Saturday 31st August

Muggy day on the Hill. Checked the new fencing for signs of tangled up ponies, but thankfully nothing was found. It looks like they've investigated based on the freshness of, well you know what. Found them a short way along the main path, Doune was hanging back but escorted me to the others, keeping herself between them and me. They looked great, a muddy patch on Flam's hind quarters, but just mud I believe, and again not too many flies. Left them alone to keep eating, under Doune's protective eye 😀.

Thursday 29th August

A  beautiful morning after a slightly chilly start.  All 3 ponies were (still) conveniently by the M'way gate, seemingly waiting to welcome me.  They looked very alert and well even if a bit troubled by flies.  The nearby trough was fine - didn't check the far one.

A pair of ravens was circling above me while I was there, croaking noisily.

Wednesday 28th

Before I forget, we'll be on holiday in Spain next week for a fortnight, so will miss  4th and 11th.

Today the 3 ponies were in the corral area. Looking well, Doune very inquisitive, the others backing her up. I think she smelled my apple. We had to shoo them away to get back to the gate. Bottom trough full.

Tuesday 27th August

Sun starting to break through and become a nice day. Found the ponies huddled in the corral, being pestered by flies. Doune in particular was bearing the brunt of it, so was looking really sorry for herself. I tried to shoo (the flies) them away, but pointless as they came back instantly. Flam was again friendly, as was Doune today. Other than the flies and looking miserable they seemed well. 

Sunday 25th August

 A pleasant if blustery morning on the hill. Ponies looking well look to have spent time rolling in some mud probably to discourage flies which continue to pester around faces.

Saturday 24th August

Arrived as the storm caught up with me, so waited it out before going pony hunting. Based on previous visits, started on the lower path and returned to the main path via the trough, thinking maybe I should have worn my waders rather than my apparently not so waterproof trousers. The ponies were a little way along the main path, half sheltering under a bush, but still looking a little bedraggled. Flam was her friendly self, but they all seemed a little skittish, so had to ensure no sudden movements. But despite the sogginess they looked okay, so left them in peace to carry on eating. 

Thursday 22nd August

 Despite it being quite windy, the ponies were by the far (easternmost) gate on an exposed area by the road. They looked a bit sleepy, but in good form.

Both troughs were OK.

One solitary swallow over Deacon Hill, and a pair of linnets twittering - and even a butterfly or two (gatekeeper?).  Otherwise, it felt quite like autumn.

Wednesday 21st

3 ponies were where they were last Weds, and yesterday. If you follow the path from the trough that keeps more or less to the contour, through the bushes on the left and on a couple of hundred yards you'll find the lawn they're creating. 

Kat might have been favouring that back right foot but she wasn't holding it up. Apart from flies and burrs they all looked fine. Bottom trough full. 

Tuesday 20th August

Ponies finally escaped the corral and took some finding. After a lovely walk, found then just up from the lower path not that far from the trough. They were making their way along munching as they went. A little jumpy again today, although not Flam, they all seemed to have scratches along their backs, so I suspect they'd been hiding from me in the bushes. Ironically the muntjacs are easier to spot than the massive smelly ponies! 😂 They've left a lovely welcoming treat by the main gate, nice. 

Only slight point to note, is that Kat seems to be standing and moving a little abnormally on her back right foot. It sometimes seems to be slightly lifted and not in full contact with the ground, and she seems to be walking very deliberately on it. It might be nothing, or I could be imagining it, but something to keep an eye on please.

Here Kat is holding her leg up a bit

Looker needed

 I won’t be able to make next Monday. Is there someone able to cover for me? Thanks. 

Monday 19 August

 The ponies were at the corral and not that interested in much. The troughs were full. A muggy day but at least it’s not raining.

Sunday 18th August

 Apologies for not posting last week, I did visit the site, just forgot to post!

The ponies were huddled in the corral this morning looking rather miserable as if wishing the flies would just ‘fly’ away.

Saturday 17th August

The ponies were by the corral, again looking a bit subdued and a bit bothered by flies. Kat was a little jumpy today, but Flam was looking very round and even Doune was quite friendly, although there was the odd stamp. But apart from the flies and the manes could do with a shampoo and blow dry, and removing all the buds caught in them, they looked really well. 

Thursday 15th August

 A somewhat autumnal morning, but it warmed up quickly, and the Deacon Hill 3 were about 100m along the top path and grazing.  They looked fine and not too troubled by flies.  Trough OK, but didn't trudge along to the far trough.

Thank you Ian for confirming that horse-sense is real!

Shock News - Horses can plan ahead!

Well I suspect this isn't news or a surprise to any of us!! 😂😀🐎🐴

Horses can plan ahead and think strategically, scientists find | Animal behaviour | The Guardian

Wednesday 14th

 3 ponies were grazing down from the track, a few hundred yards from the trough. Followed their path back to the trough, which was easier than clambering back onto the track. They all looked ok. I was a bit concerned about possible sweet itch from the last post, but their tails seemed alright. Trough was full. didn't go to the top one though.

Tuesday 13th August

No dramas today and a lovely lunchtime on the Hill. They were huddled under the tree by the corral, looking a little sorry for themselves. Kat seemed to be limping a bit but I watched her till she moved again and she seemed okay, so maybe just a little stiff. Apart from that and the looking grumpy, looked great. Doune was keeping her best eye on me at all times, but I assured her I wasn't going to mess with any of them 😆.

Scary stare!

Monday 12 August

 The ponies were at the corral with one getting a good scratch from the kissing gate. Both troughs were full. No concerns.

Saturday 10th August

More fun and games trying to find the ponies this afternoon. Up, down and all around and finally found them on the lower path gorging on the new grass growth. Kat said Hi, but it was half hearted and they were too busy munching. They looked good though, no obvious issues, not too many flies. 

Thursday 8th August

 All 3 were about 150m along the top path, grazing.  They seemed to be enjoying the thistles rather more than Tigger did - at least the less prickly top bits.  I had a brief one-way conversation with Flam, but the others were too busy eating. The westerly trough is OK - I didn't go on to check the other one.  Nothing adverse to report.

Wednesday 7th

 All 3 ponies were lying down by the corral. They stood up for me and all looked fine. Trough full, didn't check the top one though.

Tuesday 6th August

Just missed the rains, and almost the ponies, who were a little way along the main track and down the hill slightly in amongst the long grass. They were happily munching away, although Flam did scoot over to say hello. All looking great and flies not too much of an issue. 

Monday 5 August

 The trough was full and the ponies were in the copse half way up the hill. Maybe they were a little hung over after Boomtown. All appeared well.

Sunday 4th August

 Ponies were busy grazing this morning on the left hand side of the main track.

They were too busy to engage with me today but looked well.

Saturday 3rd August

Bright morning on the Hill, lots of butterflies on the verge approaching the main gate. The ponies were kindly in the corral today, with Flam and Doune using their teeth to scrap each others hind quarters. Removing the shed? Kat was looking a little left out. She came over to say hello, and Doune huffed and started watching me, adopting the protective big sister role. All looking great, not too much bother with flies. 

The latch on the corral gate, the lower one, seems to be broken (screw fallen out?), so isn't securing properly.

Thursday August 1st

A sharp shower first thing despite a forecast of 0% rain, but the morning soon developed into  a sunny, hot and humid one.  Despite the heat, 3 ponies were out grazing in the sun on the top path, about 300m along, just before the little beech copse.  They all looked well and alert.  Flam said a brief hello before continuing with brunch.  Trough nr m'way OK - I didn't slog out to the far one, I am afraid.