Saturday 19th April - Pony Update - now 3 ponies on site

The yearlings were grazing among the trees east of the entrance near the car park at 13:30 this afternoon. They were enjoying the shade, which kept most of the flies at bay. One by one, they came over to enjoy some strokes, though I had to cut short yearling 276’s neck and chin rub, promising to return later.

By 14:00, the ponies were grazing contentedly near ///pods.loyal.crackled, making the most of the warm sunshine and fresh grass. They were very affectionate, taking turns to greet me and enjoying neck and back rubs, rewarding me with nuzzles. As they slowly grazed southeast, they continued to return for more strokes. By 14:30, they had started to settle under the trees near ///otter.keys.braved. The chestnut mare had a scratch on her rear right hip, likely from a stray branch, but it appeared superficial with no damage to the skin.

 

Nicky arrived around 14:40 to take three ponies back to the New Forest for their holidays. This leaves three ponies currently on the Hawley Lakes reserve.

After she left around 15:15, the remaining ponies quickly settled. They wandered onto the tarmac path, enjoying more strokes and a few treats before continuing to graze. They followed the path toward the ammo compound, before turning onto the track running south of it, alternating between grazing and seeking more strokes. I stayed with them until 16:00 to make sure they were all okay.

The yearlings had been grazing in the pasture northwest of where I’d first seen them, but by 16:05 they were back in the shade of the trees. Three were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud. Yearling 276 was still up and came straight over, eager to finish his neck and chin rub. He enjoyed more strokes and rewarded me with affectionate head rubs. After a while, yearlings 282 and 283 resumed grazing, while 276 and 278 preferred to relax and chew their cud. I said my goodbyes at 16:30, leaving them all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 16:35, the ponies were peacefully munching on grass near ///went.dame.hides, northeast of the ammo compound. Shortly after, they climbed over the verge to continue grazing on the opposite side. I gave them one last round of strokes before saying my goodbyes.

As I was leaving at 16:55, yearling 276 had settled down to rest in the shade. He relaxed and chewed his cud while enjoying a few final strokes. Yearling 283 was resting nearby, while the other two foraged happily among the trees.

The cows and the ponies were all good today. Apologies for the even longer than normal update 🤣.