Thursday 28th August - Pony Update - All 12 seen + Evening Update

We dropped off the three visiting ponies at 14:30 this afternoon by the tank pits, with the five original ponies emerging from the nearby trees to greet them. After plenty of neighing and excited running around the site, the group began to settle to the east of the ammo compound by the time I said my goodbyes just after 15:00.

At 14:40, the cattle were grazing among the bushes near ///outs.fidget.abolish, northeast of the ammo compound. They were very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs despite being a little damp from the frequent rain showers. The boys were happy, relaxed, and looking really well.

The cows and the ponies were all good today. 

EVENING UPDATE:

I returned to the site this evening to check that the ponies were settled. 

At 18:25, the cattle were grazing near the entrance by the car park. Yearlings 276 and 278 came to meet me at the cattle grid, both enjoying some strokes. Yearling 282 was standing nearby, relaxing and chewing his cud, but leaned in for a long neck rub, while yearling 283 continued grazing to the west before eventually wandering over for a few strokes. All four looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 19:05, all eight ponies were grazing together in the woodland near ///stamp.lousy.cubs. They were calm and friendly, taking turns to come over for strokes before slowly making their way towards the sheltered track northwest of the ammo compound to rest. Once settled, they returned one by one for longer neck and back rubs. There were a couple of minor skirmishes as they worked out their differences, but overall, they remained calm. The older mare sensibly kept out of the squabbles, happily enjoying plenty of attention.

A little later, the ponies wandered through the trees to graze on the heather west of the ammo compound, before moving further east to graze on both sides of the track near ///dozens.rams.buzz. From time to time, they bunched up together, which led to a few squeals when they crowded each other, but on the whole they were relaxed, content, and largely settled.

I said my goodbyes shortly before 20:15 as the light began to fade.

The cows and the ponies were all good this evening.