Which Haflinger would you choose?

[greeneggsandham]

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I know of a few people that use them for therapeutic riding.

My mom has a Haffie and a Haffie cross that I have ridden and I think they are pretty smooth. I can sit their trots easy just like my Saddlebred no bouncing all around.

The few Haffie's that I have known have never been mean or disobedient. They are kind of mellow like a draft horse, but that doesn't mean they are all like that. Which is what I try to tell my husband.

 

[Funky Feathers]

Quote:
Ooooh-la-la!!

 

[Oregon Blues]

[[[[.......I don't like the build or body language of the first mare.....]]]]]

What body language? She's been set up in a show stance and the photographer has whistled, or opened an umbrella, or squeaked a squeaky toy to get her to put her head up, her ears forward, and look alert.

I like the looks of the first mare better. The second one is soggy looking and the first just looks finer bred. The second looks like she could handle more weight. Actually, I suspect that the first photo was taken when the mare was a lot younger. Maybe when she was being shown, because she sure looks young to me.

Some of the difference in size is fat. The second mare is pork fat and the first is in working trim. There is some difference in bone but not quite as much difference in size as you'd think at first glance.

However, I would not buy any horse that I had not seen in person, run my own hands over the legs, tacked up and ridden by myself and before the owner took her out to work the buck out of her.

Personality is a huge factor when you buy a horse to ride. You want a horse that you knick with. You want a horse that is a joy to be around and that likes to be with you. It doesn't matter how experienced a horseman is, he can't tell you if the horse will suit your personality.

I can go and look and a horse or a dog will behave perfectly for me and not be the same animal at all for someone with less experience or a less alpha style or that has stronger hands or weaker legs or a different seat than I have. I use my weight and my voice. A rider who relies upon their reins is going to get something different out of a horse than I do. So how can you expect someone else to evaluate a horse for you?

I once went out and looked at a superb horse. He was gorgeous and perfect under saddle. Then the person who was thinking of buying him, who had years and years of riding, got on him and was terrified. He was much too powerful and too finely tuned for her. She was sure he was going to run away with her, and he very well might of if she rode him several times, because her riding style confused him. Yet I would have highly recommended him. Gorgeous animal, a real Ferrari of a horse.

 

[jbourget]

Oh aunty jenn, why another horse before winter! lol...well i know why. thats a nice stallion. icy blue eyes. A foal would be fun to have, if i was Irving i would get the second one. That foal by her looks very nice and if she throws one like that for you well i might have to get my first horse.

Say.......Have you forgot about Harry boy over there at grandma-mas? he is a stalky dude and i bet peanut is dying to buck somebody off him

Instead of paying for a new horse put the money into training him, he needs it! he is still young too. could get alot of great use out of him i would ride him if he was manageable!!

 

[greeneggsandham]

Quote:
Hey hun I am not getting involved with gram's ponies. I told her to send peanut to Kay's, but she won't and grampy paul doesn't listen when I tell how to handle the ponies. When I have ridden them I had no problems they respect me as I do them. Two months at Kay's would have peanut going like he should be. He was green broke when gram bought him, but then never followed through with getting him finished. He is fun to ride as is harry. Plus Irvin wants a mare not a gelding.
Oh yea that mare and stallion combo throw the spotted foals. The owner/breeder showed me all three of the foals beauty has had and every one is colored. We may just be taking a ride to Ohio as a friend has a trailer we can borrow.

 

[kidcody]

I have trained and been around many! All I can say is good things aboutr this breed. Wondedrful to be around and very willing workers!

 

[jbourget]

Cool, oh hey look what i found on CL just now.... check it out...local too

http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/2693164911.html

 

[greeneggsandham]

Quote:
I'll tell Irvin. You should come over and ride sometime.

 

[jbourget]

thatd be fun. the back fields cut by now i would assume...what you got now for birds??? turkeys and what not still?

 

[greeneggsandham]

Just an update. My husband and I have looked at Haflingers that were local to us and tho they were nice looking still not what my husband wanted.

One was greenbroke and a total brat. NO ground manners at all. I hate when you take a horse for a walk and they keep trying to "walk" over you, pushing you, just being plain disrespectful.

Another was a nicely put together mare that did dressage, but had foundered when she was younger. Does not drive and really didn't seem to like my husbands grandkids.

The last two were a brother and sister team that are 18 and 19 a bit older than what we were looking for, but went to see them anyways. They are pulling ponies, not broke to ride and I swear they were crossed with something else. These two were pretty big for haffies at least 15 hands and very stocky.

So it looks like we will be heading to Ohio in January to take a look at the original two.