Sunday30th all seen noon ponies in F5 and cows in I3

 

Sunday 30th November - All 11 seen

A much later and shorter visit than usual, but since I found myself nearby, I stopped in to check that the cows and ponies were all okay.

At 15:50, four ponies were contentedly grazing in the gorse bushes southwest of the tank pits, near ///testy.hops.decoder. They were very friendly, taking turns to come over, say hello, and enjoy some strokes. Each had bits of gorse tangled in their manes and forelocks, which they were happy for me to remove. The other three ponies soon appeared from the bushes on the far side of the track and came straight over, greeting me with soft nickers. They were just as friendly and enjoyed plenty of neck and back rubs. The girls were all happy, relaxed, and looking well. I said my goodbyes at 16:20, leaving them grazing peacefully.

After a quick dash across the track through the centre of the site, I found the boys gathered under the trees around ///growl.name.forum near the northern fence line at 16:30. There was just enough light left to give them a proper check before darkness settled in. They were their usual affectionate selves, thoroughly enjoying long neck, shoulder, and back rubs, and thanking me with gentle head nudges. By 17:00, yearlings 278, 282, and 283 had settled down to rest, while yearling 276 insisted on a few extra scratches before settling as well. I said my goodbyes, leaving all four comfortably chewing their cud in the moonlight. The boys were content, relaxed, and in good condition. No photos of them today—it was too dark, and I wanted to spend my short visit giving them as many strokes as possible.

The cows and the ponies were all good today.

Saturday 29th November - All 11 seen

At 14:10, the yearlings were grazing among the trees near ///travels.gloom.recall, south of the path by the sailing club entrance. As soon as they spotted me, all four made their way over, greeting me with a couple of moos before we moved into the large open area to the southeast. The boys were very friendly, taking turns to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. They were still wet from the earlier rain and had lots of gorse stuck to their heads and backs, which they were happy for me to remove. Their feet were extremely muddy too!

Once we’d finished our initial greetings, the boys formed a circle around me and began to relax and chew their cud. One by one, they came over for more attention, leaning in for long neck, shoulder, and back scratches. They enjoyed having the water brushed from their backs and sides, and their coats ruffled to help them dry more quickly. They thanked me with gentle head rubs and licks. All four were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 15:00, I was about to head off to find the ponies when I spotted Polly wandering through the tall grass to the northeast. She came straight over for her first neck rub, and the other six ponies soon followed. They each took turns coming over to greet me and enjoyed a few strokes. One pony always stayed close, soaking up lots of attention, while the others grazed nearby, enjoying the plants growing on the surface of the many large pools of water. The girls were also wet, but were drying quickly in the sunshine.

The ponies alternated between grazing and coming back for more strokes and rubs. They were very affectionate, offering gentle nuzzles and cuddles. They were all happy, relaxed, and in good condition. Whenever the ponies drifted away, and I found myself alone, I went back to spend more time with the yearlings, who had stayed nearby. By 16:35, the boys had wandered into the trees to the west for a bit more grazing after saying their goodbyes.

I said my final goodbyes to the ponies around 16:45, once darkness had settled across the site. They were peacefully nibbling on gorse but followed me into the woodland, almost all the way back to the main path. After one last round of strokes and rubs, I slipped away fifteen minutes later, leaving them happily grazing or resting.

The cows and the ponies were all good today.

Friday28 November 25. 09.10 - 09.50. All 11 Seen. All OK - Cattle in C8 & Ponies in H6

 On arrival, I could see from the "No-Fence" that the cattle were in the deep gorse next to the fence at the extreme west of the range, 250 yard SW of the ammo dump compound.  They had been there since I'd checked on them on my laptop at home.  So, I left them there unseen and went to look for the ponies, in the hope that the cattle would have come into the open on my return.

I saw the ponies just 50 yards north of me, as I was riding east along the main track from the ammo dump to the Hawley Hard entrance.  

I managed to drag my bike through a gap on the track gorse border, dump my bike, helmet and glasses and walk over to the ponies.   They all appeared well and were gradually heading west.

I then went back to the western edge of the range to see if the boys were "coming out to play".  Unfortunately, they were not.  So, dumping the bike again, I followed the western fence line south and then cut east into the gorse, where I was eventually able to view all four of the boys.

They all appeared well.

Apologies, I am unlikely to be able to get out and see the ponies and cattle this Sunday. Is anyone able to cover me?  I can do an extra day next week, if that assists in return.