Horses

An Introduction to the Herd

Here at Mopley Farm we use a closed herd of horses for the Equine Guided Education. This enables us to focus on the natural hierarchy of the horses, allowing them to offer to us a unique insight into the dependencies and roles of each herd member.

We primarily use American Quarter Horses, renowned for their excellent temperaments. We also have one retired thoroughbred racehorse gelding. Details of each horse that participates in our days are below:

Cutter Hootie Blue - "Cutter"

Grullo coloured purebred quarterhorse, imported from Iowa four years ago. She is now 9 and can participate in all of the EGE exercises. Trust and leadership issues are where cutter comes into her own. Cutter is fantastic at the EGE work and continues to astound us with her teachings.

Charlenes Royal Rose - "Charlie"

Dun coloured purebred quarterhorse, imported from Montana about seven years ago. She is also 9 and can participate in all of the EGE exercises. Last years foal has been weaned and whilst it is hoped that she is back in foal she is still able to participate in all the EGE Sessions.

Charlies Dun Roaning - "Pippin"

Pippin is Charlie's foal from 2009, he was born on the morning of one of our EGE clinics - about half an hour before everyone arrived and through us all into a turmoil! He loves all the attention that he gets. He participates in some of the grooming and observation exercises. He may remain here at Mopley Farm but is up for sale and hence could go on to a different home. He is still very much the "baby" and shows his age and immaturity to the other horses all the time.

Evans Rags to Riches - "Rags"

Sadly we lost Rags this year, although she made it through the Winter, the Spring saw a renewed challenge to her old bones. After much discussion with our vet and her previous owner, we all agreed to do the right thing, and let her have her wish. Her ashes have been flown out to be with her owner who returned to the USA without her horse. Rags will always be remembered by those lucky enough to work with her for patience and kindness. She will never be forgotten and we thank her for showing us how it is done with dignity.

Princess Tinkerbell - "Tink"

Sorrel coloured American Paint x Quarterhorse, bred in the UK. She is now 4 and can participate in all of the EGE exercises. Tink provides a very different style of learning to Cutter and is very popular! She is a horse which will stretch you and push you beyond your boundaries. Next year we might put her in foal and see how she copes as a mother - watch this space!

"Trigger"

Sadly we also lost Trigger at the beginning of this year. He passed on mid canter and probably didn't even know that it had happened. He enjoyed life right up to the very end, playing with the boys and showing the youngsters a thing or two. He will always be remembered for helping people to set appropriate goals and ones that they could believe in.

WisperinSweetNothins - "Wispa"

Black coloured purebred quarterhorse, bred in the UK 2008. At 2 years old he is just starting out in his EGE career so only particpates in some small and non-demanding "one to one" passive EGE exercises. His temperament is second to none and as a result Wispa will be retained as a stallion for our stud and so as time moves on, and he grows up his participation in the EGE work will become more limited.

A Lady's Secret - "Secret"

Paint x Quarter Horse filly born this year. Secret is our latest addition to the herd at Mopley. As yet she only participates in some exercises, eg grooming and observation. We look forward to seeing her grow up within the herd and wait to see what role she will take fulfill.

Vodens Veronique - "Puzzle"

Coloured warmblood cross Arab that joined our herd over a year ago. Puzzle is a very flashy mare, she is fitting in well and attracts a lot of attention! She has really matured well and found a role in the EGE herd here at Mopley. Puzzle is excellent at mirroring states of emotion and helps people to understand their inner feelings. Calm grounding exercises are her forte, she is not a horse that always participates, but when she chooses to work with someone, the results are truly wonderful.

Equine Guided Education UK, Mopley Farm, Mopley, Southampton, Hampshire. SO45 1YH