Hutch the Halfie **The Last Chapter on Pg. 18**

[EweSheep]

WOW! I love the old charm of that house!!!!!!!

I bet the house has alot of stories to tell! And you said you are a stone's throw from that battlefield????? Man, I would love to go visit there since my hubby and I are CW reenactors and the only true battlefield I've went to was Chickamunga, GA. And now we are talking about going to more battlefields.

 

[Msbear]

I really admire the foster homes out there. It's one thing to rescue for yourself... It's a whole new ballgame to welcome an animal into your home, fall in love and let it go to a new home. That's selflessness.


Well.... don't laugh. I did find some old pics. The first is of me and hy first horse, Lincoln. He was a retired racehorse and retired polo pony... and was my bud. We got so comfortable with eachother, I hooked up lead ropes to both sides of his halter and would ride him bareback. I guess polo taught him the lean. Man, that horse would turn on a dime with just a lean.

This one was taken the same day... same cool phone
Me and Baby.. my pet rooster I raised from a peep. I loved that little sucker and he followed me everywhere

Here is Miss Bear when I first got her. That's loser boy's legs in the pic. I think she's giving him stink eye!

And here she is a few years later in Rusty's townhouse with his neice and nephew. She turned into a big, lazy lap dog

And, here's wedding day!! June 12, 2004

 

[Msbear]

Quote:
EweSheep, you would love it here... let me find my reenactor pics! That'll be a real hoot

We have a heritage festival every year where the town dresses up and strolls around. The town council is now thinking it is "dwelling" on a dark past so, now they toss in some bluegrass bands, beer and dancing to lighten up the mood. We can hear the music from the house. ..could've had our own festival

 

[MomtoSyd&Emma]

I LOVED and miss those huge old phones lol I had one similar to it until a few years ago, man that thing was awesome to hold on my shoulder while I multitasked, the new phones are so small that they are hard to hold onto like that lol

Your Rottie was gorgeous! I swear she was giving losers "lap" a look like I can neuter him very easily lol

and your wedding was GORGEOUS! I have no photos on the computer from our wedding (17yrs ago) but I have TONS of photos in my photo album!!

Your first horse was a beauty. I just love the smell of horses, the sound and smell of creaky leather, hay and grains

 

[fluffychicksmomma]

MsBear, I'm getting to this "party" a bit late, but as a horsewoman for well, I guess about 30 years, I just wanted to add my 2 cents. : ) Tuff said it best, just let the negative comments go, and pick out what is helpful. Congratulations on being the proud owner of a Haflinger! When properly filled out, they are beautiful horses and I think you have a very good horse for your first horse. Too many people get some young pretty thing and try to put their kids on them, green and green don't go together. This horse is mature and so far seems to be exhibiting a typical Haflinger disposition. They are known for having steady, quiet, and calm temperments. They generally aren't crazy about running around a lot, and you won't find any of them being used as race horses, but I think they are really great esp. for beginners and kids. Many of them do get trained to pull carts, they are built well for that. I love Haflingers myself and have been trying to find one for nearly-adult disabled daughter. Shes a big tall girl and I know a Haflinger can support her weight just fine, yet they are lower to the ground than most any full-size horses and she can get on easier. I haven't been able to find an available Haflinger arond here yet, and they are quite exspensive to purchase. I recently bought an older QH mare that is kid-safe for $500, but the cheapest Haflingers I have seen around here are about $2000, and thats with minimal training. Again, they are very mellow, gentle horses (generally speaking, every horse has its own personality), and despite their large size they are also known to be "easy-keepers". Once you get his weight up to where it should be, you will probably find that pasture and good grass-hay is all he will need. Most horses never need any concentrates unless they need weight-gain, are in training or pregnant or are real performance horses. A good book is a great idea, may I suggest "Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook". You can possibly find one on ebay pretty cheap. This book is my horse-bible, lol! It contains pretty much any info you could possibly need( its pretty thick). I have yet to come across any problem or question I have encountered that it doesn't have information on. Most of the time I look it up in my book first, and then I will know if I need the vet or not.
One thing I would recommend is that when you are getting a saddle, there is a very specific type of saddle you will need and saddles are not cheap. Get as educated as you can before you put the money in a saddle, you do not want to end up with an ill-fitting saddle that you can't use. Any saddle does not fit any horse. I have 5 horses and they all have to have their own saddle that fits them. Because Haflingers are so wide, they have to have saddles made for draft breeds and draft crosses, they actually make a Haflinger saddle. Saddle fit is very important, because poor-fitting tack can cause a horse great discomfort which can in turn cause behavioral problems, not to mention saddle sores and all kinds of other issues.
Anyway, best of luck, you have a very handsome boy,(um, I guess I should say boys and count your 2-legged one as well, lol!), I think you have years of horse-happiness ahead of you. : )

 

[Msbear]

awe.. thanks so much. I have been looking at saddles with a wide tree. ..pretty hard to come by. I may get a bareback saddle for now... just so he can get some grip. I can get one of those pretty reasonably.

I will look on ebay for the book.. sounds like something that could really come in handy.

And, yeah, he it typical to the breed so far. Very quiet and sturdy and Im noticing he's very sure of himself. He is a confident little guy and I think that's a great quality.

 

[EweSheep]

 

[denim deb]

Fluffychicksmomma, where are you located? I have a friend that picked up a haffy cheaply at New Holland auction in PA. She was young, and not trained. But, w/just a little bit of training, she started to use her for pony rides. She does great. And, the kids all love her. Plus, w/her size, many of the adults want to ride too!

 

[Msbear]

Yeah, they sell by the pound at New Holland. ... was thinking of going later this Winter for a buddy for Hutch. Im definitely taking someone with me that knows their stuff.

 

[breezy]

Just wanted to tell you Msbear that you have the patience of Job! I read all 14 pages and was left feeling frustrated and edgy from all the "helpful advice" you got that came across as condemnation and lecturing. While Im sure the intentions behind them were good I think sometimes people dont realize how harsh it can sound. Your doing a good thing for that pony and your kids are going to be fine. Each generation looks back at the way they were raised and shakes their collective heads wondering how they survived it all. Kids fall down, they get thrown off horses, horses fall on them ,dogs bite, bees sting, fish hooks get poked into fingers and still we survive as we always have. Good job on the pony ,good job on the parenting and bless you for your patient nature.
PS wouldnt mind seeing those tubs full of plants and in full bloom when you get them done