Sunday 9th August

 Another hot one today. Ponies munching off the main track. Flies beginning to gather!

8th August 2026

Warm morning and initially no sign of the ponies, but when I got back from the sheep, Hoopy and Doune were in the corral and Kat and Flam a little bit further back along the bottom track. Kat and Flam had lots of flies, but not so bad in the corral. All looked well. 

Friday 7th August

​All the ponies being less bothered by the flies today . All by the entrance in the shade, no issues. Both troughs full . 

Thursday 6th August

A cooler morning and the ponies were out grazing, spread out quite widely, although just about within sight of each other, some 200-300m from the main gate and downhill a little.  They didn't seem too troubled by flies this morning - but no whiffs of garlic detected.  All seemed well. Trough near main gate was fine and I didn't get to the top trough.

Wednesday 5th

9.45, 4 ponies were in the corral, caught a whiff of garlic but the containers were empty. They all looked well, eyes ok, quite a few flies, mainly on Kat. Her forehead looked a little bit mangey. Trough was full. 

Garlic update!

Hi all, I am off on leave for 2 weeks so thought I should update you. I have temporarily stored 3 licks inside the fenced-out enclosure around the water tank at the western entrance. I can't give the ponies full access as they will get through the supply so fast! I am hoping that Tom will give them full access when he runs a work party on Friday 14th but unless you are spending some time on site, please just leave the licks in there for the moment. Do please check that the ponies haven't managed to get in and steal them though!! Hoping all will be ok with the lovely ponies in my absence but you have all the other staff numbers. It is probably best to ring Tom Graham if there is an issue - his number is on the main blog. Thanks all for your continued checks!

Monday 3rd - staff check

I had bought some proper garlic lick holders so thought i'd install 4 in the corral.  It took quite a while in the heat 🥵 with pony onlookers.. opened the gate to let the ponies in and within a minute Flam had ripped one of the holders off that I'd screwed tovthe sode of the corral! It clearly wasn't a good enough job!

Hoopy is the only civilised pony amongst the lot is my conclusion after watching them for 10 minutes! She is happy to just lick a mineral lick, whereas the others bite at them, try to pick them up and run off with them, and try and break the holders!! So my plan hasn't really worked very well and I will have to take the licks off site again.  Still a lot of flies about and Hoopy affected more than the others but all their eyes do look ok.  Carnage in the pony lick area too after the weekend - all their empties were strewn across the site - hooligans! Water supply tooped up today too.

Tuesday 4th August

The ponies were on the hill close to the main gate, and amongst the dry grasses. And covered in flies, especially Hoopy. All seemed well. At the end of my butterfly survey they were back in the corral, again covered in flies. The blue hanging buckets were all empty, not sure if they should be or not. 

Sunday 2nd August

 The ponies were gathered by the corral this morning. They were rather restless and a bit grumpy. Flies less of a bother.

Saturday 1st August

Well, mild garlic-lick carnage! Found the ponies in the garlic-lick area (the first gladed area you come to on the fence line path). Flam had her head stuck in one of the buckets still attached to the fence, coming up every now and then to breath with a frenzied look on her face. I found three more buckets, 2 x blue and one black one. The black one and its contents appeared untouched. The other buckets were empty and partially destroyed 😂. I found one of the licks in the hedge, covered in grasses, so managed to right in and put it back in a blue bucket. Disgusting 😀. No sign of the last remaining lick and the yellow container was empty too, so either they've finished it off or its hidden somewhere in the undergrowth. But they seemed okay, the multiple licks is a great idea and reduced the tension amongst them, so all relatively calm and looking well. And the lick will hopefully keep the flies away, but it definitely keeps me at bay!!

Please form an orderly queue....

is that a face of utter contentment?

Fri 31st staff check

Ponies all along the top of thr site for most of the day. We saw them several times whilst watering our new hedge.  Great excitement at 4 buckets with garlic licks in them being placed near the top hedgeline and about halfway along the site.  I chose to leave the licks out for them as they seemed happy to have a lick session and then go and carry on grazing.  Hoping the licks last a little while and help reduce the number of flies.  They are all looking really well though despite the flies.  Can lookers over the weekend check the lick buckets please as they are likely to tip over.  I have proper lick holders on order and arriving early next week.  We filled the top water tank and will do the bottom ones on Monday.  They are really getting through the water this summer! 

Thursday 30th July

 All 4 ponies were conveniently by the corral:

They were a bit troubled by flies, but looked fine - intrigued by my arrival, but then we haven't seen each other for a while.  Trough near main entrance was OK - but I didn't check the top trough.

Wednesday 29th

 4 ponies were very frisky around 8.o'clock this morning. Hoopy, Flam and Kat came charging down towards us, then after a few minutes wondering where she was Doune galloped down to join them. Our daughter was with us and understood why we'd said you need to be careful around them. Didn't get too close, but they all seemed fit and healthy. Trough full.

By the corral, after their run.

Tuesday 28th July

Warm day on the Hill, with sun and cloudy phases, but quite muggy. All ponies in the corral again. Lots of flies on their faces, so the ponies were using all parts of the corral and nearby posts for scratching and chasing the flies off. Kat's face has a few patches, presumably caused by scratching and rubbing. All seemed okay other than that. 

Sunday 26th July

 Another pleasant day on the hill with a welcoming breeze. But plenty of flies about! Ponies were making their way to the lower trough this morning.

Saturday 25th July

The ponies were in the corral again today, and the flies are now a big problem. Poor Hoopy's face was covered in them, she'd shake her head and they'd fly off a couple of centimetres then spring back on, as if they were attached my elastic. It was pretty upsetting to see, poor ponies. 

Other than the flies, they all seem well.

Wed - Kitty and Stephen

Ponies were all fine and for some reason the blog wasn't working. Please let Fiona (me) know if the blog continues to play up, it seems to work for me!

Tuesday 21st July

Lovely day on the Hill, sunny but with a nice breeze. Found Kat by main trough, and the others were down by the corral. There were a few flies, and they looked a little sorry for themselves, but other than that, all looked good. As I left Kat had moved to the main path and was grazing the bushes. 

Monday 20 th July

​All ponies together just off the main path. Flies being a bit of a pain but no worse than usual . No issues to report , trough full ! 

Saturday 18th July

Despite it being a bit cooler the ponies were still gathered by the corral. Again they were in the initial top-tail formation, with Hoopy still excluded. You'd think after all this time they'd have fully integrated her (or maybe she doesn't want to be absorbed). But flies not too bad (apart from on Hoopy's face). Kat came for a sniff, and let me tickle her chin (she doesn't like her face being touched). All looking well.

No caption required! 

Staff check Weds 15th

All 3 water tanks filled. Troughs all working, but a naughty pony has filled the corral trough with horse apples. I will clean it on the Friday work party. 

All 4 ponies under corral beech. The sensible ones were arranged nose to tail, swishing off each other's flies. The other was off to the side with a fly-y face.

Wednesday 15th

 8.45, 4 ponies were in the corral, huddled together. Some flies, lots of tail swishing. They all looked well. Trough full.

Tuesday 14th July

Warm, but pretty breezy on the Hill today, helping to keep it bearable. As such the ponies had abandoned the corral and were towards the top of the site grazing through the long grasses. Still a few flies but they didn't appear to be bothered and were quite happy eating away. 

I noticed the gate into the attached field and thought it had been painted white, but on further inspection, I'm thinking its just got coated in chalk dust due to recent winds?! Freaky. 

Monday 13th July

​The flies much less of an issue today. All ponies happily up at their favourite spot at the top . No issues, a lot cooler today too . 

Sunday 12th July

 A very welcome breeze on the hill this morning. Ponies were up at the top gate today perhaps using the breeze to keep the flies away? Plenty of ragwort falling victim to the hungry caterpillar!

Saturday 11th July

Early start but already very warm on the Hill. Very sensibly the ponies were in the corral area, looking a bit sorry for themselves. Flies were buzzing around still, Flam was probably worse, and Hoopy was irritable. Doune however, had no flies and looked very stately. I left her in charge. All okay otherwise. 

Friday staff check

Came to find ponies, they were seeking shade, very sensible. Applied some cream to keep flies away and have garlic licks on order...will top up water supply again on wednesday

Thursday 9th July 2026

 Another warm morning.  All 4 were conveniently by the corral in the shade.  They were not impressed by my attempt to provide some entertainment, but then neither was I.  They just looked rather bored, but otherwise fine. Some flies bothering them but not too many.  

Trough by main entrance full if rather green.  I didn't slog up to the top of the site.

Tuesday 7th July

Toasty day again on the Hill and sensibly the ponies had taken shelter by the corral. All looked okay, but a little subdued, and poor Flam and Hoopy were being pestered by flies. In particular Hoopy's face was covered. Flam also has a few healed scratches/grazes on her chest, they don't seem to be open, but I did notice some flies on then. Other than that all seemed okay. 

Monday 6th July

​​Rubbish left at the top of the site by the top gate , where the ponies all were . Flies a real issue today, I think something needs to be done about it because it was really bad today. Other than that ponies all ok no issues I could see other than the flies . 

Sunday 5th July

 Another pleasant day on the hill. Plenty of caterpillars on the ragwort. Ponies were difficult to find this morning, one mid way up from the bottom track hidden amongst the bushes, another eventually found on the bottom track and they slowly made their way to the corral where the other two were waiting.

Thursday 2nd July

 An early report today, as I have to be elsewhere soon.  All 4 were conveniently about 150m from the main entrance, and grazing not far from the top path.  The grass is high and, as if in the African savannah, they can soon become almost invisible:

All looked well - a brief hello, but breakfast was important.  Water level in trough near entrance was fine - it's a bit murky - and I didn't check the far trough.

Ragwort has its place, for caterpillars at least, even if a bit fuzzy!

Wednesday 1st July

10.30, 4 ponies were quite near the bottom trough, through the line of bushes. All looked well in the long grass, not too many flies. Trough a summer green.

We chatted to the marshals, sitting by the m.way bridge with water and snacks for 500 St. Swithuns pupils who were doing a walk/run for a charity, (something to do with education) They were all glad it wasn't last week.

Jolly, polite and friendly bunch, we saw lots of the girls and teachers on the way home.

We cut back some of the encroaching brambles and buddleia on the path to the tennis courts.  

Tuesday 30th June

A warm and pleasant day on the Hill, and as anticipated the ponies were at the top of the site by the main gate. Flam was trying to eat someone's discarded McDonalds bag, which someone kindly threw out their car window. Nice. The ponies were all well, a few more flies today, but not too many. Doune was standing in the nettles looking out over the further field, and noticed a survey going on over there.

Monday 29th June

 All ok, I think the ponies were grateful for the cooler weather, flies have really reduced too. Found all of them near the top, no issues. 

Sunday 28th June

 Some respite from the weather today. Ponies still gathered by the corral.

Thursday 25th June

  Another very warm morning.  All 4 ponies were about 150-200m from the main entrance gate, and a little way down the hill, grazing very happily.  They briefly acknowledged my arrival, but breakfast took priority.  They all looked well, if (like me) a bit sweaty in the warm sun:

Trough was fine - but I didn't check the top one.

Wednesday 24th

7.40 am, 4 ponies were in the open bit near the bottom trough. They all looked sleek and well . Trough full, lots of butterflies. 

Tuesday 23rd June

Getting hot on the Hill, and sensibly the ponies were sheltering from the sun in the corral. They didn't look too comfortable or maybe simply tired, but otherwise okay. A few more flies today and a bit of end to end tail swishing, but with Hoopy excluded. 

Sunday 21st June

 Ponies still gathered in the corral. Looking rather sleepy!

Thurs and Fri 18th and 19th - staff checks

Apologies for the late posting, but the ponies were checked both days. They were loving the shade of the corral and all looking in fine fettle. The grass growth has suddenly shot up in areas and there is tonnes to eat! Water supply is fine.

Saturday 20th June

Muggy morning on the Hill today, with the top of the site brimming with Meadow Browns and the odd Marbled White. The ponies were at the top of the site close to the gate, all looking a little lethargic. And a few more flies today, but not too many. Flam and Kat said Hi, before using each other has scratching posts. 

The Hedge Bedstraw (small white petals?) is out in full bloom and the Hill is smelling absolutely beautiful as a result. 

Wednesday 17th

 4 ponies were in the corral at 10.45 lethargically swishing their tails and manes. Not too many flies and they all looked well. Hoopy outside the huddle. Both troughs were full, I'd been to the top and back before finding them. Note to self, if they're not in the corral and it's before 9.45 check the bottom path first.

Tuesday 16th June

Pretty warm already this morning, and luckily the ponies were waiting for me in the corral. Flam and Kat came over to say 'Hello', whilst the others hung back. All looking okay, no signs of flies just yet. Still there when I got back from the butterfly survey an hour later. 

Sunday 14th June

 A lovely morning on the hill. Lots of growth all around. Ponies were slowing making their way up the main track all looking in great condition although some have chippings on hooves.

Saturday 13th June

Lovely, but breezy, morning on the Hill, with the ponies a little tricky to find. Eventually found them halfway up the hillside (between bottom and main paths) and about 100 metres towards the east. All were grazing happily, having breakfast presumably (or brunch maybe), and looked in fine fettle.

Wednesday 10th June

 4 ponies were a few hundred meters down the bottom track, this was at 8.15am, munching their way towards the corral. We'd looked for them all the way up the main path. I guess they still spend the night in the far bottom corner. They all looked well though I can see Hoopy's ribs. Both troughs full.

Tuesday 9th June

Breezy and unsettled on the Hill today. Found the ponies by the top gate, mostly lounging around, and a few more flies annoying them. All looked well if not a little tired. 

The big field by the top gate has exploded into life, full of poppies and wildflowers. Looks stunning, with the promise of more to come! 

Monday 8th June

​​All ponies ok, were further down the hill than I usually find them but other than being very wet , they are all ok . 

Sunday 7th June

 Ponies helpfully gathered by the corral again this morning.