Thursday 28th August - Pony Update - No ponies on the Long Valley site

Due to an unusually early and plentiful acorn crop this year, we've made the decision to temporarily relocate the ponies from the Long Valley reserve to a nearby site. Acorns are toxic to ponies, and since the girls have been actively seeking them out, this move is the safest option to protect their health.

Thank you for your continued help in looking after the ponies. We'll keep you informed about when the ponies will be returning to Long Valley.

Wednesday 27th august- none seen

Unfortunately a no show today, though I did get pictures of the water. It rained whilst I was checking; enough for me to get wet but not enough to make a meaningful difference to the ground or water levels

Tuesday 26th August - All 3 seen

The first pony emerged from the gorse to my left as I crossed the cattle grid at around noon today. Turning left on the track I found a second one down toward the chestnut tree. The first one followed me down making two but number three remained in hiding. After a walk back around the main track and over Brock's Hill I returned to the chestnut tree to find number three emerging from the thick gorse north of the gate.  All three were damp from the rain with flies on their faces but well and contentedly grazing.

Monday 25th August - All 3 seen

As I was passing by Long Valley, I stopped off to spend a little extra time with the ponies due to the Bank Holiday.

At 16:00 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing contentedly in the warm sunshine to the east of Brock's Hill. They were very friendly, each coming over in turn to say hello and enjoy long neck and back rubs. The girls were especially affectionate, offering gentle nuzzles, cuddles, and the occasional lick. Encouragingly, the lumps and bumps on the ponies looked less pronounced today. All three appeared happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

After our greetings, they returned to grazing but stayed close by, frequently coming back for more attention. As it got warmer, they gradually moved into the shade, using the gorse bushes for cover. By 16.25, they had crossed the path and made their towards the bushes near ///ripen.frog.secret, where they enjoyed the long grass and various leaves in the cool shade.

A little later, Pandora wandered deeper into the thicket, reaching the racecourse fence line, where she began foraging for acorns. In all the time we've had ponies at Long Valley, this is the first time I've seen them seeking out acorns, which are poisonous due to their high tannin content. Fortunately, it appeared she only found a few before following me back to the others, who were still munching on the long grass among the bushes at the edge of the pasture. Hopefully, she quickly realises there are far better things to eat, but this will need monitoring closely to prevent it from becoming a problem.

I said my goodbyes at 16:45, leaving them all grazing peacefully.

The ponies were all good today.

Mon 25 Aug, all 3 seen at the base of Brock Hill

All looked fine and grazing happily

Sunday 24th August - All 3 seen

At 18:10 this evening, after a long search, I found the ponies grazing in the pasture near ///craft.listening.princes, over in the northeast section of the site. They were very friendly, each taking turns to come over to greet me and enjoy plenty of stokes and rubs. I noticed a few small lumps and bumps on their sides, likely from insect bites, but they didn't appear to be causing any discomfort.

After a while, the ponies returned to grazing, happily munching on long grass and browsing the leaves of nearby bushes. One by one, they came back over to spend time with me, thoroughly enjoying long neck and back rubs, and rewarding me with affectionate cuddles and gentle nuzzles. All three looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

I said my goodbyes shortly before 19:30, leaving them peacefully grazing. As I walked away, they began to follow but were soon distracted by a large patch of long grass, where they stopped to eat.

Fresh drinking water was available near the fire hydrant sign and in the surrounding area where it trickles into. The supply has returned to normal levels after being reduced for a few days. The pond still had water too, but the ponies continue to prefer drinking from the hydrant.

The ponies were all good today.

Friday 22nd August - All 3 seen

At 17:15 this afternoon, I was given a lovely welcome, with the ponies coming to meet me at the main entrance and greeting me with soft nickers. They were very affectionate, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs, and rewarding me with cuddles and nuzzles. With plenty of flies around, they were happy to stand in the shade while being fussed over. All three looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

To encourage the girls away from the entrance, we wandered around the corner, where they began grazing on the slope of Brock’s Hill. They tucked into fresh grass and heather before crossing the track to graze closer to the perimeter fence. Around 18:00, they made their way down to the fire hydrant for a drink—there was still plenty of water available—before resting in the shade of the trees and enjoying long neck rubs.

By 18:20, the ponies had moved south to graze in the shade of the trees and bushes, where there were far fewer flies. They were happy to be brushed as they grazed on the long grass. By 19:00, they had moved further southwest, happily munching on grass growing among the gorse and bracken, nibbling at the gorse as they passed. I said my goodbyes a short while later, leaving them grazing contentedly.

The ponies were all good today.

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