Saturday

 All found all looking fine on the eastern side of the hill at 8.30. 

Friday 21st March - All 7 seen

The ponies were happily grazing near ///cookers.cubic.edge, east of Brock's Hill, at 14:35 this afternoon. They were all very friendly, wandering over one by one to say hello and enjoy some strokes. I received a lovely welcome, with plenty of cuddles and nuzzles. The girls were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to grazing, but frequently came back for more strokes and rubs. Pandora was especially affectionate, relishing several long neck rubs and rewarding me with the sweetest nuzzles each time. Most of the ponies were happy to stand and be brushed, fully relaxing, with many bowing their heads and resting a hind leg.

The bay pony's legs were looking slightly better again today. There were no raw patches, and she didn't appear to be in any discomfort. There was also further hair regrowth, particularly on the patches near the top of her legs. She thoroughly enjoyed some time away from the others being fussed over.

The other bay pony was also showing signs of improvement, with definite hair regrowth starting on the patch above her right eye. Overall, she simply looked in slightly better condition than she has recently.

The ponies slowly made their way west towards Brock's Hill, stopping to enjoy plenty of gorse from the bushes on both sides of the track. Tilly took a break from grazing to enjoy a long neck rub, fully extending her neck to allow for a chin rub, which she absolutely loved. At several points, she rested her chin on my shoulder and repeatedly thanked me with gentle nuzzles. 

I said goodbye to the ponies at 16:30, leaving them all happily grazing. Several had wandered into the pasture on the opposite side of the main path to continue their dinner.

The ponies were all good today.

Thursday 20th March - All 7 seen

The ponies were grazing in the sunshine near ///belief.horn.luckier, in the pasture northeast of Brock's Hill, at 14:45 this afternoon. One by one, they wandered over to greet me, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. They were very affectionate, offering lovely cuddles and nuzzles. After some more grazing among the heather and tall, straw-like grass, I managed to gently persuade them to follow me back to the eastern side of Brock's Hill.

By 15:20, we arrived, and the ponies were eager to rest for a while before enjoying some gorse. Several came over for neck and back scratches, thoroughly enjoying the attention. A short time later, Nicky arrived to check on the two bay ponies.

The bay pony's legs were looking slightly better today. Although there was still widespread hair loss, there were no raw patches, and there were even signs of hair regrowth, particularly at the tops of her legs. Nicky applied a thick layer of general healing cream to all four legs to aid her recovery, while I distracted her with relaxing head and neck strokes.

The other bay pony was also showing signs of improvement, with new, darker hairs beginning to grow on the bald patches along her neck. There was also some hair regrowth on the patch above her right eye. She, too, had healing cream applied to her neck and both sides of her head.

After Nicky left, the ponies moved into the pasture to the east and continued grazing near ///screening.alarm.gone. Many were happy to take a break for some brushing in the warm sunshine. Judging by the amount of hair coming off, they are starting to shed their winter coats. Tilly, who seemed determined to eat as much gorse as possible today, thoroughly enjoyed being brushed while she continued to eat. She rewarded me with gentle nuzzles when we were done.

I said my goodbyes to the ponies just after 17:00, leaving them happily grazing among the tall grass further east.

The ponies were all good today.

Wednesday 19th March - All 7 seen

Another stunning morning for checking ponies, with none of the drama of yesterday!

There was a heavy frost and some of the water sources were frozen, but the stream was running freely.

All the ponies were grazing nicely. I’ve added pictures of the bay pony (who will forever be called GretaGarbo to me…!) although the patches are pretty widespread on her legs, I thought they were looking less sore and raw today. I did notice some scabby bits on her face & just behind her ears though when I was giving her a bit of fuss. Not bald, but definitely worth monitoring in case they get worse

Tuesday 18th March - All 7 seen - Fire outside of the site spread to the woodland near the Aldershot Road.

The ponies were gathered on the east side of Brock's Hill at 13:45 this afternoon. Most were relaxing in the sunshine, while a couple were munching on gorse. I received a lovely welcome, with several of the ponies nickering as I approached. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Megan was initially lying down, but soon got up to greet me. Pandora was especially affectionate, savouring a long neck rub and rewarding me with gentle nuzzles. Tilly loved having the sides of her neck stroked as she rested in the warm sunshine. The ponies were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At around 14:15, I spotted smoke rising from the far side of Brock's Hill and went to investigate. I discovered a fire outside the perimeter fence near ///alleges.spine.fewer. The wind was fanning the flames, causing the fire to spread quickly into the woodland near Aldershot Road. The fire brigade arrived swiftly and brought the situation under control. I informed Chris at HIWWT.

When I returned to check on the ponies, they were completely fine and seemed totally unaware of the fire. They were still in the same spot I had left them, with most now grazing among the gorse bushes on the eastern slope of the hill. They seemed pleasantly surprised to see me again, and after another chorus of nickers, the girls came over one by one for more strokes and rubs. After a while, they returned to grazing, but frequently wandered back to spend some time with me. Pandora was an absolute delight this afternoon, enjoying long neck and back scratches, and rewarding me with plenty of nuzzles and licks.

The bay pony’s legs looked the same as they did on Sunday, with bald patches on the inside and outside of all four legs. However, there were no new raw spots today. She was very friendly and enjoyed lots of strokes and rubs while resting in the sun.  I did notice that she seemed a bit self-conscious about me frequently checking her legs—occasionally taking a step away when I leaned in for a closer look. 

The newer bay pony didn't seem any worse than at the weekend. She still had thinning around her neck and bald patches on her sides, but they weren't causing her any discomfort. Her head looked slightly better today, with what appeared to be some new hair growth starting.

It was great to catch up with Steve this afternoon. He arrived while I stepped away to confirm that the fire brigade had fully extinguished the blaze, which they had. I said my goodbyes to the ponies just after 16:30, leaving them happily grazing near ///chuck.rejects.jump.

The ponies were all good today. Sorry for the extra long update!

Tuesday 18th March - All 7 seen but not by me!

Arrived at about 1600 and spotted 4 ponies on the eastern slope of Brock’s Hill. I was talking to them when a familiar voice said, “hello!”  Not another pony but Gordon who had been there for a while. He had seen all of them during an event filled visit (which he may report). As we looked at the pony with the poorly legs she showed she was aware of where we were looking and wasn’t happy about it. 

3pm, Mon 17 March, all 7 eventually appeared, eating gorse and seemed well

I didn’t get close enough to notice the injured leg but they seemed in good spirits.  Appeared from the distant woods, one by one, and I witnessed them running and jumping a little as they approached me near Brock Hill.  They then proceeded to eat the gorse with vigour.