haflinger??

[chloe91]

Hiya everyone, am looking at buying a new horse, as am on the verge of giving up with my big boy; he's sooooo sweet but just too strong Anyway, have seen a gorgeous haflinger mare who sounds perfect but have never heard anything good about them, there was one at our yard who was very skittish, stubborn and threw the occasional buck when she felt like it, so has anyone had any good experiences with haflingers, I am a nervous rider so it's just putting me off a bit.

 

[spotty_pony]

They are known for being quite forward going rides. Although, the ones I know are really honest and both have lovely temperaments. They make good allrounders although they do need firm handling as they can become quite bargy.

 

[emm0r]

I know 2 at the moment ... Both stubborn pigs and need confident riders or they just do as they please.... regularly trashing electric fencing and refusing to be caught however they are cute !

 

[lhotse]

Just be aware that there are a lot out there with big problems. They have been poorly bred, imported on the cheap, and get sold off by unscrupulous dealers. Try to find one that has been bred in this country by someone who cares about the breed rather than making a quick buck out of their popularity.

 

[HandTS]

I have two, both very special in their own little ways, I’ve had the best horsey times ever with this great breed, as with any po they need firm handling and are very food motivated, they need entertaining every day, but they will give you the world in return, look up the Haflinger GB society website for further information and a for sale list, as with any breed check carefully the passport and check with society secretary its genuine before parting with any cash, good luck.

 

[kelly_s1]

Ive known a couple and viewed one this year to buy, very sweet nature, all rounder horses and stunning to look at, go view some and ensure they ride first and make your decision then i suppose the ones i have know and seen are very nice, one even done a 3 day event, good luck

 

[Petalpoos]

I have a Haffie mare that I bought about 18 months ago, mainly as a companion. She is very sweet and loving, but also very strong. Based on her, I would say that Haffies are definitely not for children or beginners, but if you know what you are doing then you should not have any problems - she can be very pushy and I have to be very consistent and firm with her, but then she is fine. There is no intentional harm in her, but she can be bargy at gates and doors and is very strong. Great though with other horse, people and dogs. Never kicked or bitten anyone or any of the animals or shown any aggression.

I rode her a bit when I first had her (just backed at 5) and she was lovely to ride, very forward going and smooth and took everything in her stride and never bucked or bolted or did anything wrong. Hard to keep a saddle on though as totally round! I only have time to ride my Trakehner mare, the Haffie just keeps her company, but if that were not the case I would be happy to ride the Haffie all the time as she was great fun. I bought the Haffie from a breeder in the UK (she was bred in the UK) and have also heard bad things about imported ones.

Good luck!

 

[cbmcts]

Haflingers are great - they ride like a big horse, forward going, brave and athletic but they are ponies by attitude.

I love them but they are bright enough to take advantage of a weak or novice handler. They do tend to be opinionated to say the least

The other thing to take into account is that they are very good doers and have to be managed taking laminitis into account making some yards unsuitable....I used to bib clip mine and leave him unrugged except in very wet weather (out 24/7) so he didn't come out of winter fatter than he started in Autumn. In the summer he was ridden or driven 6 times a week to keep him at an acceptable fat level! It can be a shock to some people if they are used to poor doer types.

I'd have another tomorrow if funds allowed.

 

[Maisie2]

I had neighbours with 3 - they all got laminitis and were eventually put down because they weren't properly managed and left out 24/7 on too much grass I was told that the Indian Army used these horses because they were such good doers, not sure if this was true but it seems to fit. Depending on your grazing this could be an advantage - or not!

 

[pipstar]

Haflingers are great - they ride like a big horse, forward going, brave and athletic but they are ponies by attitude.

I love them but they are bright enough to take advantage of a weak or novice handler. They do tend to be opinionated to say the least

The other thing to take into account is that they are very good doers and have to be managed taking laminitis into account making some yards unsuitable....I used to bib clip mine and leave him unrugged except in very wet weather (out 24/7) so he didn't come out of winter fatter than he started in Autumn. In the summer he was ridden or driven 6 times a week to keep him at an acceptable fat level! It can be a shock to some people if they are used to poor doer types.

I'd have another tomorrow if funds allowed.

Totally agree!!! Mine is a nightmare on the ground, can be rude, bargy and nippy (I'm working on all of them!) Ridden he is a true Gent, very honest,makes me feel very safe!

good luck x

 

[joseyjo88]

I have an imported mare in to school for the winter and she is very sweet, she was brought over in march, had a foal and came to me in september, she was naughty and as green as grass when she came, but in 2 months is really cracking on. she no longer barges, went out sj last week and did 2'6, and works really sweetly on the flat. However she does pop in the odd buck, and the old drop a shoulder and spin, a haffie speciality. Her owners have another who was imported about 8 years ago now, they have owned him since and he is a saint, has done RDA, worked in riding school.
They are good alrounders but i echo the others, confident riding and handling, give them an inch and they will take a mile.
I would say go for a gelding if you want an easier life.

 

[henryhorn]

They are very much a mixed bunch form what I've seen, some are really opinionated and awkward and others dream horses.
I once spent the day at the National Haflinger Show and came away thinking they weren't my cup of tea after hearing so many owners in the stable area moaning about their problem horses.. but a local riding school here has 7 and swears they are their perfect horse. (they sell them if you want a reliable source pm me).
If you do buy one please do not part clip them and turn out rugless, a clipped horse needs a rug to replace the heat loss and it's pretty mean to allow them to stay unrugged. If you think this is not so, just remove your top half and go and stand outside for a bit, your horse will feel the cold exactly the same...

 

[Paint Me Proud]

there is one on our yard and she is a nightmare - pushy, bad mannered and impatient. Dont know what she is like ridden as i have never seen her with a saddle on - she is just a spoilt pet i think.

 

[chloe91]

Thanks everyone for posting back, I guess it kinda depends on the horse but tbh I think haflingers are still gonna be a no , I've had a very bargy pony before who was lovely to ride and really don't want to go back down that road, would much rather have a quiet, ploddy doddy cob boring I know but anything for an easy life lol

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Mine isnt bargy or rude (tho very talkative and full of character) BUT she was GB reg and I met her mum and knew all her history and got her before breaking in and so have been able to set the groundrules.

Im a nervous rider too but going through the breaking in with her made me have to step up to the mark strangely, but I certainly would be wary of an already broken in haffie being sold on, as I would any fairly strong and strong willed cob type.

Mine is an absolute horse of a lifetime, but I know thats not always the case. Imported haffies arent inferior as such BUT they are bred in large numbers, not given one to one consistent handling necessarily and also a small percentage can be non Haffie and they can still be registered in some EU countries, which isnt the case with GB ones. So it is more of a gamble.

I suspect Haffies would be great at the riding school as they know where they stand in the hierarchy and are given enough work to keep their minds and bodies occupied.

They are extremely good doers and most have very good feet, mine is unshod and we are riding on granite stony tracks, tarmac, gravel and grass. Our farrier was hesitant to take her on cos he'd had a few bolshy haffies, but thankfully she has redeemed the breed reputation as she nuzzles his jeans when he trims her feet. She doesnt buck or kick either.

Overall I would say as a nervous rider they may not be for you unless you find one where you know all the history.

 

[cbmcts]

If you do buy one please do not part clip them and turn out rugless, a clipped horse needs a rug to replace the heat loss and it's pretty mean to allow them to stay unrugged. If you think this is not so, just remove your top half and go and stand outside for a bit, your horse will feel the cold exactly the same...

A couple of years ago I would have agreed with you but this was the advice we were given by WHW and our vet - as they pointed out that allowing native types to get laminitis is crueler ( v bad grammar!) than making them use their natural fat store as nature intended to keep them warm. These are very good doers that live out in well sheltered fields with just hay and mineral licks - highlands, my haffie and a WB (who previously had laminitis) have done 3 winters like this without obvious discomfort and have been able to live a contented life rather than being in and rationed severely just to maintain their weight.

Not the answer for everybody certainly but IMHO the lesser of 2 evils when you are fighting a horrible disease.....

 

[~darcy~]

arrrr
theyre beautiful my friend has one he's so knid and gentle.
x

 

[La Fiaba]

I've got one and she's a star. Not bargy or pushy at all, ride her bareback in a headcollar out on a hack, you could put a baby on her or your granny and you'd trust her 100%, she's even registered showjumper with FISE, can't say enough good things about my Wilma! Everyone who rides her asks if they can buy her (never selling her of course!)

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

And of course there is the issue of how you resist their charms....

 

[FanyDuChamp]

Hiya everyone, am looking at buying a new horse, as am on the verge of giving up with my big boy; he's sooooo sweet but just too strong Anyway, have seen a gorgeous haflinger mare who sounds perfect but have never heard anything good about them, there was one at our yard who was very skittish, stubborn and threw the occasional buck when she felt like it, so has anyone had any good experiences with haflingers, I am a nervous rider so it's just putting me off a bit.

Not too sure about Haffies, never owned one. But if you want a calm, gentle horse who will be fairly bombproof have a look at the continental cold bloods. They tend to be calm gentle horses. Fany is the kindest, gentlest mare I have ever met. Not mareish even when in season, bomb proof and a good doer.

Hope you find the horse you can feel comfy with.

FDC

 

[Hoofprints in the Snow]

I know 2 at the moment ... Both stubborn pigs and need confident riders or they just do as they please.... regularly trashing electric fencing and refusing to be caught however they are cute !

I have one that will gallop from the furthest part of a very large field If I call him and will put his nose in the headcollar to get caught. He is very cute, but he is strong when he wants to be, but is a quick learner.