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.