Haflingers anyone?

[debsey1]

In the next month or two I'm hoping to purchase a nice 15hh cob or cob x I love the breed and their hardiness, however I am now erring towards a Haflinger, they are so beautiful yet hardy, stocky and quite reasonable to buy unlike the traditional cobs that hold their price really well even in these tight times.

Does anyone on here own one and what advice can you offer me when viewing one to buy?

Thanks in advance

 

[celfyddydau]

Hi

There is a hafi sharing with my horse and a dalesxwelsh mare. The Hafi is prone to laminitis and gets fat on fresh air. Even over the winter he gets 6 pony nuts and a handful of chaff. Although we have hay out 24/7 as well

In the next village there are 5 on just over an acre and they are also prone to laminitis and live on fresh air. Also have a friend who used to have graded hafs and again she had to watch what they ate because of laminitis.

So my biggest question would be around that and check for rings on the hooves.


HTH

In the next month or two I'm hoping to purchase a nice 15hh cob or cob x I love the breed and their hardiness, however I am now erring towards a Haflinger, they are so beautiful yet hardy, stocky and quite reasonable to buy unlike the traditional cobs that hold their price really well even in these tight times.

Does anyone on here own one and what advice can you offer me when viewing one to buy?

Thanks in advance

 

[caitlineloise]

Hi there

I own a 14.3 Haffy Gelding and he's lovely! My friend at the yard also used to share one, so I know when going to view them you must make sure they have been handled correctly or they can be extremely bargy/nippy.

They're also very clever and will try and get out of everything first time, but just getting right behind them and not taking no for an answer, they're brilliant

Hope this helps

 

[kylie88]

Hi there

I own a 14.3 Haffy Gelding and he's lovely! My friend at the yard also used to share one, so I know when going to view them you must make sure they have been handled correctly or they can be extremely bargy/nippy.

They're also very clever and will try and get out of everything first time, but just getting right behind them and not taking no for an answer, they're brilliant

Hope this helps

^^^^ this. I own a 14.1 gelding and hes brilliant! but they do know thier own minds! Hes brilliant to ride, 100% in traffic and jumps anything. Yes he lives on fresh air but had him 5 1/2 years and never had lami (( touch wood ))

 

[Becca-84]

Hi I also have a 14.3 Haffy gelding. He is the sweetest, most loving pony I've ever owned. He is not bargy or ill-mannered, despite a lack of training and poor treatment before I got him aged 5. He has never had lami and has to be fed more than my other mare to maintain his weight (not massively, he just doesnt get fat on fresh air like she does). He is very light to ride, forward-going, willing to please and keen all the time. He is not stubborn or difficult to handle at all (looking at other comments, starting to doubt he's a haffy lol!)

The only problem we have with him is that he moves close behind and is lazy. He has a tendency to drag his toes behind, so has natural balance shoes to lift his heels and we do regular polework to keep him active. He also goes fully booted up, including over-reach boots behind because he brushes and clips himself all over the place.
He also got sweetitch quite badly this year and rubbed a lot of his mane and tail out, but this is the first year he has every had it and he is 11 now.

Other than that he is fantastic and I wouldn't change him for the world. I have some pics on photobucket but am at work at the mo so will try and upload a few later for you if you like.

Have fun searching

 

[pipstar]

Me me me!!!

I echo what Kylie and caitlineloise have said!! Mine is very hardy has 1 cup of balancer and some hay everyday and looks good for it! Has kept weight on well over this horrible weather unrugged whilst my ponies (British natives) have really felt the cold this year and have lost condition.

He is 10 and never had laminitis, can be rude and bargy but I take no nonsense and he has improved in the few months I have had him.

I saw one for sale on here the other day and also one on preloved in the Northamptonshire area.

Good luck

X

 

[Dolcé]

me please! We have a haffy mare, again lives on fresh air (so cheap to keep) and has never had lami. As said above, they can as a breed be bargy if they get away with it but are also dead easy to train (food - always good with a haffy) and quick to learn. Historically they used to live in the 'house' with the farmers who worked them and their nature is wonderful, they are real happy people friendly ponies, I can't help but smile when around ours. I would have a field full of them if I could!

 

[yvonne36]

I have one. Again, lives on fresh air. Very strong willed but once youve bonded with your Haflinger you're together for life!! My daughters like to tell me that she has me exactly where she wants me but I love it. Very vocal and very affactionate once you've got to know each other. Mutual grooming is a favourite. A very fun hack - can be forward going and never boring but I'm a beginner and I love it!

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I have one and she's great, tho I would say they (like many strong willed small cobs!) are best for an adult or adult/child share rather than as a novice childs pony. Mine can smell small child (aha fresh meat she thinks with an evil look!) from 50 paces.

Mine is hardly ever rugged (in NE Scoland too), is barefoot and lives on fresh air and is still a porker! Gets grass (and hay at night when in) in summer and hay/lo cal Horsehage + Hifi Light in winter.

Have done an endurance ride with her and other than that just hacking, over all terrain! Did do a dressage test as a 4 yo but sadly there was a cake stall in the indoor school entrance at 'A' :-O))))

I bought mine from Haffie Soc GB people as an unbroken filly so def we have a very strong bond. She is very greedy, very vocal and very very loving. With consistent firm loving handling they will do anything for you. I ride her in a Thorowgood cob saddle, webbing bridle and loose ring sweet iron bit (they do like to chomp)
She has redeemed Haffies in the eyes of my farrier who had met a few of the really bargy ones.

No sign of lami or of sweet itch. Shes rising 8 now.

I would def recommend them and they are good value unlike some of the other cobs who are very pricey!

 

[caitlineloise]

Any reason to upload a photo! I know it's on here somewhere else but another good reason to get a Haffy..?

They're very pretty Haha

x

 

[debsey1]

Caitlineloise - your Haffy is truly stunning.

The only thing that concerns me is Laminitis & sweet itch otherwise, there seems to be a lot more plus'es

 

[LEXIS-MAGIC]

Hi,
I recently broke a 14'1hh haflinger in and he is so clever but easy, he even stands himself next to the block to be mounted. He was roken in before the snow and did about 3 weeks work (hacking out alone too) and jumping small fences although he jumps 3ft loose, he had all the bad weather off and I pretty much tacked him back up, loosed him for 10 minutes and we were back to where we left off, 2 days later he rode in the school with another and didn put a hoof wrong. He also follows me everywhere and does tricks for me! I love him to bits but unfortunately he is now being put up for sale (I dont own him by the way) but he is so ready to have a family of his own, he has a heart of pure gold!!!!
Hope you find a fab haffy x

 

[cbmcts]

Oh yes all that everyone else has said but they're not little cobs they are PONIES and all that goes with it.

Stubborn
Insanely clever
Opinionated - they do like their own way of doing things.
Their sense of humour is very developed



But (and the real reason I love them) is that they are never going to do anything really stupid so, as long as you stick on them you are as safe as houses. They tend to be forward going but sensible rides who can turn their hoof to anything - they are more athletic than they look!

If you do get one get prepared to tie all gates, pony proof the feed room and polish up your negotiation skills and then you will be able to go anywhere, anytime with it.

As far as feeding is concerned they are generally good doers so care has to be taken with weight - but that would apply to the average cob too? Sweetitch isn't a major problem afaik, certainly most that I know have a full mane and tail......is it that SI cob types just get hogged to hide it in summer?

Oh and mine was known as the "Barbie" pony locally

 

[Tinypony]

I rather like them, sturdy, good doers, and pony personality. I've pm'd you.

 

[kylie88]

cbmct - my boy is known as barbie pony to.. lol

 

[caitlineloise]

Caitlineloise - your Haffy is truly stunning.

The only thing that concerns me is Laminitis & sweet itch otherwise, there seems to be a lot more plus'es

Thank you

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I cant resist gratuitous Haffie photo either now....

 

[Pixxie]

i mustve had the most awful experience as ive known a couple one was a sweet itch sufferer and lami prone and exceedingly bad mannered, untrustworthy and downright vile

however i did know one who was in a riding school and a poppet so i think it very much depends on the handler but i certainly know they can be incredibly stubborn and irritatingly clever (god maybe my welshie isnt welsh at all )

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Be careful as some Haffies (often the ones wrongly advertised as palomino, priced cheaply and being sold by dealers) are recently imported and have mainly been driven. They are quickly put under saddle for a quick profit and are therefore greener than their age implies.

 

[haffy1983]

I own a Haffy and wouldnt ever get another breed! hes hardy, very rarely ill/lame, good doer and 100% safe on and off the ground! we cmpete at dressage which he is really good at, but can also do a decent clear round and loves a bit of xc. Hes level headed and doent heat up at shows. A great family pony!! Hes only 14.1hh but my other half hacks him out (12 stone) as Charlie is so hardy and has no trouble carrying him!!

As u can tell im a HUGE haffy fan and cant recommened them enough! they are very greedy tho so u do have to watch their waistline !!

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I own a Haffy and wouldnt ever get another breed! hes hardy, very rarely ill/lame, good doer and 100% safe on and off the ground! we cmpete at dressage which he is really good at, but can also do a decent clear round and loves a bit of xc. Hes level headed and doent heat up at shows. A great family pony!! Hes only 14.1hh but my other half hacks him out (12 stone) as Charlie is so hardy and has no trouble carrying him!!

As u can tell im a HUGE haffy fan and cant recommened them enough! they are very greedy tho so u do have to watch their waistline !!

One other Haffie advantage, because they are Barbie pony I have found car drivers to be very courteous to us on the roads, as they (or often their passenger) is wanting to see the pony and often they stop for a chat to ask about her. Which all helps driver/rider relations and cant be a bad thing.

 

[haffy1983]

yes! charlie gets called the ' barbie pony' too! altho i dont help matters by dressing him in pink! i dont know about other peoples haffys but charlie manages to escape out the field on a regular basis, they r very clever and food orintated! xx

 

[Natz88]

I have a haflinger & they are fab. They are very good doers, sturdy, but they can be very bolshy & strong willed. I would have loads of them if I could. They ar elike marmite tho, you either like them or you don't

This is my boy Chuckie

 

[Puzzles]

I ride & look after 2 Haflingers and they are both fast, amazing jumpers, strong, full of character but easy and cheap to keep! They're also stunning and so versatile good luck with your search!

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

I own a haffie, he is fab. Gets fat on fresh air but has never been sick or sorry and is wonderful to ride - sharp, sensitive and forward without being stupid and always gives 100%.

He costs nothing to keep (out 24/7, handful of chaff, no hay, no rug, no shoes) and is an amazing jumper (clears 4') and knows his dressage as well. He is very polite, not at all bargy and just lives to please you. He is clever though and very tough.

I've known a few that were very strong to handle on the ground, could be bargy and ill mannered to lead... also under saddle I have known a lot of them prone to a cheaky buck if they think they can get away with it. The 'lighter' ones tend to be good jumpers though. Mine definitely shows more of the Arab influence which is why he is so sharp, the heavier ones tend to be more placid to ride, but also more strong willed.

I love the 'araby' hafflingers, but wouldn't touch the heavier ones personally. JMHO

 

[meandmrblue]

Any reason to upload a photo! I know it's on here somewhere else but another good reason to get a Haffy..?

They're very pretty Haha

x

awh gorgoues

 

[Niddlynoo]

I've had my Haffie for a couple of years and can honestly say he is the sweetest, friendliest an most vocal pony I know. My daughters ride him out on his own (and have done since we got him - he was 4 and she was 9). He will put a cheeky buck in when excited, but is quick to learn. He lives off just hay (but would rather have haylage, bucket feed and anything else going!) and is rugless.
I love them!

 

[Shadow-01]

My good friend keeps her Haffie at our yard, I'm sure she won't mind me posting a pic!

He is very friendly, loveable and very cheap to keep, lives on thin air and doesn't need shoes.

Very very clever (and a tad cheeky!) You have to be one step ahead of him as if you give him an inch, he'll take a mile!

Good to hack etc and beautiful to look at.

Not sure if they'd be my first choice of horse (I like my TB types!) but he has a home for life with my friend, she wouldn't be without him!

Here's the boy himself!

 

[as sweet as hunni]

I have a haffy x cob and you can defo tell she is haffy! she loves to please & be worked(not to fond of jumping, though) and will do anything for a carrot, but on the other hand she is a mare and can be stroppy! but that's when I put her in her place, but all in all she has a brill temp and took me to my first xc, I wouldn't be without her!

 

[Clava]

I have a haffy too who I backed last year and you couldn't ask for a sweeter kinder horse.

I have her two year old daughter too who is also gorgeous.