MEET OUR HORSES
Trekking Team
April
Hello, I'm April, but you can call me A-peeee!
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I’m a trekking pony for all you little people who come to see me. Officially I belong to Erin but she's kindly agreed to share me as long as you bring me back afterwards.
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I’m very energetic, so if you are booked in for a long ride today, there is every chance you will see me. Otherwise, I'll be in the field, eating, possibly sleeping, having a gallop, eating, and umm, eating.
Cherri
I'm Cherri, sister to Farley! Like Widget, we are both Exmoors, with a bit of Clydesdale thrown in for good measure.
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I got the hang of things really quickly and I'm a valuable member of the pony team together with April, Star and Monty. I'm great with kids but I'll also happily take an adult for a good canter on the moor as well, after all it's nice to catch up with my relatives.
Farley
I'm Cherri's sister, Farley! Like Widget, we are both Exmoors, with a bit of Clydesdale thrown in for good measure.
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I'm very friendly but I sometimes get a bit scared so I'm still getting used to trekking. You might see me out on a ride with one of the staff members, I'm hoping to start taking riders out soon though.
June
How you doing, my name is June and I'm the big friendly horse (BFH)!
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I’m one of the bigger horses here and I'm very safe to ride. My only dislike is cow pats, they're scary!
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Even though I'm called June, I'm not keen on the sunshine. During the summer, expect to see me with sun cream on my pink nose! If it’s sunny today, remember to put your sun cream on before going on your trek today and to drink plenty.
Widget
Hi, my name is Widget, but you can call me Widge!
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I came off the Moors in October 2016, I'm a little bit different to my brothers and sisters, so needed a caring home. Luckily, Charlie from Brendon Manor came along and rescued me and brought me here to Brendon Manor. I don't do rides but I'll sometimes come up and say hi and to get a bit of attention.
I’m quite sociable and love my food but I'm also a little naughty and like to nibble... so keep your little hands and fingers away from my mouth if you do come over and say hello!
Ram
Hello, it's Ram, Brendon Manor's biggest personality!
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I'm very experienced and great for beginners and experienced riders alike. I'm a bit of a character and I reckon that's why so many of the staff and customers love me. If I think I can get away with it I love to play around and muck about but don't worry, I'll always keep you safe.
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My favourite thing in the world is food, so make sure my feed bucket comes out first please!
Faith
Hey everyone, it’s Faith here, hope you're all Ok!
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I’ve been at Brendon Manor since I was a youngster and I know all the routes like the back of my hoof. I'm great for beginners and experienced riders alike, ​I’m a little bit cheeky and I do enjoy a little snack on a ride despite people telling me not to.
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If you need something to do, you're welcome to comb my huge mane and tail, it should keep you occupied for hours!
Monty
Hi, I'm Monty! The best things come in small packages and I'm just that.​ I might be small but I've got a big personality and I'm great for kids and smaller adults. I like to go out on rides with June as we make a rather nice matching set.
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See you out there on those moors kids!
Bouncer
When you need a big, reliable horse that anyone can ride, you call on me, Bouncer!
I'm supposed to be semi-retired now but at 27 I think I'm still young enough to do whatever I want. I'm really great for beginners as I'm happy to take a gentle walk and enjoy the view but given the chance I really, really like a good canter. In my head I'm still a youngster and I still love my job.
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Dislikes: Ponies. They're too small and most of them are the wrong colour.
Bryn
Helo, fy enw yw Bryn a chroeso i Brendon Manor. That is, hello, my name is Bryn and welcome to Brendon Manor. (apparently).
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I came off the Welsh mountains and like my mate, Bouncer, have spent some time in Gloucestershire before coming here. I get on well with everyone, although Widget and Jules are my best mates. OK, and Bouncer too.
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I'm handsome, super friendly and a bit soppy sometimes, everyone seems to love me!
Star
I’m Star by name and a star by nature!
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I moved here from Bristol with Charlie. The countryside is so beautiful and what better way to see it by having a guided tour off me. I'm very multi-talented and a big favourite with the staff, I've seen it all and done it all.
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I’m here to look after you and show you some great sights - so let's enjoy them together!
Bryon
I'm Bryon, the clown of the class, I always smile for the camera! I'm sometimes known as Emergency Bryon because I'm really good at filling in when we need another horse in a hurry.
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Things I like? I love crisps - Quavers are my favourite although I've been known to partake in a Pringle or Pickled Onion Monster Munch in the past. Ooh, or a Malted Milk biscuit too!​​
Chief
My name is Chief and I'm fairly certain I'm the most handsome horse at Brendon Manor. That's what the customers tell me, anyway.
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When I'm not trekking, I like to socialise with the other horses, especially the mares. ​​​I absolutely do NOT like admiring my reflection in car windows so don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise.
Sadie
Hi, I'm Sadie. If you like high speed Apaloosas, I'm the horse for you. I've got plenty of energy and love a good canter so if you're a good rider we'll probably get on really well.
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I only have one rule - I must be at the front whenever possible, so if you're on me, you're in charge!
Gemma
Hello, I'm Gemma. I'm a friendly, reliable cob who's basically just great at everything - I'm also very modest.
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When I'm not out on a trek I like to relax by rolling in mud and getting bits of tree tangled in my huge mane. I think the staff enjoy cleaning me up, they keep doing it after all.
Rosie
Hi, I'm Rosie. I joined the trekking team in 2024 and I've settled in nicely. My owner is Ellie, one of Brendon Manor's volunteers and I'm keeping a close eye on things here for her until she's back for her next stay. Talking of eyes, have you seen mine? I think they're cool, I like to mix it up so I've got one brown and one blue.
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I'm enjoying the Devon life so far, especially rivers, I really love splashing around in the water. I also have a talent for spotting a carrot in your hand from half a field away so make sure you bring extra.
Pinky
Hallo - I'm Pinky, biggest member of the Brendon trekking team! I'm a super friendly Belgian draft horse and I'm really big - you'll definitely notice me in the stables!
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Like Chief I'm sporting a strawberry roan colour so I'm quite distinctive. I'm very friendly and I love my food - I need a lot of it, after all. I even get double-sized feeds to make sure I don't get hangry on rides!
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Spartan
I'm Spartan and I'm the youngest - at 4 years old I'm too young to ride just yet but I'm already learning really quickly. I'm also making loads of friends in the herd and with the humans. I'm very friendly and very curious so I'll probably come and say hello if you're nearby.
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Despite rumours to the contrary, I'm definitely not Fabian's illegitimate son. Honest.
Jules
Hello, it's Jules! I'm a very sociable appaloosa who arrived in May 2025 and I've been learning all about the moor since then. Charlie tells me I'm doing amazingly well and I'm already doing a great job escorting rides. I'll be ready for customers very soon.
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Best friend?
Everyone! But especially Bryn.
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Escort Horses
Charlie
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While it may be true that the humans do most of the paperwork and sweeping up, Charlie Horse is very much in charge of things at Brendon Manor. Our most senior horse, she is in charge of keeping the other horses and ponies in line, meeting & greeting new arrivals to the herd and testing stable doors to see if you have locked them properly.
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There isn't much she hasn't seen or done and if she could operate a camera phone she could probably take rides out by herself!
Fabian
Known as Fabulous to his friends, Fabian's main goals in life are eventing, jumping and being first in line for the feed buckets. He's earned a few prizes in his life and knows he's good, so expects and enjoys the finer things in life.
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He prefers rides where he can show off so you'll usually find him leading the way on longer treks.
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Favourite colour: Pink.
Tune
Hi, I'm Tune and I'm owned by Lorna, one of Brendon Manor's volunteers. I make special guest appearances a few times a year when I fancy a bit of rest and relaxation on the moor. I love the fresh air and it's good to catch up with the herd when I'm not living the high life at my usual home near Oxford.
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I'm great at leading rides and I've also won a prize or two for events - ask Fabian, he was there! I might see you next time I'm on my holidays.
And Those Who Have Moved On...
Kestrel
Good Day to you all!
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Kestral here, like some others I’ve been here a while and I still keep coming back season after season for more. ​If you're a rider, you will certainly get the best out of me! Don’t let the fact I'm over 20 fool you... I have as much, if not more energy as some of those whipper snappers coming to steal my crown.
Sian
Boo, my name is Sian!​ I arrived at Brendon Manor in early 2017, I fancied a change from my old job at a riding school, so applied here. I got interviewed and next day got chauffeured in a luxury trailer to here, my new home. It’s brilliant living and working on the same site, the commute to work is so much easier!
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Somewhere on my family tree is an Arab, which im reliably informed is quite a desired type of horse. So if you're a rider and want a bit of a challenge (I'm lovely really), request Sian when you visit Brendon Manor.​
Sam
Hello, Samuel here, welcoming you to another trek at Brendon Manor.
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Now, in my time, I've seen a lot of horses come and go, some can make it, some can’t. What they have in common is they have all gained some of my knowledge in how to be a great trekking horse.
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Now ladies, is your man wanting to join you on today’s experience? If so, it’s likely that I'll be accompanying him and yourself. If you could pay me in carrots for looking after him, it would be appreciated.
Fudge
Hello. My name is Fudge.
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I come in from the field in the morning, I take you guys on treks and I go out again at night... trekking, it’s as simple as that!
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I’m here to teach these young horses and ponies a thing or two, I’ve done this job for years, so much so, i’m expecting my long service award at any point now!
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My job is to look after you, so if your on Fudge, you're in safe hands (or a back at least)!
Solly
Top of the morning to you (or afternoon) - it’s Mr Solomon at your service!
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Some ponies when they get to my age like a lot of grass and a comfy stable at night. Not the Solmister oh no, I'm young at heart and like a great Grandad, fantastic with the young ones.
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Lately, I've been introduced by June to this thing called the internet, it’s great and brendon manor have some photos of us lot on something called their website. If you press a w then a w, then another one and a dot, put brendonmanor and then another dot and com at the end, you’ll see some great shots of me!
Tinker
Guys, I'm Tinker, although you can call me “Tink”. ​Believe me, Tinker, really bad name, I'm good as gold all the time - they should have called me Ace or Angel. I know when I can get away with stuff though, but you being a good rider won’t let me have a break when I want (which sometimes can be at every gateway)!
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Being mainly white and black and looking like a little like a cow, I seem to attract the dust when I go for a roll in the field (which of course I'd never do) - the great thing about the team at Brendon Manor is they groom me every time before I go out - so I'm constantly looking at my best for you guys! ​
Baby
Hello it's Baby!
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I think I'm called Baby because I'm small, but I'm actually quite big, bigger than Widget, Cherry, Farley, Tinker... and probably more. I think therefore I should be called Big Baby and I'm getting bigger all the time.​
Carla
Hi, I'm Carla. I came here in 2022 to help share Bouncer's workload and I'm so popular with riders and staff that I think he's getting a bit jealous. I'm pretty good at everything and I'd definitely be in charge if Charlie horse would let me.
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My hobbies include farting and arguing with other horses in the stables. I've also seen how much fun people have catching Chief in the field so I do it too - I'll let you catch me for a carrot though.
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Carla retired in 2024.
Jen
My name is Jennifer, though I hate that, so please call me Jenny or even Jen. I'm supposed to be white but I usually prefer to be mud-coloured.
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I love being in front and going fast on rides, so if you're a bit of a speed freak and know what you're doing I'm just the one for you.
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Jen retired in 2024 to live with one of our long term customers.
Lydia
Hello, my name is Lydia, welcome to Brendon Manor!
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You can never miss me on photos, see I have 2 black legs and I’ve decided to rock the white sock look on the others. I’m one of the few horses here that are used by you fine people and also may lead the odd trek with Charlie or one of the other volunteers as well. I’m so multi-talented you see!
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(And don’t worry, I gave up jumping a while ago, I enjoy the slower pace of life now)!
Frazz
“Fresh off the track... it’s Mr Frazz”! Ok Frazz, it’s been a few years now, time for a career change!
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Now, tell us about yourself...“I’m Frazz, I'm new, I love jumping, Ruby Walsh is on my Facebook, did I tell you I used to race”?
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The good news is, he’s calmed down, is enjoying semi-retirement and he’s a great addition to Brendon Manor...just don’t mention his past career!
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Frazz retired in 2025.
Rosie
Coming soon, watch this space!
Charlie
Charlie blurb
Fabian
Fabian blurb