Thursday Oct 31st

 Ponies really difficult to find this morning.  Nowhere along the top path or the middle one.  I then tried the bottom path, which is very squelchy, and god almost to the end before finding them - sort of diagonally opposite the main M-way entrance gate.  They were breakfasting enthusiastically, with a brief acknowledgement of my arrival.  They seemed very well and alert, and nothing adverse to report.  Both troughs full.

SW 'lake' is growing, but only mallard and black-headed gulls as far as I could see.

Wednesday 30th

4 ponies were on either side of the main path, about 300 meters from the bottom. Hoopy still has a half closed, weepy left eye. The others all looked ok and the bottom trough was full. 

Tuesday 29th October

Whilst looking for the ponies bumped into a friendly gentleman who had been watching the birds in our expanding lake and who is a regular visitor. We had a good chat about birds and other critters before my search continued. In the end they were in the old common place up by the top gate. They weren't being very lively, but Doune was looking after them all. Looks like Hoopy is settling in, now has burdock in her hair and mud on her backside and flanks. On the whole they all looked okay and well apart from the lethargy. Kat's autumn/winter coat is looking really dark and luxuriant. 

EDIT: IMPORTANT - spotted Hoopy had a weepy and closed left eye, that was also a little red. The Grazing Team have had a look, and it looks like it's hopefully just a poke from a branch (no scratches on the eye). So advice from the Grazing Team is to keep a close eye (no pun intended) on it and monitor and update as necessary.

Saturday 26th October

Dreary morning, unlike now as I type this up, but also really humid. Found the ponies a little way up the side of the hill off the lower path. They were all munching away and only marginally interested in my arrival. Even Flam was deep in eating concentration. They all looked good, Doune still a little watery eyed, but other than that all seemed good. Checked in with Hoopy, and she playfully batted me away with her head, before coming back for a quick head rub. 

Friday 25th

Ponies all looking in great condition and seem very settled with each other. Hoopy decided to use my shoulder as a scratching post today :) They came to visit the work party but didn't try and steal anything!

Thursday 24th October

 A sunny morning - and the ponies were difficult to find.  When I finally located them, they were grazing in the open area, north-east of the western trough.  They were definitely not there when I first arrived. I think they were gradually working up the hill, and so would not have been visible from the trough area.  They looked well and content - a brief hallo but eating was a priority.  Both troughs were fine.

Wednesday 23rd

 Hoopy was standing sentinel and the other 3 lying down by the top gate. All ok, Hoopy has a slightly weepy eye with some flies near it. Both troughs were full. 

Tuesday 22nd October

Lovely day on the Hill, although it was threatening showers. Found the ponies at the top of the site again by the gate. They all looked a bit knackered, with only Hoopy seeming even slightly alert. Other than that though, they all looked good, still a little muddy and I think Hoopy's eye was a little red but difficult to be sure. 

On the way up walked along the lower path and I believe I encountered the result of some pony mischief 😅!

Monday 21 October

 The 4 ponies were all at the bottom corral this morning. The troughs were full. They hadn’t moved much after I returned from checking the top trough. 

Sunday 20th October

 A wet and windy day on the hill. Fortunately it didn’t take too long to find the ponies a little way up the main path. All seemed to be enjoying the weather putting the flies somewhere else for the day.

Saturday 19th October

Lovely day on the Hill, bright sun and blue sky and no horrible sewage smells 😀. Followed the fresh pony tracks along the bottom path and found them spread out along the path. Hoopy was first, looking really well, winter coat coming through beautifully, then Flam, who was looking a little wary, but with a little coaxing she perked up, then Kat, showing only a passing interest as I passed by. Doune was missing, but found her round the corner munching away at the edge of a scrub block. They all looked great, a little muddy and damp, but otherwise in good shape. 

Hoopy

Thursday 17th October

 Thank goodness for a dry and sunny morning, although very wet underfoot.

4 ponies were at the far gate, nibbling at a few things, and vaguely interested in my arrival.  They looked in good form.  Troughs were both full.

I removed one plastic bottle, and L-plate, and old sliced loaf wrapper and a squashed plastic cup (almost a foursome from 'Only Connect', in case the ponies decided to chew on any of them.  Flam thought that my rubbish bag might contain goodies, but was disappointed.

Wednesday 16th

 We rattled the bottom gate a bit, planning on taking the tandem through, when Doune came down the path. Left the bike on the other side so they wouldn't nibble the panniers. The other 3 joined pretty soon and all looked well, apart from 2 with slightly teary eyes. Trough was full. We left with Doune and one of the others grooming each other.

Tuesday 15th October

Mild day on the Hill, with the ponies congregated by the top gate again. In fact right against the gate, Flam was using it as a head scratcher and was about to start scratching the other end when she spotted me and jumped. Must remember to not touch the gate in future 😂. Stayed outside the enclosure so as not to spook them, but they were all together and all looking really well. Hoopy looked a little tired and was struggling to keep her eyes open, trying to keep up with the youngsters probably. Kat still had the tear tracks from her eyes, but seemed okay, and as I left she was having a mutual groom with Doune. 

Monday 14 October

 Between the rain it was ok and we found the 4 ponies altogether the top gate. The troughs were full. Nothing to report. 

Sunday 13th October

 I found them Ian!! Up on the top track near the new fencing. They all look to be getting on great with each other .

Saturday 12th October

A very early visit to the Hill this morning, had to catch an early ferry to the Isle of Wight for another event. The ponies were neither near the corral or at the top of the site, or at the Clump, or in the middle section, or a way along the bottom path. So unfortunately I wasn't able to find them, but wasn't too worried as we saw them on Friday and they were looking great. And the fact that I didn't find any of them is a good sign and implies they were holed up somewhere together. It's great to see Hoopy starting to explore her new home more confidently. Apologies for not finding them, but hopefully Mike will find them okay tomorrow. 

Friday 11th

Saw all 4 ponies together twice on the volunteer task.  First time along the bottom track and Hoopy was slightly apart and I managed to get a proper look at her- what a lovely mare she is.  She has a collapsed crest which you may notice and is nothing for us to worry about.  End of the day they were all together grazing the western end of the site and all was calm between them..

Wednesday 9th

 Doune and Hoopy were near the path about 100 yards up from the trough, Flam and Kat were nearby, towards Morestead Rd. Didn't get too close to the last 2, but they all seemed fine. Bottom trough full.

Tuesday 8th October

Made it up to the Hill between the showers. Started at the top of the site where the ponies have been residing lately. Hoopy was on her own at the very top, but Doune and Flam were really close in the longer grass and Kat was close to the trough. Again all looked happy together. Hoopy wasn't too happy with me initially, a little hoof stomping, but once I got passed her to check on the others she relaxed. She started coming down the slope, but looked a little wobbly in the slippery conditions, clearly not as sure footed as the others yet. In the end her curiosity got the better of her and she popped over for a very quick sniff.

I love the white around Hoopy's eyes, very distinctive and pretty. 

Monday 7 October

 It was a little overcast this morning but then turned to rain with sun and a rainbow thrown in for good measure. The ponies were all together at the top gate and alert. The troughs were full. No issues. 

Sunday 6th October

 A fairly miserable day on the hill weather wise but the four ponies were found at the top of the hill by the gate and beehive. Hoopy appears to have settled in very nicely and accepted by the teenagers! 

Saturday 5th October

The ponies were all gathered by the top gate again, same place as yesterday, so whether they ever moved who knows. Kat and Doune were having a mutual grooming session, Flam was eating (surprise) and Hoopy was watching on. But they looked really comfortable with each other and I doubt you'd even realise one was a new member of the gang. Great to see! It looked like Kat still has watery eyes, but didn't want to get too close to check up close. 

Arrival of Hoopy :)

Hi all, an exciting day on the Hill! Hoopy arrived fine and Jayne had already got the original 3 into the corral. We let Hoopy inside the gate and then let the others out of the corral. They did crowd her at first, and as Jayne said they went haring off up the top track! We found them 15 minutes later up at the Beech clump an all seemed settled already but we gave them a very wide berth. Please see Jayne's warnings about keeping a wider berth than usual. A couple more videos for you - one of their arrival, and another one that Ian took this afternoon..

Friday 4th October

With newly arrived Hoopy settling in, gave the ponies plenty of room. 

Found them up by the upper gate, looking pretty relaxed. As I approached Doune moved ahead of the gang as if challenging me, so that's brilliant, she seems to have assumed charge. Flam was just munching away oblivious, and Hoopy and Kat were just milling around. All looks brilliant, and they look relaxed in each other's company. There's a little tension, with Hoopy getting used to the behaviours and quirks of the others but she seems really comfortable with them. 

Here are some photos (from a distance) and a couple of videos:

Hoopy has arrived!!

 Hi everyone,

Hoopy the Exmoor mare arrived safely this morning to join Flam, Doune and Kat on the hill. The introduction went well, and after a bit of shrieking  and snorting they all turned tail and took off along the top path. We followed until we came across them in the Beech clump, all seeming remarkably settled. Please be aware that in the coming days they will be flightier than usual while they sort out the pecking order and adjust to the new arrival, so please make sure that you have a safe exit planned and give them a wider berth than normal, and refrain from any hands-on burr removal, or pats and kisses. Sadly I didn't have time for photos, but Fi will post one up later with an update. Thanks all. 

Thursday 3rd October

 Chilly NE Breeze but lovely blue skies and sunshine.  The 3 ponies were, as yesterday, down the hill from the corral and grazing on the path.  Muddy hooves but looking happy and well.  Trough near corral full - but I didn't go to the far trough.  One brave red admiral out in the sunshine, and a croaking raven overhead.  Sorry I shall miss Hoopy next week as I am away (Fiona aware), but I look forward to Oct 17rh.

Wednesday 2nd

 The ponies were about 100 yards down the lower path, from the corral. Eyes all looked clear and they appeared well. Hope the new one settles in ok on Friday. Trough was full.

Tuesday 1st October

A typical autumnal day on the Hill with the ponies a short way up the main path and down the hill a little. They all looked happy munching away. Doune's eyes still look a bit watery, but otherwise she's looking great. Flam was her normal cheeky self and Kat a little jittery. But no obvious issues to note, other than Doune's eyes and the mass of burrs in all their hair. Flam's almost stands up by itself now. 

Friday 27th

Ponies were all looking good today whilst the work party was going on. They were grazing well along the top track. Doune's right eye was still looking a little weepy but she wasn't bothering it at all. I may well put some more Naff Off cream on them this week, but hopefully the flies area already reducing...I've told them they have a new friend arriving this week and they must be nice to her. To be honest Flam didn't say a lot but was interested in trying to eat my fleece as usual... wish I could get all the burdock seeds out of their manes.