Convoy

 Pictures taken by Ciara yesterday...

The ponies trekking across the middle of the Reserve under a big grey sky. Conditions are perfect for them at the moment. They have opened up many paths and explored the whole area. 

And first thing this morning - thank you Claire and Hitch, the dog. 

Agent M goes Walkabout

Unofficial checker, Agent M, caught up with the ponies yesterday. I love her little missives which always read like a story. I'm sure that she won't mind me telling you that although she has lived close to the Reserve for many years, she has never really explored it. The ponies are widening her horizons as she goes in search of them on those days when she has the opportunity. 

"The ponies were kind to me today, as I found Jack when I got to the main clearing on the Common, via the gate at the end of the track. I spotted Blue and Nelly soon afterwards. Pie then came ambling along. It only took me about 10 minutes for that part of the check. Blue and Nelly wandered off towards the water trough, Jack followed shortly afterwards, and then Pie headed that way. I followed them all to the trough in case Patsy was already there, but she wasn’t. Just as I was about to embark on a long trek for her, she came cantering up to us, and I mean a canter, not a trot, as you know I have unwillingly experienced the difference firsthand. I had a look around to see if anything had spooked Patsy, but couldn’t see anything, and she seemed ok."

Many a horsey relationship has ended with the trot that accidentally became a canter!

The beauty and sadness of Autumn

I paid another visit to the ponies yesterday, along with David, since we had arranged to have our holiday vaccinations in Basingstoke. After twenty odd years, our own doctors are no longer providing a travel clinic although they may have changed their minds again by now. While we were in Superdrug (all credit to them for a great service), we received some very bad news which I cannot go into just yet but our subsequent trip to the ponies was short and sweet, and poignant too. The trees were so pretty with their fading cloaks of orange and yellow leaves, and the evening light through the grasses was magical. 

Luckily, we found the ponies quickly and Blue was really co-operative about being caught and having her hooves trimmed. They all seem so settled now.

It was good to see David taking solace with a pony in the same way that I have done all my life. A pony can absorb a lot of pain and tears, better than any tissue. 

Such a calm scene as we left to face the next few days. 

Daily Reassurance

 

One of the regular lookers, C, has made friends with Jack. They both recognise kind spirits, I think.

A dog-walker from nearby, another C, sent me this one of Blue. 

And the marvellous agent M took these...

The Assistant Reserves Manager, Ciara, took these next pictures on Friday before Saturday mystery:

And this morning, looker D, has already seen them all...

Good to see that Pie is part of the group again and feeling relaxed enough to lie down in the sun. I am so lucky to have so many people looking out for them.

Ever increasing circles

Finally got up to the Reserve this week after events took over. I came across Pie at about 1 p.m. all on his lonesome but very calm - surely, this could only mean the others were close by somewhere.

I finished my litter pick and went in search again - found Pie again and he was still happy and relaxed, so I thought I'd look for the others close by. 

No sign of the others and I wondered how five cattle and four ponies could go completely missing. 

Next, I came across the cattle at the back of the cricket pavilion. They all looked happy and relaxed. 

After two circuits of the Reserve, still no medium-sized ponies.  I fooled my legs into thinking we were going home by moving the car and set off again. 

I came across the cattle again, having a lie down, chewing the cud. 

I even came across this roe doe...but still no ponies

And at the end of my third circuit, at about 4.30 p.m., I found the ponies, all happy and relaxed - right on the other side of the reserve to Pie and not missing him one bit. 

Touching Moment

I just wanted to show you this intimate moment between Ruth and Prince, the wild pony that she is working with.

Those that have worked with semi-ferals will know just how magic these moments feel. She can also touch him all along his back now with the feather duster. Once we can trust his back end a bit more, then we can start to make more progress at the head end - I'm thinking ribbons. 

Hookers in the Rain

Today was the first time I have been to the Reserve when it is raining. The ponies were taking shelter under the big umbrella of an oak tree, except for Pie who is made of more rugged stuff. 

While I was there, I did some litter-picking and was intrigued by this love nest made from an up-turned trampoline. Three condom packets and several empty bags of cheese and onion crisps suggested that this was a high-quality romance!