the market for Haflingers

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Kelpie

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I'm looking at taking on a Haflinger for a project. 14.2hh 6yo that needs a bit of bringing on and to get out and see the world a bit/ do some riding club stuff and then try to look for a nice riding club type home for him.

However, I don't know what sort of people tend to want the Haffies so I'd really appreciate any feedback on whether people tend to like them/ prices/ whether they're seen much at riding club level, etc?

thanx!!
 
I'm more than sure that once you get more replies you will realise that people either love them or hate them - no in between! I love them and would have a yard full of them if I could. They are pushy if you allow them to be but once they realise they can't get away with anything are the most pliable, loving ponies I have ever met and I have never met a 'bad' one! I bought ours for my novice daughter who had lost her confidence after a bad fall, horrendous choice but she has been a star. I daren't ride her but she looks after my daughter like an angel, yet dumped a competent rider after bolting with her because she didn't like the way she rode. I would say that Lyric would make a fantastic RC pony and that the breed in general would excel in that field. The market! Well, if you have haffy lovers looking then it will be good, if not then not so good. Everyone loves them because of the 'pretty colour' then find they have an animal with a mind of it's own and can't cope so become haters!
 
This probably isn't much help, but where I used to ride they brought in 3 haffies, 2 of which were brother and sister - very appropriately named Hansel and Gretel! :p They were used as RS ponies, and would be used to take little kids around on the leading rein, and used for other lessons too. I used to occasionally take them out jumping in the field! I think they're relatively popular, most of the ones I've seen for sale are ride and drive, or happy hackers. But, it can completely depend on the horse, like I said, I used to take one of them out jumping etc. The third one was a very bold jumper, quite scopey for his size, but utterly fearless. There was also a Haffie x Welshie who was genuinely the best jumping pony I have ever ridden, he was full of character and was brilliant at local XC competitions, and was truly amazing at jumping. I have never seen such a fearless and scopey 13hh pony. That's all my experience with Haffies really! :) xx
 
Yep, marmite ponies is about right!
I love mine to bits, but her previous owner called her Evil Edna! They definitely have strong characters and can be bolshy if they have been allowed to get away with things. A lot of them have got a bad name through inexperienced people buying them for children because they look so pretty, but then have found them too strong. Of course, the poor pony gets the blame.
If they are handled firmly and fairly and respect you they are a delight - affectionate, clever, full of personality and versatile. Mine is friend for life and I wouldn't part with her.
Have a look at the Haflinger GB website for info. and photos of lovely hafis doing all sorts of jobs.
 
I love them, I have one he is strong, head strong but I love him. He is only 14.3, if a light weight rider goes on him he will take the pee, if I go on him he is a star. I would not put a novice on him.
Mine is the ideal family pony my oh can ride him, he is six foot and he does not look stupid, as he can take his leg, my girls can ride on lead rein when not on there own.

haffys are weight carriers or at least mine is.


good luck and can we have some photos please
 
I love haflingers, but my friend LOOOOOOOOOOOOVES haflingers.

There is a girl on youtube riding a Haflinger (my friend showed me surprise surprise) and she has him doing a nice dressage test, doing flying changes and everything!!! I can't remember what the search was under, but it was pretty cool, and there's a girl at my college with the most beautiful Haffie and I see her doing lovely flatwork on him and he jumps like a good'un!

I reckon my friend would bite your hands off for him if she could when you're selling... :-)

Good luck with it

xxxx
 
in terms of value, there are loads of dutch/continental imports, not all of which have been properly brought up, which as the posts below say, is VERY important for a Haffy as they are often sold as barbie ponies but are far from it, they are cheeky strong ponies and will spot a weakness if they can. the imports dont make huge money, maybe £2-3k, which is less than my GB one cost me unbroken, but she was unspoilt and had good Austrian lines.

on the positive side, if they are well handled they are fantastic, full of heart and strength, thrifty to keep and able to carry a medium adult. And they are beautiful, altho I prefer the slightly dishy araby look like my mare to the plainer heavier heads.

So if you can get Haffie on the right track, and poss sell to a teenager or lady adult, that would be ideal. Tell them to treat them as they might a welsh sec D, and they wont go far wrong.

My haffie girl just did her first endurance ride and there were 2 other Haffies there (even in NE Scotland!). Mine is barefoot and so was one of the others, and that one did over 150km last season.
 
thanx for the feedback guys, really helpfull.

Funnily enough, this chap is barefoot and apparently has good feet so I'm planning on keeping him that way - and maybe see if I can't get him out and about enjoying some pleasure rides/ NCR's, to get some of them on his CV, so to speak, in case a nice little endurance rider fancies him in the future :)

Watch out for an add for a nice riding club/ endurance haffie in about 3-6 months time, all being well! :)
 
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