Thinking about a Haffie pros and cons?

Twinkley Lights

Twinkley Lights

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As per the title really any experiences appreciated , I've seen an older girl C.13 near me who is apparently good as gold (friend of a friend knows the horse) before I go and fall in love any reflections on the breed?

Thanks tea and kitkat to all who respond:D
 
Cons? What cons? Haha ok they do have a reputation for being bargey, and can be opinionated, but it all boils down to them being clever. You give an inch, they take a mile, its just a question of maintaining boundaries such as getting them to wait politely at feed time, telling them firmly to back out of your space if they get bargey, they learn all these things quickly so it is just a question of how you use that learning capacity.

My haffy is very respectful, doesn't invade your space because she knows her boundaries. She
 
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She picks things up sooo quickly, you can't really boss her about, but she will do anything for food, even if she hates it such as picking up feet, she hated it but now is great with a bit of food reinforcement now and then. She can be spooky but takes confidence from me, she likes to get to know people.

They are obviously good doers but mine does not live on fresh air like some. She lives out and has never *needed* a rug but I do put one on when very cold/wet.
 
Thanks I've already got a rescue mare who was bargy at first and can be if you give her the chance so that wouldn't be an issue. I just really want a safe reliable new member of gang for hacking and some RC , local shows etc. Apparently she had lami once but my network says she was on unrestricted hay , feed , turnout etc and I'm used to running a boot camp for my mare already.
 
Yeah it wouldn't necessarily put me off as its all down to management. Poor pony! How big is she? I have a 15 hand one, more of the sporty type but still extra wide at her skinniest!

They are super versatile, often good jumpers, what's not to love about the golden ones...

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mandwhy said:
Yeah it wouldn't necessarily put me off as its all down to management. Poor pony! How big is she? I have a 15 hand one, more of the sporty type but still extra wide at her skinniest!

They are super versatile, often good jumpers, what's not to love about the golden ones...

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Thanks lovely piccie so cute. She is 14hh but I'm a small adult so should be ok her current jockey is 5ft 9". She jumps small at the moment ... but so do I:o so no worries there:D
 
All I can say is my Haffie is my horse of a lifetime (mind you it was easier as i got her as a youngster unbroken). The GB bred/registered hafffies are sometimes easier than the imported ones as they arent bred in such large numbers so they get generally more handling and manners training, also the imported ones are often driving rather than riding bred/handled.

I also think a Haffie mare is, altho possibly even more opinionated than a gelding, very easy to communicate with, you really can see in their eyes what they are thinking.

Haffies have the bargey, stubborn reputation up here but mine has revised both vets and farriers opinion of the breed and they all love her.

I dont think they are any different from any other cob, firm and fair handling, mostly fed as tho they are lami even if they werent is safest. Sometimes they dont get them as people think they are barbie ponies for kids (only if you dont want your kids much, they tend to see them as Fresh Meat!), and also with the mass imports of Haffies they also dont always get the right handling.

I would go for it if you get on well with the Haffie you are looking at.

Happiness is a Haflinger after all....heres Liesel!
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Twinkley Lights said:
Thanks loving the photos of lovely Haffies (and the stunning Cairngorms, the hills of home) I think this one is an import but she looks very well schooled.
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She sounds great then!! I do think they are quite good value all rounders for ladies.

I prefer jumping on my big horse tho, but only cos he has a nice big neck to save me if he balloons a jump whereas with Liesel its all happening underneath you so you have to be properly balanced :-DD

Mine is barefoot and ridden in synthetic tack and lives on fresh air. Perfect.

I havent regretted getting her for one second.

One thing is I find drivers very courteous when Im hacking out on her, because they are so striking and pretty, drivers slow down and often want to ask about them and admire them, and if they have any kids with them you can end up with a patting session!

Should add, the fact she has had lami will make her hard to sell, so you ought to be able to get her for a very keen price.
 
Thanks I'm not sure if current owner was planning to mention lami (hopefully she would have done) but my spies tell me that she had it and has been fine ever since. She is a tad overpriced for her age and exp so if all boxes are ticked then I would offer keen and manage the lami issue via my bootcamp for fatties a cause which I'm very dedicated to as it rules my life:D
 
OP you need to follow The Fat Pony on Facebook. Its a brilliantly amusing everyday account of life as a Haffie. Should give you a pretty good understanding of what your letting yourself in for ;)
 
I have always liked Haffies - they are the Austrian native pony and really versatile. I recall spending many a summer in Austria (mother is German from Austrian borders) seeing herds of them grazing on the side of the Alps and watching them longingly :p
 
I agree with everyone, they can be bolshy and have attitude but they just need firm consistent handling - I think people just see cute barbie pony and try to treat them like toys which they are not. Super super clever, mines great will have a go at anything, loves jumping, will hack for hours and hours and has never been ill in his life. Doesn't eat hard feed (sends him round the bend) lives on fresh air, never been in more than a m/w rug. Is out naked at the moment.
Unfortunately I'm in a position where I can only keep one of my two riding sized horses and am totally unable to make up my mind between them :confused:
As long as your not a softy who's easy to walk over haffys are just great.
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Why a haffie? What's wrong with our own natives?

There was one advertised on a local FB group, being sold on 'cause it was too much for the owner.
 
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marmalade76 said:
Why a haffie? What's wrong with our own natives?

There was one advertised on a local FB group, being sold on 'cause it was too much for the owner.
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Haflingers are different to our own natives, depends what you are looking for in a horse.

Something about them for me which is very gentle and affectionate.

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Wow thanks so much to all who replied and to those who posted the lovely photos. The ponies are stunning and look like they could turn a hoof to most things:D Thanks for the suggestion re: facebook page I will look into that.

I'm not biased against any natives Marmalade just happened to hear about the Haffie and she ticked the boxes, I also have a newfie type (breeding unknown) fatty (hence bootcamp) on the yard if that helps with my street cred:D I did hear about a connie but he had EMS and hadn't been well manged poor soul and I also very much want a Highland but none to be had. Just love my chuncky natives.
 
Twinkley Lights said:
Thanks I'm not sure if current owner was planning to mention lami (hopefully she would have done) but my spies tell me that she had it and has been fine ever since. She is a tad overpriced for her age and exp so if all boxes are ticked then I would offer keen and manage the lami issue via my bootcamp for fatties a cause which I'm very dedicated to as it rules my life:D
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my haffie had lami at 6. I would never have another that had had laminitis. Mine has been a long and difficult journey that has culminated in cushings at an early age. Managing a potentially laminitic haflinger has not been easy.
 
I prefer highlands the biggest con for haffies is there are very few show classes for them and ambition sometimes takes over so I would always have something completely versatile and able to do anything hence a highland pony does everything.
My old mare is giving me a hard time at the minute popping over her fence which has just been extended to 5ft 6 she jumps it like there isnt a fence there from walk so very powerful
She has won everything from flat showing to eventing and has manners to burn I will have her daughter for sale to the right home after I have sent her away for backing but she is absolutely bombproof now nothing bothers her so for me it is a highland every time
 
marmalade76 said:
Why a haffie? What's wrong with our own natives?

There was one advertised on a local FB group, being sold on 'cause it was too much for the owner.
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Nothing at all, when I was looking I originally wanted a Highland but I was backing a youngster for the first time and they were just TOO tank like so I was worried I wouldnt cope with them if they decided to challenge me, I couldn't find a good welsh d close to where I was, connies were mega bucks and the other natives were too small for me as an adult not that slim.

and TBH I went to view native breeds as well as Liesel at breeders and she was streets and streets ahead in terms of temperament and affectionate nature, and was still with Mum who was as near to Ermyntrude the cow from the magic roundabout as a horse could be.

Showing classes are limited its true although GB reg ones have classes at Royal Windsor as HM the Queen has some Haffies as deer stalking ponies plus there is a huge breed show (again GB reg Haffies) every year and you can often enter coloured classes as well as all the performance ones like WH. Showing I found a but cliquey anyway.

So I agree with you in the sense that native breeds should always be considered but the mix of Arab and native mountain pony that has produced the Haflinger does offer something different to the UK natives I think.
 
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