jensheff26
Well-Known Member
can anyone whos got a haffy or rides one tell me a bit about them? what are there personalities like etc im thinking of one as a happy hack/ local show pony. do they jump ie local level pony club stuff
hafliger owners/riders
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Chestnut mare
Well-Known Member
My friend had a haff for herself and her daughter! They did everything with her pony club, sponsored rides, jumping, hacking etc! She was bombproof and 100% honest and safe! Was a little strong sometimes but that was her only fault.
lachlanandmarcus
Well-Known Member
i have one. If you can recommend getting one as young as poss, as they are definitely strong and opinionated coblets 
, and the younger you get them the more firm and fair treatment they will get (which they need!). Also bear in mind continental imports (as opposed to GB registered or Austrian imports) may have a percentage of non Haffy in them and still be registered as a Haffie, which is ok as long as the mixed in bit isnt goggly eyed nutter!
They do jump, the only issue with jumping is that lots of Haffie riders are adults and we sometimes find the lack of neck in front of us a bit horrifying, as they have quite a lot head carriage and most arent more than 14.2.
They are definitely ponies in personality, cheeky, funny, mine is very talkative. Shes a mare but not mareish. They are generally low maintence but you have to watch for lami, also for sweet itch, just cos they are such good doers. they will break through a fence for a blade of grass sometimes!
Mine is barefoot and has no hard feed other than a handful of Healthy Hooves in the winter and shes still too fat!
There are quite a few Haffies doing endurance which along with hacking is what I got mine for, at least 3 of them in my local endurance club, and they also have some at Balmoral as stalking ponies. Showng classes are limited as they arent UK natives. Quite a few do dressage tho and of course they are ideal for driving, their main original purpose.
Mine I wouldnt say is a childs pony for all the Barbie pony looks, as she likes to take advantage of anyone she thinks might be lower in the pecking order (Make sure you are at the top!). I have the closest most loving relationship with my Haffie that Ive ever had with a horse, even tho I also have a 17 hand gelding I have never been as close to him by far.
In summary I would def recommend them as long as they arent going to be too indulged, probably ridden by teenager upwards and they can have access to poor quality grass and stalky hay, which is what they need!
heres mine, 7 yo now, bought unbroken as a 3yo from her breeders (GB registered)
, and the younger you get them the more firm and fair treatment they will get (which they need!). Also bear in mind continental imports (as opposed to GB registered or Austrian imports) may have a percentage of non Haffy in them and still be registered as a Haffie, which is ok as long as the mixed in bit isnt goggly eyed nutter!They do jump, the only issue with jumping is that lots of Haffie riders are adults and we sometimes find the lack of neck in front of us a bit horrifying, as they have quite a lot head carriage and most arent more than 14.2.
They are definitely ponies in personality, cheeky, funny, mine is very talkative. Shes a mare but not mareish. They are generally low maintence but you have to watch for lami, also for sweet itch, just cos they are such good doers. they will break through a fence for a blade of grass sometimes!
Mine is barefoot and has no hard feed other than a handful of Healthy Hooves in the winter and shes still too fat!
There are quite a few Haffies doing endurance which along with hacking is what I got mine for, at least 3 of them in my local endurance club, and they also have some at Balmoral as stalking ponies. Showng classes are limited as they arent UK natives. Quite a few do dressage tho and of course they are ideal for driving, their main original purpose.
Mine I wouldnt say is a childs pony for all the Barbie pony looks, as she likes to take advantage of anyone she thinks might be lower in the pecking order (Make sure you are at the top!). I have the closest most loving relationship with my Haffie that Ive ever had with a horse, even tho I also have a 17 hand gelding I have never been as close to him by far.
In summary I would def recommend them as long as they arent going to be too indulged, probably ridden by teenager upwards and they can have access to poor quality grass and stalky hay, which is what they need!
heres mine, 7 yo now, bought unbroken as a 3yo from her breeders (GB registered)
cbmcts
Well-Known Member
They are great and can turn their hooves to anything. Mine (now retired) rode, drove, jumped and was as near bombproof as you're going to get.
They are very, very clever and combined with their absolute belief that they are ALWAYS right can be a bit of a handful if they are aren't managed properly as they will take advantage at every opportunity.
As L&M said despite their angelic appearance and steadiness I wouldn't consider them a "novices/first pony" as they do need a fairly switched on rider to be one step ahead of whatever wicked plan to get their own way at that moment in time
If you do decide to get one you will probably end up
1) Getting lots of attention when you hack out - little girls LOVE them
2) Being able to go anywhere, do anything safely - I've never met one who is stupid enough to put themselves in danger so as long as you stay on, you'll survive.
3) Learn how to build the pony equivalent of Alcatraz to keep them on a bare paddock 6 months of the year....mine destroys electric fencing by pulling up the posts at the top and dropping the tape He's clever enough to walk over the tape without getting tangled - if only the other fatties were as bright I'd be in a lot less trouble He also opens gates and can limbo under p&r......
4) Amazing TB, WB and Arab owners that your little Barbie pony can not only match them stride for stride out hacking, will give them a lead past the scaries and can compete with the best of them at RC level.
5) Learn a whole new vocabulary of swear words when they decide that the really, really know best at any given time and battle has to commence.....
I'd have another tomorrow if I could
They are very, very clever and combined with their absolute belief that they are ALWAYS right
can be a bit of a handful if they are aren't managed properly as they will take advantage at every opportunity.As L&M said despite their angelic appearance and steadiness I wouldn't consider them a "novices/first pony" as they do need a fairly switched on rider to be one step ahead of whatever wicked plan to get their own way at that moment in time
If you do decide to get one you will probably end up
1) Getting lots of attention when you hack out - little girls LOVE them
2) Being able to go anywhere, do anything safely - I've never met one who is stupid enough to put themselves in danger so as long as you stay on, you'll survive.
3) Learn how to build the pony equivalent of Alcatraz to keep them on a bare paddock 6 months of the year....mine destroys electric fencing by pulling up the posts at the top and dropping the tape
He's clever enough to walk over the tape without getting tangled - if only the other fatties were as bright I'd be in a lot less trouble He also opens gates and can limbo under p&r......4) Amazing TB, WB and Arab owners that your little Barbie pony can not only match them stride for stride out hacking, will give them a lead past the scaries and can compete with the best of them at RC level.
5) Learn a whole new vocabulary of swear words when they decide that the really, really know best at any given time and battle has to commence.....
I'd have another tomorrow if I could
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jensheff26
Well-Known Member
thanks for replys im definatly considering one to live with my very chunky cob mare and fat shetland, they seem really hardy and not the type to need 4 feeds a day which would be no good as my cob is a really good doer, iv seen one advertised but hes 6 and was bought for a novice 13yr old but they cant handle him as hes way too strong, he seems a good project that would carry me easily and be a small challenge, i just wanted to know about temperament first, lachlanandmarcus yours is lovely is she very wide and flat backed? the one iv seen seems to be,