Horses

Astro

Height: 16.2hh
Sex: Gelding
Colour: Bay
Breed: Warmblood
Age: 19
Owner: Mary Wanless
History: Astro came to Overdale in 2000 as a remedial horse who didn't want to work. He is now a most reliable member of the team.
Outlook: Astro can be ridden by total beginners or more experienced riders. He likes to let both the rider and instructor know what the next lesson subject should be. His ridden party piece is walk/canter transitions. He is also a bit of a ladies man, knowing how to make eyes at both the 2 legged and 4 legged varieties. He is head of the Overdale herd.

Height: 16.1hh
Sex: Gelding
Colour: Flea Bitten Grey
Breed: Hanovarian x TB
Age: 17
Owner: Mary Wanless
History: Golly came to Overdale, on loan to Karin, in 2007 and he was subsequently bought by Mary. Golly is still regularly ridden by Karin, who has competed with him in local unaffiliated dressage competitions at Novice level.
Outlook: Golly has a very polite and gentle way of taking his riders, and learning to control the speed of his legs is the first thing he has to teach most of them. In the stable and field he is a quiet gentleman, a great companion for any new arrivals.

Height: 13.2hh
Sex: Gelding
Colour: Bay
Breed: New Forest - from a particular strain who are rather long backed and narrow (of the old Forest blood, unimproved by the Welsh stallions that ran out on the Forest in the 50s and 60s). His large head and wide lower jaw are typical of this strain and are highly efficient at grinding the gorse which forms a large part of their diet when available. His narrow frame conforms to the type of European wild pony of forest type.
Age: 11
Owner: The Epona Trust, Southampton
History: Merv was rescued from going for meat at Beaulieu Road Sales and, as often happens, the young girl who rescued him found she had a very lively colt on her hands. After a few decent dinners Merv's behaviour became dangerous so the girl contacted a dog rescue centre (!) whose owner knew the Epona Trust and a joint project between us and the Dog Rescue - whose volunteer Vet castrated Merv - ensured his future. This is termed a Second Level rescue - first he had to be rescued, then his rescuer had to be rescued from him!
Outlook: Merv is ridden by total beginners through to more experienced young riders. He is most definitely not a push button ride. He has a lot to teach riders about authority, forward planning and confidence. He has taught many Overdale riders to canter, but will only take a few canter strides at a time until the rider is capable of keeping in balance with him.

Height: 12hh
Sex: Mare
Colour: Bay
Breed: Welsh Mountain
Age: 20
Owner: The Epona Trust, Southampton
History: Cherry came from the Abergavenny sales where her story was similar to that of Merv. She then went to the Epona Trust when her rescuers family split up due to a divorce. Historically, the Welsh Mountain pony was the beast of all work for the hill farmer; tough enough to winter on the mountain where they could range over a large area (and the legend is that their prized 'teacup' noses are an adaptation for grazing the mountain grasses between the rocks and scree), and strong enough to carry a light adult. Enthusiasts will tell you that the Mountain ponies are the descendants of the best Welsh stock which were hidden in the mountains when Henry VIII made a law that all small ponies under 14 hands were to be killed (in order to ensure enough large animals were bred for war!). Though the size decreased, the ponies sense of its own importance did not and this is what makes them so good in the right hands, but lethal in the wrong hands. They were never meant to be childrens' ponies !!!
Outlook: Cherry is very sweet to handle. She is a great lead rein pony and is very safe for young riders to take their first steps off the lead rein. Although Cherry may have distinct ideas of her own about the direction those steps are taken in, the pace is safe.