Question about Haflingers

[suebingham]

There are 2 haflinger mares up for auction (one with the sweetest little foal imaginable) this Sunday near me. They are medium pony-sized and I am definitely thinking about them as potential grandchild riding ponys and they are also broke to drive (Woo-Hoo). They seem like honest quiet little souls... But they are both barefoot and their hooves look awfully weak, and brittle. I do not shoe my mare -- getting a good trim every 8 weeks keeps her in fine shape. I am not overwhelmed at the prospect of taking on 2 horses with problem feet. Anybody have any experience with this breed and can hopefully set my mind to rest?

 

[Folara]

Most have good feet and that wont be where your problems could lie.

From experience I can tell you that they can be very strong in body and mind so not always the best bet for a child. I know of 3 adults that ride have them and they are always saying how they are being 'carted' off with them.

 

[Enfys]

Hi EFP,

How are you?

I asked the same question a while ago. The overall impression I received was that Haflingers are pretty docile but massively built, despite their relatively small height. They are incredibly powerful and can be quite singleminded, and were not really suitable for small people to handle due to their strength. I think that they are very attractive ponies and they always remind me of a scaled down version of the Belgian.

I also went to an Expo and spoke to a breeder of Haflingers and asked him straight out whether they are suitable as children's ponies, his answer "Hell, No Ma'am! " He said he wouldn't have put his grandchildren on one and expected the child to have any control, they have lovely natures, just tend to do what they want to, when they want to.

I now have a Haflinger x QH/Standardbred, he is pretty strong, but has a super nature and is very biddable, but when he decides to set his head and go somewhere there is nothing short of being tied to a brick building that will stop him, he will just walk over you. (Note here, over me, not my daughter, he's very polite with her) I am currently breaking him to harness and will be putting some of that brute strength to use hauling timber, he'll enjoy that.

As with everything though, all horses are different and you are the person at the pointed end of the stick in this situation and will use your own experience. Ask 10 people and you will get a different answer from each one, that's always the way isn't it?

Good Luck and let us know how you go on please.

 

[random_rider]

folara- i ride haflingers and im 14 and have been riding for about 1 year! i ride one call eclipse and she is so good! would never 'cart' me off! and the other ones i ride can have the odd excited play about but every horse does! they vary in stuff like that!

 

[Haflinger]

I have just finished part loaning a haflinger who used to drive. He was quite strong willed and you wouldn't believe the size and muscle of his neck. Could be very strong when he wanted to be.
He was safe though and a very sweet character.

 

[suebingham]

Thank you all for your input! VERY interesting replies-- I would never have guessed that that these two might have minds of their own -- if anything, they seemed maybe a tad bit timid (but that could be from being hauled from Who knows where and being in a strange place) The foal on the other hand is quite outgoing (she's the one I've fallen in love with)

I think I'll watch and see how the bidding goes (I actually doubt it will go too high -- all three of them have largish and seriously untended feet which do not generally appeal to QH fanciers at all LOL!) and maybe bid on the mare with the foal. If successful, I'll certainly be mindful of everyone's thoughts on the breed's willfulness before putting one or more of the myriad little Binghams on. I suppose if worst comes to worst, I could ride the pony and put the kiddles on E with a leadline.

It's likely this or adopt another wild one next month and that prospect can be a couple years in the making...

Hi back atcha Enfys!

 

[Daphnelia]

I had a haflinger mare who was a nightmare to handle, strong willed is an understatement! She also had bad hooves, my farrier said its typical of the breed actually...


xx