Maria's Horse Trekking

HORSES

We have 14 horses, most of them rescued from difficult lives. Through our love, rehabilitation and retraining program they have grown to become wonderful healthy happy horses again.

OUR BEAUTIFUL EQUINE FAMILY

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Let us introduce you to our twelve beautiful horses. Here's what they have to say about themselves:

Hildaya – 2 year old mare, mule

Hi, I'm Hildaya! I am super quirky, mischievous, very young, the youngest in fact. I have just started to be trained. I love to play and jump about in the field.

I am very strong because my father was a donkey and my mum is a pony. I am brave, loving and extremely cute. I am called Muffin as my nickname. I hope to be taken out on treks soon and will make a great children’s ride. I am beginning to be trained which is exciting.

Mavroua - 4 year old black mare

Welcome! My name is Mavroua, Cypriot for "Black Beauty". I am only 4 years old. My mum died when I was one year old and I wandered off and found Maria's stables. After I kept wandering about and returning many times to Maria's stables, she took me in.

My surrogate mum was Lolita who took care of me. The herd cared for me and taught me how to belong in a herd environment. I am still in training as I am very young and Debbie-Maria is still teaching me. I hope to continue to grow up into a well-behaved horse for riders to enjoy trekking out on me.

Mojito - 6 year old chestnut mare

Hi, I'm Mojito, a pony native to Cyprus, 13 hands tall and chestnut in colour. I am young and the most beautiful of the herd and more petite than my brothers and sisters, and I am in training still as I am rather young.

I am friendly with a lovely temperament and I really love to go trekking in a group, I am ridden and trained by Amke as I am still learning. I love carrots and apples and I have just discovered polo mints and they are delicious!

Luna - 6 year old liver chestnut mare

Hello! I'm Luna, named after the full moon. I came from Limassol and I am still in training as I am young. My close friends are Mavroua and Mojito because we are the three youngest, (and naughtiest) in the herd… and we are three very naughty mare amigos up to mischief and fun.

Athena – 8 year old bay mare pony

My name is Athena. I had a nice owner but was not really doing much and then Maria’s Horse Trekking found me and bought me, my daughter, Hildaya, and my best friend, Angel.

So the three of us came together years ago. I am great for young children. I am calm, gentle, I am not dramatic and I like to be groomed and ridden on treks.

Angel – 8 year old grey/white mare

Hello… my name is Angel. I am best friends with Athena. I am quite nervous, easily frightened and am still in training. I like people and food, yes, in fact, I love food!

I had only been around donkeys, so only recently have I got to know other horses and ponies, which is helping me to calm down. I hope one day to make the grade of a good calm trekking horse in time.

Nero - 9 year old black gelding

I was named Nero because I am black and I just love, love water! I was a high performing race-horse, working very hard and then I had a leg accident and that ended my racing career. I was mentioned to Debbie-Maria and she came to see me, bought me and I have been in this family for two years now.

I was difficult at first, nervous, damaged, frightened of everything and anything. But, the team were kind and patient with me. Debbie-Maria untrained my ways and I let go and trusted them. I love trekking and have made best friends with Diego. I am ridden by Mark who tolerates my quirky ways, I am calming down a lot now.

Tequila – 10 year old chestnut mare

I am one of the smallest of the herd and my friends call me Tequila. I was found tethered up near Omodos, Troodos, so I am particularly sensitive about my head being touched as I had to wear a headcollar for years. It has taken me time to trust humans again. I am still wary of them and take my time to get to know people.

I have positively grown here in my confidence at Maria’s Horse Trekking. I enjoy being ridden again, I like children and I am a safe pony. I am brave and I do not flap at all.

Barney - 11 year old liver chestnut gelding

Hi, I'm Barney, step-brother if you like to Albie. A 'mini-Albie', as I'm a younger version as I am only years old. We look identical as we are both chestnut. However, he likes to claim that he is the handsome one of the family, but I truly believe that I am.

My background is an ex-racehorse Wetherby's with a good blood line and handsome features. I can work hard when I want to, however, I'm not a leader, I am a follower of fashion.

Food is my hobby. Carrots, apples and delightful polo mints please!

In memory of dearest friend Sarah Wheatley, who brought me in touch with Debbie-Maria. A dear wonderful friend, always remembered.

Lolita - 11 years old, bay mare

Hi, I'm Lolita, one of three mares in our herd. Aged years old, I am highly intelligent and very obedient.

Like any self-expressive female, I do have stubborn mood swings, but most of the time I'm brave. I lead the group and lead the boys who are not so brave. I am the boss of the family, so all the boys do what I say. My two brothers, Hildago and Indiago, provide me with extra confidence.

With a black mane, tail and a deep dark brown body coat, I'm a very pretty bay (even if I may say so myself). My height is 14.2 hands, so I'm the smallest in our family.

Polo mints, carrots and apples are my favourite treats when I am a good girl.

Indiago - 13 years old, bay gelding

Hi, I'm Indiago. Aged years old, I'm the younger brother of my little sister Lolita.

Like my older brother, I was a polo pony in my previous career, and I too, worked very hard as an athletic horse. Then, Maria took me on with my brother and sister and we are truly happier in our new career trekking.

We get out into the mountains and forests which we love. I can be excitable and I do need an experienced rider to keep me calm as I get very happy on the rides. Family favourite treats are the usual carrots, polo mints and apples. Yummy!

Phoenix – 13 year old chestnut gelding

Named Phoenix, I only joined recently and am the first livery horse at the stables. The herd are nice and are slowly welcoming me. I was in the horse-racing world and worked very hard. My owner Debbie-Maria bought me and looks after me with the help of our team at Maria’s Horse Trekking.

We get on very well and have made a great connection. I am calm, very obedient and have superb manners, even if I say so myself.

Diego - 15 years old, chestnut gelding

I am 15 years old and called Diego. I am regarded as the most intelligent with the nicest of manners, a true gentleman! My story is that I was once in horse-racing working very hard, then my career ended and I was passed from stable to stable. I ended up in a field for three years, forgotten about with just a few people trying to help feed me.

Then, I was noticed by a kind friend of Debbie-Maria called Carol. The authorities and everyone worked together as a team to rescue me and I was brought to Maria's Horse trekking. I was extremely underweight and have put on some weight since I have been here at Maria's Horse. I do need to continue putting on weight to be healthier, but I think I am getting there slowly.

I am cared for, groomed, fed and given clean water and lots of love and attention. This was all I wanted in the first place. I am mature and calm for a range of abilities. Lorna and Deb T and the team take me out on treks in the mountains and I enjoy myself again. I feel happy again.

Albie - 22 year old German Hanoverian chestnut gelding

Hi, I'm Albie (short for Albatross). At years old, I'm the longest family member as I have been with Maria for 15 years. She bought me when I was only 7 years old. I was a handful and very excitable back in those days.

Over the years she has trained, nurtured and cared for me during difficult times in my life. Maria rescued me from a tough eventing career in Germany. I love working with her because she is so kind and loving to our family.

I really enjoy trekking, though due to my handsome good looks, my huge popularity can go to my head, making me a teensy bit lazy. But I'm reliable, I'm the tallest (16 hands) and chestnut in colour. Oh and I love love love food food food!

In loving memory of Hildago

Hildago was an ex-polo who was rescued by Maria’s Horse Trekking and lived a happy life with us for many years. Brother of Lolita and Indiago, Hildago passed over the rainbow aged 18 years on 9th March 2023. Please know you are much missed and will always be loved and that you remain in our thoughts and hearts for eternity xxx