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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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RYAN - 17hh dark bay, cross Irish draught,
9 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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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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SKI SEAL - 17hh, dark bay thoroughbred,
14 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, 12 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, 9 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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LADY MARMALADE – 16:1hh piebald, black and white cob cross, 8 years old Mare.
This mare is snaffled mouth and very gentle natured. She is kind and steady and would suit a less confident rider. She has come to us from a nearby farm in Somerset.
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TONTO - 16hh skewbald,
white and chestnut cob cross, 12 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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ZEBERDEE –
16hh 1, grey, thoroughbred, 16 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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PUNCHY - 16hh. Dark bay gelding thoroughbred. 9 years old
Punchy has recently turned his hind quarters on a successful career racing then point to point racing. His owners John and Wendy have asked us to look after him and for the last 5 months we have settled him into the Off Piste yard. Punchy is a fast, forwarding going horse. He likes to lead from the front. He holds his head high and has a purposeful stride. He has no malice and is an exhilarating ride although it would be fair to say he is not a novice ride as he is fit and strong.
He suits a rider who wants to ride a classy horse with some spirit and pace. |
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CELTIC STORM – 16:1hh chestnut, 9 year old mare which was bred out of Celtic Art and Paddy.
This kind and beautiful mare has come to us and our friend Julian from a farm in Hailsham, East Sussex.
She is a good natured horse and is well versed in the terrain. She neither pulls nor aggravates the rider. She rides best collected and on the bit and has a very elegant movement. She is of solid build and will carry a big, strong rider. |
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