PW - 30/06/2024

Started to panic when I could only find one pony, then noticed that the bottom wire of the Hampshire gate at the north end of the compartment was broken and lots of hair on it. Found the other 4 near the cemetery. Fortunately, Jack had closed the next Hampshire gate at the end of the elephant garden. I have opened the broken gate, so they now have the run of two compartments.

Lynn - 28/06/2024

 All checked @ 10:00. All 5 fine. No concerns.

Lynn - 27/06/2024

And now we are 5. On checking the blog before heading out to the ponies, I saw no post for yesterday. I was therefore glad that I saw Jack, who advised Sass had been removed and therefore only 5 ponies on site so no need to panic! Please can all pony related info be put on the blog as I rely on it: Blashford staff are not always on site so it is my "go to" source of information? And whilst I am on here: next week Thursday and Friday I am away & unable to visit so could someone please cover 4th and 5th? Thanks everyone.

Lynn - 25/06/2024

10:00- All 6 together in the shade of the trees up on the bank alongside A338. Checked over and no concerns.

Karen 24 06 24

Hello, at last joined.  Thanks all for help.  I will try and keep up with this.

PW 23/6

All six together near the willows at the north end of their range. No issues. Seem to be settling in nicely.

Lynn - 21/06/2024

10:00 - All 6 found together under the trees alongside the A338, just south of the gate into compartment 2. Checked over. No concerns.

Lynn - 20/06/2024

10:30- All 6 ponies seen and checked from close quarters. No concerns. As Simon says, they are favouring the shade offered by trees up on the bank alongside the A338 and can be hard to spot!

Simon - 19/06/2024

10:00. All good and in correct area. Ponies favouring spot under trees at top of compartment next to road. 

Lyn - 18/06/2024

All 6 seen from close quarters @ 10:15. No concerns. 

PW

All 6 seen at close quarters while mowing with the quad. Very inquisitive! No issues.

Pete 16/6

They seem to be settling down a bit now. Still a bit of tension but to be expected. All in good fettle.

Simon 14/06/2024

10:35. All fine.

Lyn 13/06/2024

And then there were 6, all fine when checked @ 10:00Friday morning  at close quarters. 2 distinct groups of 3 , grazing close together. No concerns. One of my keys worked on the 5bar gate lock (brass one) and I'll test the others next week.

Jack M 13/06/2024

Three checks today! 

The first was when I found Mac (the chestnut roan) had broke through a Hampshire gate into the small strip next to the main entrance where we had stashed the pulled ragwort! There were no signs he ate any despite finding droppings next to the heap. After pushing him back in with the others, I came back with Lyn to repair the Hampshire gate (using slightly taller posts). A final check at 15:30 confirmed they were all in the right place and Mac still behaving normally. 

Simon and Karen phoned to say say will are dropping 3 more ponies off this evening so 6 in total to check tomorrow Lyn.

As some of us were struggling with the locks on the main gate, I have swapped these out.

Jack. 12/06/2024. Ponies on-site!

It’s that time of year again already! Three lovely New Forest ponies were dropped off by our new graziers Karen and Simon Crouch this afternoon. Three more (plus foal) are expected to arrive later in the week (date tbc) and will remain confined to the western shoreline for the time being (compartment 1 on the map). 

I have circulated the revised livestock looker checklist via email which you familiarise yourself with again before carrying out checks. This also includes access information and up-to-date contact details should you need to more urgent report welfare or fencing issues.

The rota has been updated with Lynn kindly agreeing to cover Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, Karen/ Simon covering Saturdays (and occasional Wednesdays). Pete will cover Sundays and I’ll cover Mondays.

As in previous years, please remember to update this blog after each check. Karen is having IT issues currently so doesn't have access yet, but hopes to set her account up in the coming weeks.

Thank you all again for your help, and do give me a shout if you're unsure on anything.

Jack