At 15:30 this afternoon, the ponies were grazing contentedly in the pasture near ///bead.widget.yacht, northeast of the water trough. They were very friendly, each taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy some strokes before returning to graze. As they gradually moved in the direction of the ammo compound, they regularly came back for more attention. The girls thoroughly enjoyed long grooming sessions—having their backs and sides brushed and the gorse and burrs removed from their manes and forelocks. They relaxed completely, rewarding me with plenty of cuddles, nuzzles, and even a few licks.
Around 16:45, the older pony wandered back to the far corner for a drink from the trough. I followed, and we shared a peaceful fifteen minutes together while she stood quietly, enjoying the fuss. Once we were done, we walked back to rejoin the others grazing near ///vitals.grief.ghosts. The trough was full and only needed a light clean. I said my goodbyes around 17:10, leaving them all grazing happily. All eight ponies were relaxed, healthy, and in excellent condition.
At 17:15, yearlings 276 and 282 were grazing in the thicket near ///otters.wager.storage, southeast of the ammo compound. Both were very friendly, coming straight over to greet me. Yearling 282 especially enjoyed a long neck and chin scratch, while yearling 276 leaned in for a back rub. About ten minutes later, yearlings 278 and 283 arrived from the north, mooing as they approached. They, too, were affectionate, happily accepting strokes and rubs. After a while, the four moved onto the track to the west, where they rested, chewed their cud, and enjoyed more attention. By 17:45, the boys had wandered off to the southwest to graze, though yearling 282 lingered for another neck rub, thanking me with the sweetest head rubs. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.
By 17:55, the ponies had started to graze east along the track to the south of the ammo compound. They all came over once more for strokes before I said my final goodbyes at 18:15.
The cows and the ponies were all good today.