Does everyone hate Haflingers?

Missed off last post
Out with the bloodhound :)
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All is becoming a little clearer now. My livery client is trying to sell hers
and there has been no interest, I didn't realise they came with a reputation!

Yes, the little mare came with attitude but with some firm handling and a reminder of her manners is now a super little pony that jumps, goes XC, is a bombproof hack..but is incredibly cheap to keep

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what is not to like?
 
I adore mine and the breed in general. He was rude, nippy, bargy, stroppy and a really a wild little brat when I first got him, but a bit of discipline, patience and consistency and he is like a different pony. He is amazingly quick to learn, but this includes bad habits too. He still tests me all the time, and I am sure that he will continue to do so. I can cope with his stubborn side though, as he is gentle, full of character, super friendly and although still a baby has proven to be totally unflappable in all situations so far. He was only 3 when I got him though, and had his bad behaviour been allowed to continue as he grew up, I think that he would have turned out to be really quite horrible! I researched the breed a lot before I went ahead and brought him, and had heard a lot of bad things, but I do love that pony character and was prepared for some hard work. One look at his face and I was gone!
 
the watcher said:
what is not to like?
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Exactly :) Mine are not rude or bargy or nasty - they are gently and kind and very affectionate. Hattie has the sweetest nature and even though I only backed her this year (just 6, she was rescued last year), she's a dream to hack and behaved like a pro out with the bloodhounds for the first time (my first time too).
 
We're novices with our first horse - a Haflinger!! A stunning 6 year old gelding, who I wouldnt change for the world! He is an absolute delight. He can be strong at times, and a bit of a naughty teenager, but he the most loving affectionate horse I know.

He was only broken last November, and he's done a lot of parelli which I have found wonderful.

Myself and my two daughters ride him, and he tunes into each of us. My 9 year old has jumped him, and my 11 year old just plods in the school - she isnt the rider that my youngster is and lacks confidence, but Tao responds to this so well and really drops his game and lets her take it all at her own pace.

I was reluctant to ride initially, having previously been bolted and thrown from another horse, but I have gained so much confidence from our lad, madness or not, he is a diamond!!

I'd always have a Haflinger. They are out of this world, and can turn their hand/or hoof to anything. Just can't wait for the 2nd one :)

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marmite ponies methinks! they do seem to get a fairly bad rep...we've had a few on my yard, all have definitely had their beast-ish moments but i have to say iv hunted max (in the pics below) and he was a legend! cant say im a massive fan from my experiences but i dont think its fair to tar them all with the same dirty brush!!
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I love hafligners & have one myself. I wouldn't say they are perfect for young children as they can be very strong (well mine is lol). I have had mine nearly 6yrs & for a good 3yrs I had nothing but hard work to the point I felt like giving up on him & I am so glad I didn't he still not perfect but he better than he was. The people I bought him of rescued him from a market so don't no his background. I couldn't part with him as he isn't always easy to ride it would worry me he would end up back in a market. Although to handle he is fantastic I could let anyone do what they want with him on the ground. I think you either like them or you don't & I am a big fan :)

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I love Haflingers! I bought my welsh cob because he was a rescue and needed a home but a haflinger was the top of the llist of what i wanted. Only met two but they were both both lovely ponies.
 
When I was in my teens I had a Haflinger mare on loan and she was brilliant, she was a fantastic jumper (a bit like a bull in a china shop when it came to cross country - she was fab though!!!), had a lovely temperment, was great out on the roads etc.

Sometimes I think people have misconceptions of certain breeds when they may not have actually handled/ ridden them or had alot to do with them.
 
There was a Haffie at my old yard, she was very sweet, my share horses 'girlfriend'! Although I never rode her I know she's a bit of a tank but she was an awesome jumper, jumping up to 4'6! She was good to school too, although I never agreed with her owner who kept her in draw reins most of the time. I'm pretty sure she was a relatively good hack, could be a bit spooky and she did have a habit of rearing but they stopped that.
Really, her owner does very well with her even though she's very slight. I'd probably not have one but I don't like strong, tanky horses!
 
I have a haffy X section D (nightmare combination I hear you gasp! Lol). He is determined, stoic and full of character. He can be grumpy, but he has an amazing bond with my mum and is very talented at dressage and loves to jump. I have worked with young haffies at a breaking yard and found them all to be sweet, willing little things. Our old lad can test my patience sometimes, but goes like a dream for my mum. He is a one woman horse! And we love him to bits!
 
I HATE PEOPLE WHO POST Do you hate this or Hate That posts just trying to stir up a reaction, It is so much easier for people to get on and it would be a sad world if we were all the same.
 
Ive had my 8 year old haffy since he was 4 and cant fault him!! We compete up to elementary BD, he is safe and very trustworthy, never lets me down and is safe with small children too. He is a gentleman to handle too. Only thing id say is they are greedy gits! lol I wouldnt have another breed now, hes 14.1hh and where they are stocky, my 12 stone bf hacks him out with no problems. I cant recommend Haffys enough!:o

Obviously u get good and bad in all breeds of horse, so u may well meet a bad haffy like u may meet a bad Arab, tb etc. Im 9 months pregnant now, but rode (light hacking and dressage) up until dec. I couldnt and wouldn't of done this on a pony i didnt trust 100%. He didnt let me down and we competed at the dressage masters in july, even tho we got a few funny looks for being about 3 hands smaller than everyone else!! As u can see im a BIG haffy fan! lol x
 
I think they are attractive beasts but must admit that the couple I have know were cussed little gits, to be fair though both owners were a little strange so perhaps not fair to blame the ponies :)
 
When I was horse-hunting a few years back, I went through a phase of wanting one badly!

I thought they were gorgeous; and very different.

However, after trying four in total of them, I've seriously gone off them. They might look gorgeous but thats about it IMO.

Perhaps I wasn't being shown a "good" example of the breed, or whatever, but the ones I saw were either nappy, or had other issues. One tried to buck as soon as I sat on it, the other had a water phobia and wouldn't go near a puddle by the side of the road.

All of them without exception were exceedingly uncomfortable to ride. Their paces were unco-ordinated and lobby and even with a professional rider on board the last one I viewed, it still looked like something just backed to be honest. And riding it was like riding a cow!

They look lovely, granted, but my experiences of them in ridden work wasn't good.

IMO they're best suited, comformation wise, to be driven only. Perhaps the breeders of them should take note and (long term) thinnk about producing them for riding?

They look nice, granted, but to ride IMO you'd need a good chiropractor permanently on call!
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
When I was horse-hunting a few years back, I went through a phase of wanting one badly!

I thought they were gorgeous; and very different.

However, after trying four in total of them, I've seriously gone off them. They might look gorgeous but thats about it IMO.

Perhaps I wasn't being shown a "good" example of the breed, or whatever, but the ones I saw were either nappy, or had other issues. One tried to buck as soon as I sat on it, the other had a water phobia and wouldn't go near a puddle by the side of the road.

All of them without exception were exceedingly uncomfortable to ride. Their paces were unco-ordinated and lobby and even with a professional rider on board the last one I viewed, it still looked like something just backed to be honest. And riding it was like riding a cow!

They look lovely, granted, but my experiences of them in ridden work wasn't good.

IMO they're best suited, comformation wise, to be driven only. Perhaps the breeders of them should take note and (long term) thinnk about producing them for riding?

They look nice, granted, but to ride IMO you'd need a good chiropractor permanently on call!
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can't agree, my RI comments on what fantastic movement my haffy has.
 
Faracat said:
I have no problems with Haffys. :)

I do get a bit fed up with the dealers who import a few cheaply that have mainly been driving horses on the continent, call them 'palomino' (Grrrrrr!), get them riding ok and then promptly sell then as novice rides for far more than they are really worth. This is however not the ponies' fault. It does explain somewhat why they have a bad reputation though, but any strong minded, green pony and a novice rider, isn't really a good combination.
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I am exactly that sold a beautiful Haflinger by a dealer as a first time owner...and I didn't know what had hit me! Something so beautiful yet so damn naughty bucked me off every week for the first year!
However I loved him so much I persevered.....thank god as I am now blessed (five years later...+££££) a beautiful easy to do, very willing to please riding pony.
I had to comment even though this is such an old thread as it sounded like my life story! :)
 
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