Saturday 9th August - All 9 seen

At 14:30 this afternoon, the ponies were happily grazing in the warm sunshine beside the ammo compound. Polly was the first to spot me and came straight over, greeting me with soft nickers before enjoying some strokes. The others soon followed, all very friendly and happy to receive some attention. After a while, they returned to grazing but took turns coming back to enjoy neck and back rubs. It was lovely to spend time with Diva again, and, after a brief hesitation, Lilly's Filly stood close and thoroughly enjoyed having the sides of her neck stroked. All the ponies were happy, relaxed, and looking really well. It was great to see the newcomers had been welcomed into the group, with everyone calm and content.

By 15:10, the ponies had moved east to graze near ///wand.lifts.topical, just as the cattle appeared from around the bushes to the north. I went over to say hello and was met with a warm welcome, each happily accepting strokes and rubs. Before long, the ponies wandered over, prompting the boys to retreat into the nearby bushes to rest in the shade. After giving the ponies more attention, I rejoined the cattle. Yearlings 278 and 282 were especially affectionate, enjoying long neck rubs and offering lovely cuddles in return. All four were happy, relaxed, and in good condition. 

Soon after, the ponies came looking for me again, causing the yearlings to move deeper into the bushes. The older mare stayed with me, relishing long neck and shoulder rubs, while the others returned to grazing outside.

By 15:40, the cows and ponies had come together again, this time in the area near ///picnic.line.graced. The cattle grazed at the northern end, while the ponies preferred the sunny southern end. Yearling 282 joined me in the shade, leaning in for another long neck rub, relaxing completely and even closing his eyes. By 16:00, they had all moved into the woodland to the west to rest.

Around ten minutes later, the yearlings wandered off towards the ammo compound, while I stayed with the ponies, who were happy to enjoy more strokes while they rested. With hotter weather forecast for next week, I decided to check the water trough. As I set off, the ponies followed me.

When we reached the trough at 16:25, the yearlings were already there enjoying a refreshing drink. The ponies drank as well before returning to the open pasture to graze, while I spent a bit more time with the yearlings. Yearling 276 was eager for another long neck rub, but the others kept pushing in for attention. Eventually, he nudged them away and also gave me gentle head nudges to encourage me to keep going.

I said my goodbyes at 16:50, leaving the ponies grazing peacefully in the pasture and the yearlings resting in the shade, chewing their cud by the water trough.

The cows and the ponies were all good today.