Mon 7 Oct 24. (09.40 - 10.02). All 8 Ponies seen in E4, (in wood to west of track from cattle Grid to nr compound).

 All appeared in good health.  All either approached me for neck strokes, or allowed me to gently approach to stroke neck.  As I got put my bike helmet back on, I remove it & glasses when near ponies, (don't know why, just have always done so), one pony decided to stamp several times loudly.   Keeping my distance I circumnavigated her on foot and all appeared well.

 

Sunday 6th October - All 8 seen

The ponies were grazing in the pasture near ///poetry.fuss.engage at 14:25 this afternoon. Despite the light drizzle, they were all happy, relaxed and looking well. They were very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Several made soft nickering sounds as they approached, before offering gentle head rubs and nuzzles.

The ponies continued to graze southwest, enjoying the heather, long grass and occasional bites of gorse. They continued to come over, enjoying lots of neck, head and back rubs. By 14:50, five had reached the trees by the road, where they nibbled on grass and leaves. They then wandered east towards the car park entrance, pausing for a drink from the puddles, before following the path back to the same pasture to continue grazing.

Polly lingered behind, eating some gorse before coming over for more attention. She loved a long neck rub, letting me remove the gorse and leaves from her mane. Afterwards, she fully relaxed while enjoying a back rub, even resting a hind leg. After a while, she rejoined the others, who were still grazing.

I said goodbye to the ponies just before 16:00 as they reached the far side of the pasture near ///dorms.misted.nerd.

There was a Minley Fun Ride Drag Hunt event happening in Minley Woods today, with participants using the road beside the site for vehicle access through the gate at the end of the Sailing Centre car park. As I arrived, several trailers were leaving. Occasionally, some horses neighed as they passed over the speed bumps, making the ponies stop and look. A few times, the ponies neighed back.

The ponies were all good today.

Saturday 5th October - All 8 seen

The ponies were grazing near ///toffee.foggy.directs at 15:00 this afternoon, enjoying the warm, sunny weather. They were all happy, relaxed and looking well. They were all very friendly, coming over one by one to say hello and receive the first of many strokes. 

After about thirty minutes, the ponies began to graze in the pasture to the east, enjoying the long grass growing around the bracken. The girls would regularly take breaks and come over to spend some time with me. They enjoyed plenty of neck, ear and back rubs as they rested in the sunshine. They were very affectionate, giving me head rubs, nuzzles and the occasional lick. It was lovely to spend some quiet time with each of them.

By 17:00, the ponies had reached the entrance by the car park. They paused briefly to rest, with most taking a drink from the large puddles, before continuing to graze on the grass along both sides of the path. A few wandered into the thicket to nibble on gorse, but soon returned to the sunshine. The ponies continued to come over for more strokes, with several enjoying long neck and back rubs. I said my goodbyes just before 17:30. A couple of the ponies followed me to the entrance gate for some final strokes before I had to leave.

The ponies were all good today.

Sat 5th Oct - staff check

All 8 seen in the open near the trough

Wednesday 2nd October - Morning

 Eventually found all 8 ponies.

First 3 were by the path between the ammo dump and the corral. ///interest.scorecard.chase  1 was on the path but the other 2 were in the thick scrub on top of the bank.

After much searching found the others scattered across the scrubby ground around ///tungsten.hoofs.shade   

After some nose rubs I left them and bumped into Jacky.  Whilst we had a chat all 8 ponies came up to us.  A couple decided to have a good roll on the ground.

As I got back to the car a dog walker mentioned that part of the fence was down due to a fallen tree.  The location is ///blackout.pursuit.rides  It does look like the ponies could get out at this point.  Photo below.

Tue 1 Oct 24 (10.55 - 11.10) Saw all Eight Ponies in I4, & I3

 Was about to give up on the 8th & then she appeared from the undergrowth.  All appeared to be happy grazing away