Monday 31st March - All 7 seen

The ponies were happily grazing in the sunshine near the pond at 14:00 this afternoon. They were all very friendly, taking turns to come over, say hello, and enjoy plenty of strokes. I received a lovely welcome, with lots of nuzzles and cuddles from the girls. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking really well. Since I had the day off and the weather was glorious, I decided to pay the ponies an extra visit.

I took the opportunity to apply more healing cream to the patch of dry skin on the darkest bay pony's neck. It was looking better than on Friday and was less noticeable today, so hopefully it continues to heal. I also spotted Tilly had a small graze near the bottom of her neck, which was attracting a few flies. I cleaned the area and applied some healing cream, which seemed to keep the flies away.

Although the bay pony's legs were looking much better today, I still applied healing cream to all four legs. She had just enjoyed a long neck rub and was super relaxed, so I thought I’d see how receptive she was. She was absolutely fine—even giving me gentle nuzzles as I applied the cream to her front legs.

The other bay pony was also showing great improvement. There was more hair growth in the patch above her right eye—almost to the point that if you didn’t know about it, you probably wouldn’t notice it. The hair on her neck continues to grow and thicken. She was very friendly again today, happily allowing me to stroke her neck for extended periods.

I said my goodbyes at 15:00, leaving the ponies happily grazing. Several had jumped the Gelvert Stream and were enjoying the fresh grass in the neighbouring pasture.

The ponies were all good today.

Sunday 30th March - All 7 seen

The ponies were grazing in the swampy area near ///bids.worlds.crunch in the northeast section of the site at 14:00 this afternoon. They were all very friendly, taking turns to say hello and enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. As they grazed north, they happily munched on straw-like grass, heather, and shoots sprouting through the large pools of water, but frequently wandered over to be fussed over. Unfortunately, I had to cut my visit short due to a work issue and said farewell to the girls at 15:00.

When I returned at 17:50, I found the ponies grazing in the pasture near the test track gate. Pandora greeted me with soft nickers before enjoying a long, relaxing neck rub. She was incredibly affectionate, offering the sweetest nuzzles and cuddles. Soon, the other ponies came over one by one to greet me and enjoy some strokes and rubs. They were all looking gorgeous in the evening sunshine. 

After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to grazing but stayed close by, eager for more strokes. Poppy thoroughly enjoyed having her back brushed while resting in the sunshine, shedding even more of her winter coat. Tilly loved a long chin and neck rub, rewarding me with endless nuzzles, while Pandora relished another long neck rub, completely relaxing and resting her eyes.

The ponies continued to graze, slowly moving west towards the pond as the sun began to set. I said my goodbyes just after 19:00. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The ponies were all good today.

Friday 28th March - All 7 seen

The ponies were happily grazing near ///innovate.span.shin, in the pasture east of Brock's Hill, at 14:10 this afternoon. They were enjoying the sunshine, with a pleasant breeze keeping most of the flies away. They were all incredibly friendly, coming over one by one to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. Pandora greeted me with soft nickers and thoroughly enjoyed the first of many neck rubs.

The ponies gradually grazed to the north, munching on plenty of heather and straw-like grass. When they reached the swampy area, they turned to the west, eventually grazing near ///dancer.beards.hoops. They frequently took turns to come over for more strokes, with several enjoying having their backs brushed. I noticed that the darkest bay pony had a small patch of dry skin on the right side of her neck, near her chin. I applied some healing cream to help soothe it.

When I wandered off to get the cream, Tilly followed me to the side of Brock's Hill and thoroughly enjoyed a lock neck rub. She was very affectionate, offering the most gorgeous nuzzles. She fully extended her neck so I could reach right under her chin. At one point, she even rested her chin on my shoulder and closed her eyes, completely relaxing. When I returned, she was happily munching on gorse, but quickly stopped for another round of strokes before accompanying me back to the group.

The bay pony’s legs continue to improve with each visit. There were no new bald patches today, and the hair regrowth on the existing ones is becoming more noticeable. The other bay pony was also showing clear signs of improvement, with significant new hair on the patch above her right eye. The hair on her neck is also getting thicker. Although she is still in slightly poorer condition than the others, she was happy, friendly, and enjoying plenty to eat.

I said my goodbyes at 16:00 with the ponies still happily grazing. Four remained in the area they had wandered to earlier, while the other three had ventured northeast into the swampy area.

 

The ponies were all good today.

Wednesday 26th March All 7 seen

The ponies were all grazing happily on the gorse this morning. Initially near the track, then moved to the corner next to the cross country course. And Pandora is demonstrating why that section of wire gets a bit saggy

Greta garbos legs are looking so much better. She does have a few scabby bits on her face that will need keeping an eye on. No hair loss (and I call her Greta Garbo as she likes to be slightly away from the other ponies…!)

Tuesday 25th March - All 7 seen

No effort was required to find the ponies this morning as they were all enjoying the sun on, or near, the track ~30m from the cattle grid at 0950.  Most were lying down soaking up some rays; they all appeared well and those lying down were disinclined to get on with a day of grazing and browsing.  

3pm Mon 24 Mar, nowhere to be seen by me today, so glad they were spotted earlier :)

It was nice though to meet David who was heading to the site to carry out a fence audit.

Monday 24th March - Staff Check

All seven ponies seen today, grazing in earnest on the move today and not that fussed about saying hello, though a couple did stop for pats. 

Judging by the photographs, the bay pony's legs (Greta Garbo?)  have not worsened at all which is good news. They are all looking very well. 

One of the light bay ponies is a little leaner than the others but as this group is new to me, it may not necessarily be a cause for concern. 

ZC 

Sunday 23rd March - All 7 seen

Six ponies were happily grazing in the pasture northeast of Brock's Hill near ///coached.prowl.divide at 14:20 this afternoon. Despite the swampy conditions, they weren't deterred from their grazing. Pandora saw me approaching and wandered through the mud to greet me with soft nickers. She enjoyed a long neck rub, rewarding me with the sweetest nuzzles. One by one, the other ponies came over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Poppy was grazing in the distance among the trees near the fence line to the northwest.

After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to grazing, slowly heading toward Brock's Hill. They frequently took breaks to come over for more strokes and rubs. After a while, Poppy arrived and came straight over to greet me. She was very affectionate, offering gentle nuzzles as she enjoyed a long, relaxing neck scratch. She’s really starting to shed her winter coat, revealing a gorgeous lighter summer coat. All seven ponies were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The bay pony’s legs are steadily improving each time I see her, though they were wet today from grazing in the swampy terrain. There were no raw patches, and hair regrowth is becoming more noticeable. The other bay pony also showed signs of improvement, with clear hair regrowth on the patches above both eyes. Her neck looked healthier too. She occasionally stopped to scratch against the trees, but it appeared to be normal grooming.

By 15:35, the ponies had reached the gorse bushes near ///chap.piglet.deaf when a persistent drizzle set in. Unfazed by the wet weather, they continued alternating between grazing and enjoying more strokes. I said my goodbyes around 16:10, leaving them still happily grazing—though they, like me, were rather wet by then.

The ponies were all good today.