Sunday 30th November - All 6 seen

At 14:10 this afternoon, the ponies were happily grazing along the sides of the main path from the racecourse down the southern slope of Brock’s Hill. They were very friendly, taking turns to come over, say hello, and enjoy plenty of strokes. Judging by the amount of gorse tangled in their manes, forelocks, and scattered across their backs, they had recently been feasting in the bushes north of the racecourse. They were happy for me to remove the gorse while enjoying some rubs. All seven were relaxed, content, and looking really well.

The ponies continued to follow the path, stopping to nibble more gorse near the foot of the hill. They then crossed to the other side and grazed contentedly on grass and leaves from the trees and bushes as they made their way toward the stream. They regularly returned for more attention, thoroughly enjoying neck strokes and long back rubs. The girls relaxed quickly, lowering their heads and resting a hind leg while being made a fuss of.

I said my goodbyes at 15:30, leaving them peacefully grazing near the stream. As I walked away, they began hopping over the stream to graze in the pasture beside the pond.

The ponies were all good today.

Saturday

 All found at 8.30 in the trees alongside the race course. All looking wet but fine. 

Friday 28th November - All 6 seen

At 15:00 this afternoon, the ponies were peacefully grazing near ///back.bring.tucked, east of Brock’s Hill. They were all very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy some strokes and rubs. All six were content, relaxed, and looking really well. After plenty of greetings, they returned to grazing, enjoying gorse, leaves from the bushes and trees, and even some grass. The girls were very attentive, with at least one pony staying close to keep me company at all times. They each had varying amounts of gorse and burrs in their manes and forelocks, which they were happy for me to remove.

By 15:20, the ponies had moved northeast, grazing first near the stream at ///ramps.leap.robot before continuing into the open area further east. They regularly took breaks to come over for more attention, thoroughly enjoying long neck and back rubs. The girls relaxed quickly, lowering their heads and resting a hind leg. They were very affectionate, offering cuddles and gentle nuzzles in return.

I said my goodbyes shortly before 16:15, leaving them grazing peacefully as darkness settled over the site. As I walked away, they followed me for a while back towards the main path. After a final round of goodbyes, I slipped away, leaving them grazing near ///tripods.clays.asks.

The ponies were all good today.

Staff check - all 6 ponies looking well

 Checked all 6 today and they were all looking well and I'm delighted to say mainly concentrating on eating gorse. 

I had a quick look for the bullets to deal with that but couldn't see them, so I assume they have been cleared up and removed by the army, as Steve gave a clear description of location I'd like to think I didn't miss them!

Thanks all!

Tuesday 25th November - All 6 Ponies Seen

The ponies were browsing the gorse on the south side of Brock's Hill at 1215 today, some close to the track and others deep in the gorse.  

The are all well and looking good, apart from all the bits of gorse, burrs and bracken they have managed to accumulate in their manes.

On the top of Brock's Hill, on the cleared patch that looks out to the north, I came across a collection of old blanks, mostly spent but one or two live (with no firing pin marks).  

They may have been collected together by the military or the clearance contractors. I'm not sure what the disposal protocol would be for so many but they are exposed where ponies could step upon them.

Mon 24 Nov, all 6 seen (belated)

The horses were easy to find on Monday.  I walked up Brock Hill and was greeted by 3 at the top.  They then proceeded to go down the hill and the other 3 were waiting at the bottom.  They all grazed on grass and seemed good.

On Sunday from the hill i watched them galloping around the site.  They went past the bottom of Brock Hill, towards the test track gate, must have taken a left somewhere as i could just see them running through the woods where they must have stopped as they didn’ reappear.  They looked great.  I don”t know if something had spooked them or they were just enjoying a run.

Sunday 23rd November - All 6 seen

At 13:40 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing along the eastern side of Brock’s Hill, enjoying the sunshine and plenty of grass and gorse. When they saw me approaching, they took turns coming over to say hello and enjoy some strokes and rubs. Most still had matted coats from yesterday’s rain, but a few gentle back rubs soon smoothed them out. The girls were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

After a while, they returned to grazing on the slope of the hill, though one always stayed with me to enjoy longer neck, shoulder, and back rubs. They were incredibly affectionate, offering the sweetest cuddles and gentle nuzzles in return. They looked stunning as the sun began to set.

By 14:45, the ponies had moved into the pasture to the east to continue grazing, initially nibbling on the plentiful gorse before heading further east to browse the variety of plants growing in the swampy area. They continued taking turns to come over for more attention, especially loving scratches along the front and sides of their necks. They were an absolute joy to spend some quiet, peaceful time with this afternoon.

I said my goodbyes at 16:00, leaving them grazing in the gorse bushes near the main path, around ///metals.pony.realm. As I walked toward the racecourse, I saw the first couple of ponies emerge and move into the pasture to the south to graze some more.

The ponies were all good today.

Saturday all seen

 Lovely to see ponies again. They were all at the foot of the hill on the east side at 9am. All very friendly and all fine. 

Friday 21st November - All 6 seen

At 12:20 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing contentedly in the pasture by the test track gate. When they saw me approaching, they wandered over to greet me on the path and enjoy the first of many strokes and rubs. All six were happy, relaxed, and looking really well—they seem to have settled in really well to their new home.

The girls were very friendly, taking turns to come over for long neck rubs and back scratches, rewarding me with cuddles and gentle nuzzles. They alternated between grazing, resting in the sunshine, and returning for more attention. They especially enjoyed long shoulder and back rubs, relaxing completely and resting their hind legs as they were made a fuss of. Despite the chilly weather, it was a joy to spend some peaceful time with them.

I said my goodbyes at 14:00, leaving most of them resting in the sunshine by the main path while a couple continued to graze. The stream was flowing well, providing plenty of drinking water, and I broke the ice on several puddles to give them a few extra places to drink.

The ponies were all good today.

Staff Check - all 6 ponies well

 All 6 were grazing together in the SW corner this afternoon - all well

Tuesday 18th November - All 6 Ponies Seen

All six ponies were grazing on the open space between the track and the racecourse just east of Brock's Hill at 0930 this morning.  They looked very much at home and all appeared fit and healthy.  They were quite relaxed and, as Gordon found yesterday, keen to say hello.

Monday 17th November - Pony Update - now 6 ponies on site

There are now six New Forest ponies on site at the Long Valley reserve.

When I arrived at 13:15 this afternoon, the four ponies that arrived yesterday were happily grazing along the path beside the racecourse. They looked relaxed, well, and appeared to have settled comfortably into their new home.

At 13:30, Nicky arrived with two more ponies to join the group. The original four quickly made their way down to the eastern side of Brock’s Hill, curious about the newcomers. Once the new ponies were unloaded, all six began grazing together along the track on the eastern side of the hill, enjoying the sunshine and plenty of grass and gorse. Several large puddles provided water for drinking. They were all perfectly calm and content, first grazing north before turning back and slowly working their way south again. The girls were very friendly, regularly coming over for strokes and rubs.

I said my goodbyes just after 14:30, leaving them resting or grazing peacefully near the foot of the hill.

The ponies were all good today.