conspire.soon.after. As I approached, I was greeted by a lovely chorus of nickers. One by one, the girls came over to say hello, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well, though they were being bothered by a large number of flies.

The ponies stayed close, taking turns to come over and enjoy long neck and back rubs, while the others rested. They were especially affectionate, offering gentle cuddles and sweet nuzzles. After a while, they all gathered around me, content to stand close together, hoping I'd help keep the flies away from their faces.

Just before 15:20, the ponies began grazing, enjoying the abundance of leaves from the surrounding trees. I said my goodbyes a little later, leaving them peacefully grazing. As I walked away, they started to follow but were soon distracted by a large patch of long, lush grass, where they stopped to eat.

The ponies were all good today.

Friday 1st August - All 3 seen

At 18:20 this evening, the ponies were grazing near ///irritate.puts.recruiter, northeast of Brock's Hill, close to the trees at the centre of the site. They all looked well and were enjoying the abundance of lush, long grass. One by one, they wandered over to say hello and happily received some strokes. They were all happy, relaxed, and in excellent condition.

After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to grazing in the surrounding area. Before long, they began taking turns coming back over to spend time with me, enjoying long neck and shoulder rubs and responding with gentle nuzzles and cuddles.  They eventually resumed grazing but stayed close, continuing to enjoy back rubs while they ate.

I said my goodbyes at 19:10, leaving them peacefully grazing. As I walked away, a brief shower passed through,  prompting the ponies to seek shelter under the trees.

Earlier in the evening, I took a walk around the site, including the northeast corner. It was great to see that yesterday’s heavy rain had created extra drinking spots for the girls, including fresh water in the Gelvert Stream near ///tenses.pirate.freshest.

The ponies were all good today.