Haflingers

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hairymolly

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What do we think of them? My horse is up for sale and I have been doing some virtual shopping and I have seen a few haflingers. Now I think they look lovely but in general what are they like? I am looking for a fun, forward going, safe wee horse to hack, take to the beach, do lower level dressge and the odd showing class. All opinions and pictures appreciated. Thanks.
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I've had a haffy - and generally they have a good nature - quiet and honest. Lovely breed
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I think they wouold defo suit your needs
 
I've always wanted a haflinger but they're just too small for me
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(I'm 6 foot)
As far as I know, they are exactly as you just described, a fun, safe horse
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I had one. Stubben, naughty, almost killed a groom dragging them into hay bales. Wouldn't come in (charge off with u on lead rope). Lazy, bucked, reared, head strong. She was a fun character though and she was just used to fighting with people. I rode one recently and wanted to buy it!! It was forward, honest and fearless.
I guess it depends on the pony.
Go for it if you try one and it's a goodun'!!
 
I had one as well, she was lovely natured but she had a very stubborn streak too and she was very strong. After I sold her her new owner did a lot of dressage/jumping with her and they did very well. I think they need firm handling and a focus!
 
I have one, yes I love him, yes he is a pain in the bum.
They are very head strong, in my oh words big strong and stubben.
My oh rides him he is just over 6 foot and he does not look too big on him, they are very strong mine has lifted me of the ground and I am 18 stone.
They are not a novice ride, think small welsh, which wont do what you want then put an extra 60 stone on that to get 100 stone haffy pulling you around.
I know a couple of other people with haffys who all say they same they are hard work, but if you want to do that work then get one because they are lovely.
I would not be without my barbie horse !!!!
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Would definitely go with the stubborn and the strong, but are very easily trained out of negative behaviour. Our mare used to tank off with you on a leadrope and rear at you in the stable when she first arrived. It took two days to stop her tanking off when you open the field gate or stable door and she has never done it since. They are very forward going but also very safe. We are dead soft with all of ours but don't tolerate bad manners and Lyric responds immediately to voice and remembers her place. I bought ours for my novice and nervous daughter even though I had doubts but Sami insisted. That mare has looked after her every time we have been out and i wouldn't hesitate in letting the children ride her. However, she does tend to be different with other riders, ie. bolting down the field with a girl who wanted a go and was used to riding problem ponies, it seemed Lyric needed to prove she was in charge!!
 
I have one which I bought from breeders unbroken at 3. She is my horse of a lifetime. If possible, buy them as young as possible as you can then get the relationship with them and also be consistent and firm. I got to meet her mum who was like Ermintrude the cow, just needed a flower in her mouth twirling, lovely!
They are fantastic for long trots as they have a real spanking trot and can go for hours. Canter took her a while to master but great now.

She lives on fresh air (so no rich grass/hard feed) and is unshod which she is fine with.

Heres Liesel!
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i had one, sold her early 09, she was fab, best pony ever, she would take advantage if you were nervous or what ever, but she was sooo sooo lovable, hacked out, went to local shows did xc, dressage etc would do anything asked of her, and was mega cheap to keep
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loved her lots !!!!!! so ye would reccomend them
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I've had 6 which I used to work in the riding school.

People will have problems if they over feed them; when I bought the first one from a chap who imports them he said for gods sake don't feed them, they don't tolerate cereals at all well, makes them very silly!!

They have lots of stamina are fun, forward going to ride; never had one that bucked or reared and all were nice to handle

Obviously this is a massive generalisation all are different and depends on how they are trained and handled. Broke all mine myself.
 
I love them and would definitely think about having one myself, however I knew a few in a Riding School and they just took the pea. I think with a one on one, firm, consistent handling though, you wouldn’t have that problem.
If you are looking at Haffy’s don’t forget to have a look at Norwegian Fjords too. They are very similar, but Fjords have the dorsal stripe (I’m a bit biased because we have a Fjord and he is a darling).
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They look great doing what they were bred to do...pull a cart or grace a plate
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Before anyone starts about how awful I am...first of all, I have a sense of humour and secondly, Im serious
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. Ive backed and brought on a few and I cant say I like them.Would never trust one in a tight situation. Sorry, would prefer a Sec D.
 
very stubborn, but very loving, I only have to raise my voice now and my boy knows his place, however not sure if theyre all the same but mine needs something to focus on he gets bored very easily and I have to agree with the trotting, they can get to quite a pace in trot, it took me by surprise
they will eat for england if you let them, this is my first haflinger and im yet to meet someone who doesnt fall in love with them when they meet him.
 
I bought one for my hubby, who is not a very competent rider. she was strong as an ox and easily carried his 13 st and he looked fine on her (he's 5ft8). she was rather stubborn as others describe but also very pretty, nice paces, flexible, trainable and with a lovely nature, was great round the children (she had them both on her back and was great). I rode her a few times too. she never took advantage of hubby and could easily do dressage.

She never really spooked but suffered from sweet itch so we sold her and she went to live by the sea where there are fewer midges and was much happier. I think a haffy would suit your needs. They are very nice types. Good luck.
 
btw mine doesnt have sweet itch and I dont think they are more prone than any other pony breed, but it does happen. Always buy a pony in the summer, best way to know if they have SI or not!
 
Ours doesn't have sweet itch either but she has a bloody great belly, we had the vet out not long after getting her to find out when the foal was due - it wasn't, she was just very fat! I think she had been used as a broodmare.
 
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