Friday 18th April - Pony Update - no ponies on site

The ponies were happily grazing just off the main path near the test track gate at 12:40 this afternoon. Both were very friendly, each taking turns to come over, say hello, and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. They were especially affectionate, clearly enjoying their long neck rubs and rewarding me with gentle nuzzles. The girls were happy, relaxed, and in excellent condition.

It was lovely to spend some quiet, peaceful time with them.  The visit also brought back fond memories of the special times spent with Megan and her beautiful foal, who continues to thrive 🥰❤️.

Nicky arrived shortly after 13:15 to take the girls back to the New Forest for their holidays. Sadly, this means there are currently no ponies on the Long Valley reserve.

The ponies were all good today.

Thursday 17th April - Pony Update - now 2 ponies on site

The ponies were happily grazing to the west of Brock's Hill at 13:05 this afternoon. They were very friendly, each coming over one by one to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. Pandora was especially affectionate, thoroughly enjoying her usual long neck rub and rewarding me with the sweetest nuzzles and cuddles. The ponies were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At around 13:35, Nicky arrived to take three of the ponies back to the New Forest for their holidays. That leaves just two ponies now on the Long Valley reserve. They'll all be sorely missed, especially the gorgeous Pandora, whose cuddles and nuzzles have become a real highlight of my visits. She has matured into such a gentle and affectionate pony.

After Nicky left just after 14:00, the two remaining ponies had a brief run around, but came trotting back as soon as they saw I was still there. They quickly settled down again, happily accepting more strokes and a few treats. I said my goodbyes at 14:30, leaving them both content and relaxed, grazing near the path that leads up to Brock’s Hill.

 

The ponies were all good today.

Wednesday 16th April- sorry wasn’t to go today

I had an accident with one of my horses and ended up in A&E so wasn’t able to go today. Should be able to drive by next week

Tuesday 15th April - All 5 seen

All five ponies were on the top of Brock's Hill at 1030 this morning, four standing together like statues on the crest facing NW and fifth slightly further down facing the same way.  They stayed like this while I walked around, eyes half closed and not interested in grazing.  The all appeared well.

Monday 14th All 5 seen

Sunday 13th April - All 5 seen

Shortly before I arrived at 14:30, a heavy rain shower had passed through. The ponies were wet, but didn’t seem the slightest bit bothered. I found them happily grazing on the east slope of Brock's Hill, their sandy coats suggesting they'd recently been rolling around. They were all incredibly friendly, each taking turns to come over and enjoy the first of many strokes and rubs. Megan was particularly friendly today. She was the first to come over, thoroughly enjoying a long neck and chin rub, and rewarded me with the sweetest nuzzles. As soon as we were done, she had a playful roll right beside me, clearly enjoying herself. Not long after, the ponies wandered into the pasture to the east, grazing on heather and straw-like grass, but continued to return regularly for more strokes. They dried out quickly from the earlier rain. Throughout the afternoon, the girls relished long grooming sessions and loved being brushed, shedding more of their winter coats. They were all very affectionate, showering me with nuzzles, head rubs, and even a few licks. Pandora was especially affectionate, spending long stretches by my side, clearly enjoying the fuss. I don’t think I’ve ever received as many nuzzles and cuddles from her as I did today. By 16:20, the ponies had continued their loop around the pasture and ended up grazing in the wet, swampy area near ///group.cares.frail. They were happily munching on the fresh shoots poking through the surface of the water. Poppy was grazing contentedly on her own a little further east. I said my goodbyes at 16:30, leaving them all peacefully grazing. The ponies were all good today.

Away and unable to ‘look’ on Mon 14 April, Carolyn

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Friday 11th April - All 5 seen

The ponies were happily grazing near the corral at 15:30 this afternoon, enjoying the warm sunshine. Although the heat had brought out the flies, they didn't seem too bothered. They were all very friendly, coming over one by one to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Pandora greeted me with soft nickers and thoroughly enjoyed a long neck rub, rewarding me with the sweetest nuzzles and cuddles. All the ponies looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

After a while, they began seeking shade beneath the nearby trees and bushes but continued to return regularly for more strokes and rubs. Several of them loved having their necks and backs brushed as they continue to shed their winter coats. I also took the opportunity to apply more healing cream to the dry patch on the darkest bay pony’s neck, as well as to a couple of small bald spots on her chest near her front legs.

By 16:35, all the ponies had settled in the trees in the southwest corner of the site. They quickly relaxed, clearly more comfortable in the cooler shade. The girls were happy for me to wander among them, offering each some extra strokes and rubs—and I was rewarded with plenty of affectionate nuzzles in return.

Then, a little unexpectedly, around 17:05, they began to wander back out to graze, happily munching on grass and gorse. It seemed they’d cooled off and were ready for more dinner. I said my goodbyes at 17:30, but Pandora followed me out to the main path, clearly not ready for me to leave. She enjoyed one final round of strokes before reluctantly letting me go, walking with me all the way to the cattle grid. 

The ponies were all good today.

Thursday 10th April - Pony Update - now 5 ponies on site

The ponies were grazing in the pasture west of Brock's Hill, near the main entrance, at 10:00 this morning. They were very friendly, coming over one by one to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. Tilly was especially affectionate, greeting me with soft nickers, before settling in for a long, relaxing neck rub and rewarding me with gorgeous nuzzles. All the ponies were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At around 10:45, Nicky arrived to take Philippa and Tilly back to the farm. That leaves five ponies on Long Valley now. I’ll certainly miss them, especially the gorgeous Tilly, whose cuddles and nuzzles have become such a cherished part of my visits.

The remaining ponies were fine and settled quickly after Nicky left.  They began grazing along the path by the racecourse, then moved to the pasture southeast of Brock's Hill, enjoying the sunshine. They frequently came over for more strokes and rubs. Pandora thoroughly enjoyed a long neck rub, fully relaxing and even resting her head on my shoulder.

I said my goodbyes around 12:15, and as I walked back past where I’d first seen them, the girls followed me. When I reached the cattle grid, a few began neighing repeatedly, so I stayed a while longer to make sure they were settled. We ended up in the shade under the trees in the southwest corner, where they began to rest, clearly preferring the cooler conditions. After one last round of strokes, I said farewell just before 13:00, leaving them all peacefully relaxing.

The ponies were all good today.

Thursday 10 Staff Check

 All 7 seen just off the track by the entrance, looking well. Gordon was also there, there may be some pony movements today but he will update the blog later

Wednesday 9th April- 6.5 seen

Well 6 ponies and a disappearing tail seen… all ok, but I’ve added a photo of the black pony’s hooves, particularly off fore. Also the bay pony I call Greta Garbo has quite an itchy scabby face.