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ABOUT THE HORSES:
Our horses are our pride and joy. We most sincerely
hope that you get as much pleasure from them during your short stay with
us as we do looking after them all year round.
Without exception our horses are fit and good hearted. They love their
work and have been selected and trained to perform and cope in `off piste'/difficult
terrain. Like all of us they have their own quirks and endearing ways
which we have aimed to truthfully outline below. The descriptions are
a guide only and are based on our experience of them and guest comments.
Our horses are naturally thoroughbreds,
please click [here]
to find out why .
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GEORGE - 16hh grey thoroughbred,
17+ year old, gelding.
George is a retired race horse, a good all rounder. He has won the
odd race, dressage event and rosette for jumping, but where he has
come to excel in recent years is in his off piste work as a hunter/cross
country horse. He is most happy picking his way nimbly across the
moor, striding carefully down craggy tracks and wading his way across
the River Barle and up a steep bank to dry land. George is the sort
of horse that if he were human he'd be the friend you'd call on when
you were having a bad day, because you know he would be calm, strong
and true to you. He is a kind horse with the typical elegant and graceful
manner of an intelligent well bred gentleman. George is a favourite
with all our guests. If you are lucky you get one or two magical horses
in a lifetime and George is our little bit of magic. |
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RYAN - 17hh dark bay, cross Irish draught,
7 year old, gelding.
Ryan was 'backed' by our dear friend and local 'horse whisperer'
Keith Starling. The care with which Keith trained Ryan and the way
we subsequently rode him on and acquainted him with our land and
local terrain has resulted in a keen, alert, kind and big hearted
mount. He has excellent manners in and out of the stable.
Ryan always wants to please and is happy in all conditions. He is
a solid, dependable horse who is not the fastest, but without doubt
he is gentle, strong, and reliable.
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SKI SEAL - 17hh, dark bay thoroughbred,
12 year old, gelding.
Our other retired racehorse that performs best in wet, soft conditions.
He is an elegant horse with a smooth stride and a long swift gallop.
He is a comfortable, easy ride and unlike some ex-racehorses he
doesn't pull or fidget. Seal's favourite riding day is cantering
across the open moor, picking his way through a wooded glade or
just gently standing with his mount watching while Red deer pass
by and the countryside folds out before him. In other words, he
is a horse for all levels of rider, but is best suited to someone
who enjoys effortless speed.
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CASSIE - 16hh
chestnut, warm blood, 10 year old, mare.
This pretty chestnut is so neat and compact. In fact, guests comment
on what an attractive horse she is. Cassie is very sure hoofed and
is a reliable, comfortable mount. She is gentle natured both in and
out of the stable and is happy riding with our other horses or on
her own. She is quiet and confident and is suitable for a reasonably
inexperienced rider as well as an experienced one. Cassie is popular
with all our friends and guests. She enjoys her work and is very used
to the land around Exmoor and the Quantocks. For someone who wants
an easy day Cassie is a good mount to choose.*
* Cassie is now back in work after a Summer
and Winter off to care for her foal – Henry. Henry is now weaned
and Cassie is fit and ready to ‘Off Piste’ again.
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VICTOR (Victory
Bell) - 16hh bay thoroughbred, 8 year old, gelding.
This soft mouthed horse is forward in its movement with a temperament
to match his mouth. He rides with his head proud and his ears keen
as if listening for his ‘Victory Bell’. He is an ex-race
horse whose white blaze on his nose makes him a distinctive and
handsome horse. He rides positively and energetically. He has a
kindness that endears you to him both in the stable and out on the
moor. Victory is a nice, kind horse for an intermediate rider with
a light hand.
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PARK END - 16hh
1 thoroughbred, 13 year old chestnut, gelding.
Park End is a recent addition to our stable. He joined us from
the ‘point to point’ field but he is also well versed
at riding ‘off piste’. He has a shiny, dashing coat and
a stride to compliment his look. He is a long, strong horse but
at the same time he is well mannered and keen to please.
He is also very popular with the other horses and shares his field
with a lovely race horse called Bill. Bill has adopted ‘Parkey’
as his ‘new best friend’. You can’t help but enjoy
riding this long strided, kind horse. He is a good all rounder.
Our ‘ginger coated’ gem.
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TONTO - 16hh skewbald,
white and chestnut cob cross, 10 year old gelding.
Tonto is, (like his namesake) faithful and loyal. This is a genuine
horse who has worked long and hard in hunt service and has now been
re-invented to join the ‘Off piste’ riding stable. He
is sturdy and strong bodied. He is handsome and carries himself
well. Tonto is forward going and rides best in a Dutch snaffle.
He moves well across steep ground and has a steady, graceful gallop.
Although he has only been with us since the beginning of 2007 he
has already established himself as a popular addition to our stables.
This is a horse you will enjoy riding and can trust to give you
a lovely day out.
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DENNIS (Native Cunning)
- 17hh, black, thoroughbred, 9 year old.
Native Cunning as he was known when racing is a newish addition to
Off Piste riding. His stable name is Dennis which rather belies his
gracious looks and posture. This horse could be a 'stand in' for the
Lloyds Bank black horse. If you visit www.attheraces.co.uk
you can view some of his 22 races including his last one in February
07 at Folkestone. Despite being newly retired from racing this horse
has great speed and yet good manners which include allowing his mount
to 'pull him up' without too much effort. It would be fair to say
he is not a novice ride due to his speed, stride and strength but
to an experienced rider he is a dream. He wants to be loved and he
has already won Ellen over plus every guest who has seen him so far. |
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'SPEEDY' TREVOR
(Sahara Spirit) - 16hh 1, bay, thoroughbred, 8 year old.
Another retired racehorse, although we are not sure whether Trevor
knows the meaning of race. We think he left this idea behind when
he left the track. This horse is named after the gentleman who owns
him because he is as kind and gentle as 'Trevor' his owner. Trevor
(the owner) donated him to Off Piste riding on a permanent loan basis
earlier this year. Trevor is a true 'christian'. He wakes, eats, loads,
rides out and lives with a steady ease. He is a great ride for someone
who wants a gentle, confidence building day or indeed weekend. If
you want speed 'Speedy Trevor' is not for you! |
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ZEBERDEE –
16hh 1, grey, thoroughbred, 12 year old, gelding.
Zeberdee is a swift, fast horse if you want to apply some speed
and elegance to your riding. He has been a successful point to point
horse, so he enjoys all conditions whether the going is soft or
firm. Since he has been with us he has been ridden by riders of
varying ability. Everyone enjoys his good manners and forthright
stride. Despite his bouncy name he is actually a smooth, comfortable
ride. He has a beautiful movement and looks very impressive galloping
across the moor or jumping a fallen tree. Zeberdee is a good choice
for any rider who wants a quick horse that responds well to a good,
confident rider.
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