Mon 30 June, none seen and too hot to go exploring too far

The cows were in the woods according to the No fence but no sign of the ponies.  I just did a walk through today and looked from the hill but couldn’t see them.  

Aiming to remove the 3 cattle this Wed

 Hello,

Thanks for the info that the water level in the pond has dropped over the weekend. I have asked our grazing team to remove the 3 cows as a precaution. They plan to remove them this Wed.

For info I thought I'd mention that we'd now finished fence repairs around Brocks Hill; all rotten posts have been replaced and we have added a piece of post and rail in the SW corner, with TD, to reduce any possibility of the ponies pushing that corner of the fence. 

Thanks for all your help checking the livestock!!

Sunday 29th June - All 6 seen - Drinking water levels are becoming a concern

At 19:00 this evening, steers 178 and 257 were gathered near ///rigs.accent.casual. Steer 178 was lying down, resting comfortably, while it appeared steer 257 had only recently stood up. They'd chosen a cool, shaded spot, with the sun largely blocked by the tall trees behind them. Meanwhile, steer 75 was happily grazing about 80 metres to the southeast near ///this.stowing.admit. All three were content, relaxed, and in good condition.

After a thorough search, I was returning from the northeast corner of the site when, at 19:50, I heard a chorus of gentle nickers as I approached the main path near ///towel.they.happy. The ponies were standing there watching me approach, and eagerly came over to say hello when I reached them. All three were very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs, offering cuddles and affectionate nuzzles in return. It was pleasantly cool in that area, with the bushes providing good shelter from the last of the sun. While waiting for their turn, the ponies either grazed along the sides of the path or relaxed, resting a hind leg. All three were happy, relaxed, and in good health. 

I said my goodbyes at 20:30, leaving them peacefully resting by the path, a little closer to the Test Track gate.

While searching for the ponies, I'd passed the steers again — by then, all were up and grazing together near the spot where steer 75 had been earlier. Encouragingly, steer 257 appears to have fully recovered from his previous injury.

I also noted that the water levels in the pond have dropped significantly since Friday. Although some water remains, it’s no longer particularly deep or easily accessible, especially for the steers. Fortunately, drinking water is still available near the fire hydrant sign and in the surrounding area, where the water continues to trickle east. However, with more hot weather forecast this week, the situation is becoming a concern.

The cows and the ponies were all good today.

Saturday 28 June - All 6 seen

At 19:30 this evening, the ponies were happily grazing in the last of the evening sun in the pasture east of Brock's Hill, near ///saves.deed.typed. They were very friendly, coming over as soon as they saw me to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs.

Before long, the ponies returned to grazing but would frequently wander over for more strokes as they gradually moved northeast. They all looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition. Pandora was absolutely fine this evening.

At 20:05, I checked on the cattle, who were happily grazing in the northeast corner of the site near ///unite.jigging.judges. They were in the thicket, enjoying plenty of long grass. All appeared content, relaxed, and in good health.

I returned to the ponies shortly after 20:15 and found them grazing in the thicket near ///stung.shaky.fishnet. Pandora came straight over for another long neck rub, rewarding me with affectionate nuzzles and a few licks. After a while, she rejoined the others, and they continued grazing near the completely dry Gelvert Stream.

I said my goodbyes at 20:30, leaving them peacefully grazing. As I walked away, all three ponies disappeared into the thicket to the north.

 

The cows and the ponies were all good today.

Friday 27th June - All 6 seen - Evening Visit

At 17:45 this afternoon, steers 75 and 257 were lying down to the east of Brock's Hill, relaxing in the sunshine and chewing their cud. Although there were quite a few flies about, the boys didn't seem too bothered. Nearby, steer 178 was resting in the shade across the path to the south, near ///flirts.qualifier.flap. He was happy to be approached and enjoyed a head and neck rub, which also helped keep the flies at bay. All three steers appeared content and in good condition.

At 18:00, while spending time with steer 178, I spotted the ponies making their way along the track east of Brock's Hill. It almost felt as though they were looking for me, with Pandora the first to notice and wander over. I went to meet her halfway at the main path. Steer 178 seemed a little unsettled by the approaching ponies, got to his feet, and made his way over to join the other two steers. Before long, all three had wandered off to graze further east.

Pandora was incredibly friendly, greeting me with soft nickers before enjoying the first of many neck rubs. She responded with gentle cuddles and nuzzles, and it was lovely to see her fully herself again, showing no signs of discomfort. The other two ponies soon followed, each taking turns to come over for strokes and rubs. For the next hour, they stayed close by, alternating between grazing and coming over for attention.  It was a real pleasure to spend some quiet, relaxing time with them.

Around 19:00, the ponies made their way down the main path, heading to graze in the shaded pasture near the pond, where a refreshing breeze helped keep them cool. They continued alternating between grazing on the fresh grass and coming over for more attention. I was particularly pleased to see Pandora urinating normally this evening, with no sign of the slight straining she’d shown last night.

I said my goodbyes at 19:45, leaving them all peacefully grazing. All three ponies were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The cows and the ponies were all good today.

Friday 27th June - All 6 seen - Morning Visit

At 07:15 this morning, the cows, and the ponies were gathered in the far northeast corner of the site, near ///wrist.clinic.glory. The boys were still lying down under the trees, looking as though they hadn’t got up yet. They weren't even registering on the tracking map. Steer 257 was snoozing on this side, but soon woke up. All the boys appeared happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

The ponies were grazing nearby in the long grass. Pandora was the first to come over and greet me. She seemed well and was happy to be stroked all over, including her back and sides, showing no signs of discomfort. She particularly enjoyed a long neck rub. The other two ponies were equally friendly, happily accepting neck, back, and wither rubs between their grazing time.

I left at 08:15, with the boys still relaxing under the trees and the ponies following me out of the wooded area before starting to graze in the sunshine.

The cows and the ponies were all good this morning. I was especially pleased to see that Pandora was well and not showing any of the signs of discomfort she had been during the first part of my visit last night.

I will check on them later in the day as normal.

Thursday 26th June - unwell pony - please keep an eye on her

A concerned member of the public contacted HIWWT to report that one of the ponies appeared unwell. As I was nearby, I went to check on them. At around 19:35, two ponies emerged from the thicket and wandered over to greet me near ///pints.penny.adapt. The third pony, Pandora — identifiable by the white star on her forehead — was lying down about 150 metres to the south.

After a short time, Pandora got up and came over to for a neck rub, which she appeared to enjoy, before wandering into some nearby bracken. There, she pawed at the ground several times before lying down again, rolling onto her back multiple times before settling to rest.

A little later, Pandora came back over to where I was standing and lay down on her side at my feet. She allowed me to sit with her, give her a good check, and continue stroking her. During this time, she appeared restless and at times showed rapid breathing. I immediately informed the owner, who set off for the site. 

While I waited with Pandora, I offered her some water, which she drank. Meanwhile, the other two ponies continued grazing east towards the trees, eventually moving out of sight. Pandora got up and moved towards them before lying down again. I alternated between sitting with her and watching from a distance, but thankfully, she showed no signs of deterioration.

Shortly before 21:00, Pandora got up once more and returned for another neck rub. Soon after, she urinated — initially with slight straining — and then began grazing, which was a surprising and encouraging development. As she walked over and joined the other two ponies in the thicket, I stayed close to keep an eye on her and noticed that she kept grazing without lying down again.

Eventually, all three ponies gathered near the fire hydrant sign for a drink before continuing to graze in the northwest corner of the site. One by one, they each came over to spend time with me, happily accepting more strokes and rubs. Thankfully, Pandora was no longer showing any signs of discomfort.

Unfortunately, heavy traffic delayed the owner’s arrival until after dark. By that time, the ponies had remained in the same corner, but as we approached with torches, they moved deeper into the trees and completely out of sight.

I plan to return in the morning to check on them again.

Thursday 26th June - All 6 seen

Having been stuck on the M25 on Tuesday and beaten to it by Sarah on Wednesday I popped up to the site this morning.  NoFence told me that the cows were in the NW corner of the site but I found the ponies first on the eastern slope of Brock's Hill.  They all look really well but were troubled by flies this morning.  After a few of Gordon's nose rubs I went in search of the cows.  

Despite the long dry spell the NW corner remains boggy and you have to keep a sharp eye to avoid losing your shoe.  The cows were on the edge of the trees in amongst the tall grass.  They moved slowly as they grazed so I could not be sure whether or not 257 was limping.  Otherwise they appear fine.  As I turned to make my way back to the kissing gate the ponies appeared having followed me down.  As I left they were taking a drink from the "spring".

Wednesday 25June - all 6 seen

A full set today, although cows and ponies were as far as they could be from each other.., The ponies were all well, in the trees by the corner of the Tweseldown gate. Cows were resting under the trees in the corner of the test track and road.

All 6 well today

staff check cows seen no sign of ponies

2.45, Mon 23 Jun, 3 cows and 3 ponies all seen at the side of brock hill,

The ditches/steam along the path leading to the test track gate were dry. Be good to know where they get their water from on the site so can check they are ok?

The cows were busy eating so i couldn’t assess a limp.  

They all seemed interested but didn’t approach and they seemed relaxed  and happy to be grazing

Sunday 22nd June - All 6 seen

At 14:20 this afternoon, the cattle were lying down, relaxing, and chewing their cud south of the pond near ///jugs.slogged.fall. They seemed to be enjoying the cooler conditions, though there were still numerous flies about. Steer 257 was tucked away behind some bracken but popped his head out to say hello, while steer 178 was happy to be approached and enjoyed a gentle neck rub. All three steers looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 14:45, the boys began to get up, stretching and preparing to head off grazing together. They wandered over to where I was standing, and I was pleased to see that steer 257 was walking well today. I said my goodbyes at 14:55, leaving them all peacefully grazing.

After a long search — including a trek to the far northeast corner and a walk along the entire Aldershot Road fence line — I eventually returned to find the ponies grazing by the main path near ///trusts.layover.query at 15:45. I'd love to know where they'd been hiding! I received a very warm welcome, with each pony coming over for strokes, rubs, and plenty of affectionate cuddles and nuzzles. All three looked happy, relaxed, and in good health. 

After a while, the ponies returned to grazing but stayed close, frequently coming back for more attention. They thoroughly enjoyed long neck and back rubs, wriggling and shifting around to make sure I reached all of their itchy spots. Later on, all three jumped the ditch to graze in the pasture by the Gelvert Stream. I said my goodbyes at 17:00, leaving them happily grazing.

The cows and the ponies were all good today.