I also need help on the breed of this horse please

[Kelly G]

I disagree. Geld him. Now.

Stallions are best with those who understand and are prepared to deal with their needs.

Geld. Him. Now.

You'll never be sorry you did it....but you may be sorry that you didn't to it.

No to Amish training...love the people and their culture - not a big fan of their (lack of) training methods.

I have two Norwegian Fjords - both fine driving (and riding) horses.

He looks like a nice little horse! He'll be an even nicer gelding

 

[misfitfarm]

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Again I am horse stupid So what does gaited mean? We do not have any other horses so far we can go out with him and he does not act any different than our mini donkey. The trouble we had was him trying to mount our gelded mini donkey

Donkey now lives with his mini goat friends in a different area. Our horse is very vocal! When he sees us he yells and just comes a running! This has just started the last week or so. He seems genuinely happy to see us and be petted and talked too.

 

[spiritdance]

I disagree with the "no Haflinger" opinion. I've had the breed for years and also known quite a few Hafie/Shetland and Hafie/Welsh crosses, and I can remember two of them just right off hand that looked remarkably like this (Hafie/Shetlands). And yes, some (actually, many) Hafies are that short - I just sold a 13 hand mare three days ago. Furthermore, silver dapple expresses quite readily on the Hafie Chestnutt genetics as long as the non-Hafie parent passes on a black gene along with the dilution gene. Also, the pony's head and "less drafty" build suggests a "modern type" Haflinger to me. Someone commented he didn't look drafty enough, but moderns are bred to be far more athletic than the original, drafty type. They do everything from dressage to jumping.

And yes, you should absolutely geld him. Whether "stallion" behavior is learned or not, the perception of the vast majority of potential owners is that stallions are trouble. Unless you know for sure you will never rehome this guy, you should give him the best shot at a good home by gelding him.

Finally, I would reverse the statement that "some Amish trainers are gentle" to "some Amish trainers aren't." Through the years I have owned a number of fine, very well trained horses that were bred and trained by Amish folk. Like any other group, some of 'em know what they're doing, and some of 'em don't. Don't base your choice of trainer on "Amish" or "not Amish," but on your own common sense and the advise of "horse people" around you that you know treat their animals well. Use your eyes and your brain, and ask any potential trainer for a demonstration. If he/she won't give one, walk away. Also ask for - and contact - references. Talk to folks at local stables, in local riding clubs, etc. Finally, ask to see the potential trainer interacting with his/her own horses and pay attention to the animals' demeanors. Are they "beat down," or are they alert but calm? Are they head-shy? Spooky? Overly nervous? And don't just look at one animal. Ask to see several. If the potential trainer is genuinely interested in the quality of his/her work and the welfare of his/her trainees, you should meet no resistance to these requests. If you do, WALK AWAY. It takes far more time, energy, and $ to undo bad training than it does to train right the first time.

 

[Kelly G]

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Geld him, now. You'll have more trouble if he tries to mount you or another person. I am serious. Dead serious. Do not play around with this.

As a gelding, you'll have a really nice horse! Even nicer with 90 days of training.

A gaited horse is is horse that walks, trots, canters....and slow-gaits, and racks. The slow-gait and rack are mostly the same gait done at two different speeds (slow/fast). These are Saddlebred terms for an even, four-beat gait. Slow motion video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIN-6oyJZ4M

It's a GREAT gait! I'd ride it all day!!!!

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Well spoken on training spiritdance. I think that is great advice on finding a trainer.

Very handsome fellow there Misfit. Kudos to you on researching and doing what you can for this guy. Hope everything works out!

 

[misfitfarm]

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Geld him, now. You'll have more trouble if he tries to mount you or another person. I am serious. Dead serious. Do not play around with this.

As a gelding, you'll have a really nice horse! Even nicer with 90 days of training.

A gaited horse is is horse that walks, trots, canters....and slow-gaits, and racks. The slow-gait and rack are mostly the same gait done at two different speeds (slow/fast). These are Saddlebred terms for an even, four-beat gait. Slow motion video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIN-6oyJZ4M

It's a GREAT gait! I'd ride it all day!!!!

Oh my goodness, I had no idea he would try to mount us!!!!!! Ok geld it is. My son has auspergers and has no fear of animals. He is the one who was able to after an hour harness the horse and get the horse to calm down. I can't take a risk of him getting hurt. My son is 15 but when they are autistic reality is a little different for them.

 

[Kelly G]

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Other breeds call it different things....but, largely, they are referring to the same 4-beat gait.

 

[misfitfarm]

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Thank you!!!! Too many animals out there with so much potential that people really don't realize. I like to help if I can even if it's a horse no one wants.

 

[misfitfarm]

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I agree that it is more likely to be a personal thing with the amish. I don't care what religion or lifestyle someone has as long as they can help my horse in a loving humane manner.

 

[Kelly G]

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Look....I'm not saying he is going to. There's no telling what he's going to do. But a stallion is a stallion and he is going to do what nature tells him to do that you allow him to do.

It is possible to have a well-mannered stallion that is very respectful of people...but it takes a knowledgeable horse person. I have had horses for 30+ years, and owned one stallion. He was gelded a month after I got him...because (with me) he was a better gelding than stallion. If you're not going to breed - you don't need a stallion. And VERY FEW stallions are accomplished enough (credentials) and quality enough to keep "the boys" if you know what I mean....