Saturday 29th July

The ponies were near the entrance half way up the hill munching away in the long grass. They seemed very content and barely stopped eating to acknowledge me. The only issue was they seemed to be bothered by the flies, i.e. lots of head shaking. But other than that all looking good, moving well, eyes bright and clear, no cuts or wounds and seeming alert and attentive. 

Wednesday 26th July

 All 3 ponies were by the corral. Slight chip on one of their hooves and a few flies, as usual. Quite inquisitive.

Thursday July 20th

 All 3 were close to the corral 🎵 in the shade and doing very little.  They seemed unmoved by my arrival.  There were a few flies inevitably, but not causing serious difficulties, and the ponies seemed well, despite the lack of action.  Water level OK. 
Lots of red admirals about on Deacon Hill.

Sunday 16th July

 Ponies at the top of the hill by the ‘beehive’. All grazing happily and looked well.

Saturday 15th July

Bit blustery on the hill, but it's looking beautiful and with the long grass swaying in the wind it's mesmerising. The ponies were elusive today and not relaxing by the corral as usual. Walked/hobbled along the upper path but no joy so then tried up by the boundary fence. Signs of them but not at that precise moment. Then took the lower path and spotted Kat halfway up the hill. They were happily munching away, far too busy to stop and say Hello, so watched them for a while before leaving. They looked well, were moving well, and although there were a fair few flies around them they didn't seem to be too bothered. 

Still lots of butterflies and disturbed a hawk on the upper path. I think it was then bothering the crows. Also a couple of the fence posts in the fenced off zones were damaged (pushed over/snapped). Patched things up as best I could but looks like further maintenance will be needed. 

Wednesday 12th July

 Good to hear what Colin said about their routine. We got to the gate nearest the M3 just before 10.00 and the 3 of them were by the corral, near but not on the lick. Flam was lying down but got up after a bit of chivvying. All looked well, normal flies and slightly chipped hooves. Oops, we forgot to check the water.

Stayed the other side of the gate to eat our apples and they were keen nibble the tandem lock etc.

Sunday 9th

 Three very chilled ponies this lunchtime. 

Thursday 6th July

 The ponies were close to the path, grazing about 100 m along from the gate nearer the M3.  Although I was a few yards away, they wanted to check me out every bit as much as I wanted the check them.  They then followed me towards the gate, and I left them by the corral.  They were a bit troubled by flies and there were a couple of large horse flies about, although I couldn't see any obvious bites or sore patches.  Water level fine.

A little ragwort may not be a bad thing - at least for this cinnabar moth caterpillar, close to the gate.  The ponies had clearly left it alone.

Saturday 1st July

Again the ponies were chilling by the corral looking a little dusty. I watched them for a while and Kat was having fun rolling in the dust, with the others watching on. Went closer for a better look and Flam was happy to say hello. A few flies were pestering them but otherwise they looked pretty well. 

Had a wander around the hill checking out the butterflies. Lots and lots of Red Admirals sunbathing on the paths, and many others flitting around busily. The hill is looking totally beautiful and the views lovely, a great place to spend an hour taking in the busy butterflies and moths and chatting with the ponies.