Saturday

 Could only find 7 of them this morning at 11.00 despite looking around for a while. They were spread out in the trees in the middle of the site and those I saw looked fine. 

Friday 16th January - All 8 seen

At 14:15, the ponies were browsing gorse on both sides of the path at the foot of the hill near the corner by the racecourse. They were all very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. The girls were happy, relaxed, and looking well. The two youngsters are starting to lose a bit of condition, and we’ll be monitoring them closely.

After our initial greetings, the ponies returned to grazing among the gorse but continued to wander over individually for more attention. They leaned in for long neck and shoulder rubs, offering gentle nuzzles and the sweetest cuddles in return. Many still had matted coats from the recent rain, but gentle back rubs helped smooth them out. They also seemed pleased to have loose gorse brushed from their backs and removed from their manes and tails.

Gradually, the ponies moved up the slope toward the path leading to Brock’s Hill, drifting into the denser gorse to graze. They continued to return regularly for more strokes and rubs, with several enjoying long back scratches as they ate.

I said my goodbyes just after 16:00, leaving the ponies contentedly grazing about halfway up Brock’s Hill.

The fence at the cut-through onto the racecourse continues to hold up well.

The same family I saw on Sunday came looking for the ponies again today, arriving about halfway through my visit and making their way over from the racecourse. The ponies were either too busy nibbling gorse or enjoying strokes to approach them. When the family saw me with the ponies, they continued on their way.

The ponies were all good today.

Friday 16th January - Staff Check, All Seen.

All 8 seen at 13.30, dozing or nibbling gorse.

All very well 

Zoe 

Wednesday 14th January - All 8 ponies seen

Things conspired to prevent me visiting yesterday so I went this morning instead. All eight ponies were where I had found them last week, tucked up in the far SW corner of the site at 11.30.  I had expected them to be out on the track in the sunshine but they looked and behaved as though they had 'slept-in'. Only the palest pony had the sense to stand in the sun.

Apart from being on the lethargic side they all appeared well and several followed me about seeking attention.

1pm Mon 12th Jan, 6 found, 2 on the path and 4 amongst the gorse in the wooded area next to the racecourse

The 6 i found all looking well.  The other 2 might have been deeper into the gorse but although i hung around for awhile they didn’t appear

They were all busy eating today

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 today.

Saturday

 All found standing quietly in the trees at the far south western end of the site at 9.00. All looking fine.