Sunday 11th January - All 8 seen - Family feeding the ponies + several pieces of fencing lying on the ground in the southwest corner

At 13:30 this afternoon, the ponies were making their way down from Brock’s Hill and browsing the gorse on both sides of the path near the main entrance. They were already damp from the drizzle, but it didn’t stop them grazing. All of them were very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. They looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Afterwards, the ponies alternated between grazing in the southwest corner and coming back over for more attention. They thoroughly enjoyed the long neck and shoulder rubs and seemed to appreciate having the rain brushed from their backs and sides. The girls also appeared pleased to have loose gorse picked out of their manes and tails. They were very attentive, with at least one pony staying close to me at all times. When the rain grew heavier, they headed deeper into the gorse for shelter.

At one point, a few ponies drifted south. When I went to check on them, I found them gathered around a family who were feeding them. I politely asked the family not to feed the ponies and explained why. The ponies soon wandered back over to me, and the family left shortly afterwards.

The ponies then returned to grazing, though by this stage they were thoroughly wet from the near-constant rain. During a particularly heavy shower, they sheltered under the trees in the far southwest corner, foraging for acorns among the fallen leaves. Once the rain eased, several of them emerged to rest or continue grazing.

I said my goodbyes at 15:40, leaving the ponies resting or grazing peacefully in the thicket near the trees. As I was leaving, Tilly followed me for some extra attention and thoroughly enjoyed another long neck and chin rub, responding with gentle cuddles and nuzzles.

While I was with the ponies, I noticed several pieces of fencing lying on the ground beside the bracken in the southwest corner, which I don’t recall seeing before. After my final goodbyes, I checked the fence at the cut‑through onto the racecourse and found it secure. I also walked the fence line outside the site from the main entrance to the far southwest corner by the racecourse, and that section was intact as well.

The ponies were all good this afternoon.