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.
Golly
- 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.
Dandy
- Height
- 15.2hh
- Sex
- Gelding
- Colour
- Dark Bay / Black
- Breed
- Believed to be Welsh Section D X
- Age
- 10
- Owner
- Ailsa McLellan
- History
- Dandy came to Overdale in the summer of 2010 as a working livery.
- Outlook
- Dandy quickly became a favourite of riders who attended
the Mary Wanless ridden clinics over the summer as he is both
sensitive and forward going without being scary! He loves to please
and is never cheeky - except when he wants to stay muddy; then he'll
politely present his bum to you when you want to scrape the mud off
his neck!
Domino
- Height
- 15.3hh
- Sex
- Gelding
- Colour
- Skewbald
- Breed
- TBC
- Age
- 7
- Owner
- Cherise McGrath
- History
- Kindly on loan.
- Outlook
- A horse with plenty of go, for the more experienced riders. Still learning the ropes, but settled into the OEC herd.
Maggie Mae
- Height
- 17.2hh
- Sex
- Mare
- Colour
- Bay
- Breed
- TBC
- Age
- 6
- Owner
- Karin Major
- History
- Lightly backed then turned away. Being brought on with a view to use in the school in due course. Settled in the OEC herd.
- Outlook
- Currently having some TLC to improve her general health before starting work. Watch this space.
Mr Jimmy Chips
- Height
- 14.3hh
- Sex
- Gelding
- Colour
- Cremelo / Piebald
- Breed
- unknown / Cob
- Age
- 14
- Owner
- Bucks Pony Acadamy
- History
- Mr Jimmy Chips (Jim) found his first proper home as a 3 year old bought by a lady for her mum to eventually ride. Once backed, he was turned away, but this lady's mum had nicknamed him Chips. Whilst turned away he was fed carrots by a little boy called Jimmy. The names were joined up, and stuck, and he is now therefore known as Mr Jimmy Chips!
He didn't do much after being turned away for a couple of years, and came to Bucks Pony Academy as the yard where he was kept was closing down and no one wanted him. He was sponsored and hacked out by a lady whilst under the care of Bucks Pony Academy.
He then started his schooling and competing career and he did well at all he did.
He was on loan for some time to a disabled girl and kept at an equestrian centre local to Bucks Pony Academy. He did really well as a working livery, but had to come home again to Bucks Pony Academy after an injury to recuperate.
He has now found his way to Overdale Equestrian Centre as Jim loves being in work and is not quite ready for the quiet life. Bucks Pony Academy specialises in teaching 2 - 8 year olds, and unfortunately Jim is a little too big for these little people and his talents were being wasted.
Thank you Overdale for giving him a home where his talents will be appreciated. He loves a bit of variety and can turn his hoof to any job given him.
- Outlook
- We are still getting to know Jimmy Chips, but he's settling in well so far.
Merv
- 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.
Cherry
- 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.
Chico
- Height
- 13.2hh
- Sex
- Gelding
- Colour
- Chestnut
- Breed
- New Forest
- Age
- 9
- Owner
- Karin Major
- History
- Chico is lucky to be with us at all. At the age of 6
months (or possibly younger), he was one of a lorry load of 96 ponies
heading for a meat man, when some kind soul bought the lot to save
them. Chico subsequently found his way to a home near Karin with
another Mare and her foal from the same lorry load. We don't know
when he was separated from his dam. Chico and the other foal,
Kaiser, managed to escape from their field on a number of occasions
and several times were found by Karin and returned to their field by
her. Their owner came to say thanks and subsequently asked Karin to
do some handling with them, firstly just catching them, teaching them
to load and then caring for them whilst she was away on holiday. On
her return the owner had decided to sell them, so Karin bought Chico
and her friend Jackie bought Kaiser, they were then 2yo. After Chico
was backed, he was ridden by Karin for a while, then went out to a
couple of loan homes to gain experience. He returned to Overdale in
2009 where he is now ridden by both experienced adults and children,
in lessons and on courses.
- Outlook
- Chico is generally the boss of the ponies. He is
very bright and forward going, needing only light aids, but can be
tricky to steer. He just loves to jump, and is extremely nimble over
fences.
Lulu
- Height
- 12hh
- Sex
- Mare
- Colour
- Chestnut
- Breed
- Welsh Section A
- Age
- 11
- Owner
- Fiona Walker
- History
- Lulu has returned to Overdale on loan after a few years with her owner.
- Outlook
- TBC
Jazz
- Height
- 13hh
- Sex
- Mare
- Colour
- Black
- Breed
- Dartmoor x Pony
- Age
- 9
- Owner
- The Epona Trust, Southampton
- History
- The Epona Trust says: Jazz was a RSPCA case that made the National papers. Her owner had allowed her to become starved and worm ridden to the point where she could not stand up, (yet she had bought a smart new rug to cover up Jazz's poor thin body!) Jazz's owner was successfully prosecuted by the RSPCA.
She was so weak, we had to lift her into the horse box to bring her home. Once settled into a warm comfortable stable, our first task was to get her strong enough for the worm medicine that would get rid of the parasites that were sapping her strength. An immediate worm dose would have killed her as toxins released by the dying worms would have been too much in her weakened condition.
We gave Jazz glucose drinks and milk powder, and then after a week we wormed her and she was alright after the masses of worms were expelled from her system. Jazz is a tough little pony who is very intelligent, who deserved to be fought for. She was not going to give up. Jazz is now very fit and healthy.
- Outlook
- TBC
Lilly
- Height
- 12.2hh
- Sex
- Mare
- Colour
- Grey
- Breed
- Welsh Section A
- Age
- 6
- Owner
- The Epona Trust, Southampton
- History
- The Epona Trust says: When Lilly's owners could not afford to pay for veterinary treatment for a serious cut on her leg, the Vet was asked to put her to sleep. The Vet called the Epona Trust and asked if we could take her, and so of course, she came here. A week after Lilly arrived she lost the foal she was carrying, the Vet said it was due to the trauma of being injured.
Lilly was a very sad and sorry little pony. Lilly has now fully recovered and has started her training.
Sadly Lilly became unwell, suffering from a suspected brain tumour, and was put to sleep on Christmas Day. Although she had not been at Overrdale for very long, she was much loved here and will be greatly missed. She was a lovely pony who was brave and fiesty to the end.
Bramble
- Height
- 10.2hh
- Sex
- Gelding
- Colour
- Skewbald
- Breed
- Shetland
- Age
- 12
- Owner
- Ben Twyman
- History
- "Gone Racing" - Bramble has gone out on loan to a racing yard.
Jed
- Height
- 15.2hh
- Sex
- Gelding
- Colour
- Brown (Dun)
- Breed
- Welsh Section D
- Age
- 5
- Owner
- Karin Major
- History
- Acquired by Karin in 2008 as an unbacked 3 year old,
Karin has brought Jed on from there. He went on his first fun ride
and to his first dressage competition as a 4yo, coming 2nd in his
first ever Intro test. As a 5yo he went out clear round jumping and
local riding club dressage and combined training events, bringing
rosettes home on each occasion. He hacks out alone and in company.
- Outlook
- Jed is very bright and loves to please, but can also be
shy and wary of new things. He likes to test the boundaries every now and then and tests
new handlers to see who takes who into the barn each morning.
Tiger
- Height
- 15.3hh
- Sex
- Gelding
- Colour
- Chestnut
- Breed
- KWPN
- Age
- 10
- Owner
- Karin Major
- History
- TBC
- Outlook
- TBC
