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photo by Kelsy Smith, Nayborly Farms

What I See When I Look Into My Haflinger's Eyes...

Yesterday, a two year old Haflinger "Dandy", in for training, in the roundpen, awaiting his next task, looked at me as I was picking up my Lariet and rolling it up. We hadn't even started much of anything when he then reached down and picked up my lunge line and brought it to me and awaited for petting. His eyes fixed on me. I think I learned more from him in that moment than any other young quarter horse has ever shared in only his short week and a half here.  Tracy Kalbaugh  California

When I look into my Haflinger Majic Touch's eyes, I see what Joan of Arc must have seen in her mount's eyes before mounting up to save France: the power, the majesty, the grace and the glory all rolled into one. Ceal Pasquino-Casson

When I look in my Haflingers' eyes, I see an expectancy... feed me, touch me, love me and the return of that...love echoed threefold.  Haflingers are therapy for the soul.
Missy Martz in Western Maryland

When I look into Odgi's eyes I see pure adoration, an unconditional love and devotion towards me. It also might be the look that asks for yet another carrot ;) Steffi in Germany and Odgi in Austria

When I look into Jimmy's eyes I can clearly see his innocent, soft and gentle nature and that he's an intelligent, playful and loving friend who loves to spend his time with me. Francesco from Italy

When I look into Ginger's beautiful eyes, I see kindness, intelligence,and,  "Where is the treat I KNOW you have in your pocket?"   BK England, California

Trust, anticipation, and loyalty.  Betty Hubbard, Minnesota

When I look into Daisy's eyes I see a friendliness & gentleness that exceeds her years. She has the knowing look of a much older horse even though she's only 3.
Other people see it too because when we stop on the trail people flock to her. They aren't afraid, and Daisy knows when to turn on the charm! Amanda Anderson, Central Illinois

Well, this may sound very anthropomorphic but I can honestly swear that when I look in my Haflinger's eyes I see an awareness or understanding that even few people possess. I have been around or owned horses all my life but this boy is SO special. We just 'click' and I know, and have known from the moment I first met him, that he can tell and sense things that other horses cannot. It is almost spooky and my husband and son think I'm crazy for loving him so much.
I probably sound a little "out there", but believe me I'm not. I'm a scientist and I have to have definitive proof of just about everything before I'll believe it, but I can assure you there's more
than just a little equine brain inside that skull and behind those eyes.  Jenny A., Georgia

When I look into my Haflinger's eyes I often feel/see the question "What are you about to do?" Geri Stewart, Williams, Oregon

I see curiosity and a happy expression. I see a deep liquid soul and I see trust ... I see a horse that likes me , and has a sense of humor ... Peggy Rodgers in Eastern Wash.

I see the same thing I see in any other living animal's eyes - a pure soul and spirit of a living, breathing entity.
Besides that, I see, in my particular Haflinger's eyes, I see a sense of humor and adventure and willingness to try and to play; growing trust in me; a bit of bossiness; honesty, wonderment, and if I were to
anthropomorphize a bit more, perhaps a touch of sadness at separation from her mother and herd in Austria and separation from her own foals.
I often wonder what animals think of us and the things we do to them, for them, on behalf of them. I sometimes think that the human race would probably get a failing grade from our co-habitants on the planet.
Of course, there are also the very best people with kindness in their hearts that might help bring the grade up. Kathy Graves, Northern California

When I look into our Haflingers' eyes I see:  Unspeakable intelligence, friendliness and SOUL; all of which I am not worthy. Gail Pritchard, Glendale, OR

I loaded up my Haflinger gelding, Wallen Stutz, today and before we took off for a long trail ride, I glanced up at him as he was looking at me from inside the trailer. He was a little concerned about where we were going and what we would be doing so I stepped up so I could see his eyes and I started singing "our little song" that he likes so much and he was so comforted. He touched his nose to my lips and I really saw "true love" in his eyes today! At other times when I look into
his eyes, I always see kindness. Susie Gavigan, Wishbone Corral

When I look into Romeo's big, warm, amber eyes, I see quite a clown, who I'm sure is thinking, "What kind of trouble can I get into today, and then get away with, because I'm so darn adorable?" ~Debi in CT

First thing I notice when I look into Erick's eyes is his intelligence. He is a very smart horse - much smarter than I am! Being a softie, I also see friendship and understanding. Whenever I am down, I know I can go to him, talk to him and he will look at me with those very smart kind eyes and I feel better. Yes, he can be a 'butt-head' from time to time but his eyes show kindness so I don't get nervous or tooooo uptight when he begins to act with life in his body rather than the quiet Haflinger he should be. One thing very special about his eyes....he is honest with his feelings. You can tell what a horse (or any animal) is thinking by looking into their eyes. Sorry to say, the same is not true for humans. Carol in Snowflake AZ

When I look into Winslow's eyes I see Love, gentleness, and friendship.-Kathy Synesael Lyons New York

When I look into my Crisco's eyes I see the best friend that anyone could have. No judgment just love and sweetness and the happiness to see you and wondering what are we going to do today? You couldn't ask for much more out of life! Shannon Gilbert, Fryburg, PA

Yesterday when I looked into my Haflinger's eyes, I saw smiling eyes full of life, love, happiness and thankfulness, today, I see sadness, as today is weaning day. I look forward to the return of the smiling eyes. I suppose my eyes are different today too. Leslie Walker in Novato, California

When I look into his eyes, I see a kind and trusting soul. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body! Kelly in NE Ohio

The eyes reflect the light of the universe that is the spiritual essence of All That Is. They mirror a piece of heaven and a near "perfect" soul that manifests the breath of life. A reminder that the word animal is derived from the Latin word anima which means soul or breath of life...Darrell Charlton. Arco, Idaho

In the eyes of my newest , a seven y/o gelding , I see, "I want to get to know you, be your friend and do some fun things. I love people. Other horses are tolerable". EVERYONE at the stable he moved in to thinks he is cute and friendly. An immediate crowd pleaser! In the eyes of Lady Easter, my 3 y/o I see "I'm smarter than you, but I'll take care of you".-In the eyes of Dame Jillian, my 2 y/o I see "I'm the baby, a little unsure of myself but I love you and hope you love me"- In the eyes of all of them I see something I see in very few other horses, a unique desire to be with us, please us and live as our companions!
Carole in West Virginia

Depends on the horse.  Dude, our 7 year old gelding is as honest as the day is long. If you watch his eyes he will tell you when he's happy, hungry, sad, in pain  or angry. I love his eyes. They are so big and never lie to me.
Seven, our 5 year old. (Also a gelding) His eyes are always clear and hopeful. He longs for everything new. He loves to learn, as long as its at his pace. He is very special to me. (Chris and
he however don't get along at all. Their first real contact with each other was a fight of wills. And neither won)
Buford....well...lets just say, you better be watching his eyes. He is a court jester. Always thinking of some way to make a reaction happen from horse or man. He always has a big twinkle in his eyes. He can fake you out every time. He will hold his head up and look in the distance like there is something very important you should be paying attention to, and then very expertly step
on just the edge of your foot, and when I squeal and smack him to get off my foot. He gives me this totally innocent look.
But the look they all have is the best. Complete trust. That's the look that makes me love them all.
But I have to be very careful to take the time to see each expression. It's too easy to miss what they have to tell me if I let the world intrude in our time together. The only mistakes I have ever made with my horses, Haflinger or otherwise is when I forget to take the time and "listen" to them. Susie Gunther--Dixie, WA

When I look in his eyes what I see is his SOUL--Fabian Kesselitz in Germany

When I look in my Hafi's eyes....I see a universal "I love you, I trust you because you take care of me, how 'bout a nice scratch and cuddle, got any cookies?" 
After the scratch and cookies...then I see "OK, let's go have some FUN!" Jan Maday in Purcellville, VA :o) 
When I look into my Haflinger's eyes I see a wise creature. In his soft, brown eyes I see kindness and gentleness and yet great courage when courage is needed. I see honesty and integrity and hope for the 
future in those noble eyes. I see no signs of grudges or resentments, no jealousies or selfish ambitions in his eyes. In those eyes designed to see both near and far, I see no interest in my gender or 
looks or age or clothes or IQ or possessions; I see depth of character. In my Haflinger's eyes I see, as he brings his soft muzzle forward for a gentle caress from me, that he, too, remembers all our 
fun times together; I see the love of a true friend in my Haflinger's eyes. Judy in TN 
My 17 yo mare Molly has gorgeous eyes and when I look into hers she is saying: "I want to put my head on your shoulder so you can scratch my ears"
I love my Molly and so does my 6 yo daughter. Debbie and Leah in VT
I have 18 month old yearling fillies... and when I look into timid Leah's eyes I see "I trust you now ...you won't let any harm come to me" and when I
look into rascal Lilly's eyes I see "Wait til you see what I'm gonna do next!" I love my fillies with all my heart! ~Marcia in MA

I see love in Haflinger eyes. Love for trails, love for hugs, love for the
children climbing all round them, love for that warm sunny spot on a winter's
day, love for the person attached to the hand that is holding the yummy treat.

Buddy was recently sold to a warm and lovely family in New England. The lady who bought him, when she first saw Buddy, turned to me, melting, and said "Oh, those eyes. . .those incredible eyes." I later got an email from telling
me how she felt as though she could just lose herself in his eyes. And I knew that Buddy found his true home. Rina Chios-Maryland
Major's Eyes
I arrive early in the morning and the eyes are welcoming. They speak of joy at the arrival of another day; they say `all is right with the world because you're here when you're supposed to be.' They're old
eyes in a beautiful young head, eyes with the wisdom of thousands of years of his ancestors embedded in their liquid brown depths. The eyes are happy to see me and of course I am associated with food, but this horse is fed by an automatic feeder at 7:45 AM whether I'm there or not and he knows that. So it's not just anticipation of food that's mirrored in those eyes. It's comradeship, it's pleasure at welcoming
me back to our little herd after my long nightly absence, and it's a silent affirmation that all is right with the world. I clean stalls, fill water buckets and hay racks and bustle around with all the usual chores. He watches with friendly interest, secure in the daily routine. I pause and lean my pitchfork against the wall and give him a hug around the neck, straighten out the long forelock and scratch his ears. The eyes acknowledge the simple pleasure of contact between us and he gives a friendly nuzzle before returning to his hay.
I finish my chores and pull up a chair to sit outside his stall for a minute. The eyes watch me carefully for clues. There will be a nickered question: "What are we going to do today?" If I take too long or perhaps start chatting with one of my neighbors at the barn, the nicker will turn into a shrill whinny and the eyes will take on an anxious expression: "We ARE going to do something today, aren't we?"
I pull the carriage out of its shed and start taking the harness out to the hitch rail. The eyes watch for more clues: "Are you taking me or that pesky little brother of mine? Or both of us?" He returns to his hay until he hears the familiar rattle of his corral gate. "Ah, good. We're going out alone together." He hustles out to the gate and sticks his head in the halter. The eyes are bright and thinking about adventures to come. I harness and hitch and the blinkered eyes turn and watch me expectantly as I fasten my helmet and put on my gloves: "You did bring a peppermint with you, didn't you?" Yes, here's your peppermint and thanks for standing quietly for hitching in spite of a tractor pulling a manure spreader down the road right behind you while a group of jets takes off overhead... The calm eyes return the thanks while he accepts his peppermint. I climb in the carriage and off we go. We go here and there, sometimes over familiar territory, sometimes over less-traveled routes and always the eyes are on alert, always watchful and even wary at times because they bear the awesome responsibility of guiding us out and back safely. This is not a responsibility that Major takes lightly. He looks after himself and in the process he looks after me too. Eventually we return to the barn and the eyes tell me in no uncertain terms that he wants that hot, itchy bridle off his sweaty head as soon as possible. I accommodate him after I get him safely unhitched. I bring the hose over to him and the eyes light up eagerly: "Yes, I'm thirsty and I'll drink right out of that hose!" I cool him out and return him to his stall. The eyes watch me closely. "I do get an apple for my good work, don't I?" Yes, you get two big, juicy red apples and here they are in your feed box. He crunches them blissfully while I go back to my chair outside his stall. The eyes watch me settle into the chair with a cold drink in my hand: "I did well, didn't I?" Yes, you did beautifully and I thank you for sharing another morning with me. He turns his attention to his hay again. Another day slides by and I'm
grateful to have spent it in the company of this remarkable horse. I marvel again at those expressive eyes. They create the bridge that spans the gulf between human and horse and allows us to silently understand each other. Karen Harper --Florida

I see a very sweet, kind fellow always on the lookout for something to eat, and always hopeful he will find it! Jan in CA

Looking into Cookie's eyes, I see *wheels turning*. Cookie is a thinker, very intelligent and very sensitive. She's always thinking and always ready to go at a second's notice. She's wide open. Always
in gear with her soul bared. And I see mischief. She looks like she's looking for the next thing to get into. Wendy in Pennsylvania

When I look into Tassletop's eyes I see a very young soul and my best friend. ( Now that Sonny is gone! )
When I look into Alex's eyes.........hmmmmm! Well.....( Here sheepishly grinning and scratching my head! ) well, I'm not really sure because......I CAN'T SEE HIS EYES! Its all covered in foretop! I have to read his expression from his ears! He has a very Sonny-like personality. He's an Amishman in horse form! He could care less about all the bathing and braiding I did to him last summer. And the riding in fancy costumes he has no opinion on whatsoever. But our weird events certainly keep him entertained. I guess I see a trusted friend that can definitely be relied upon whatever crazy thing we do with him, we know he's not going to freak out. And he's too serious to plot getting into trouble like Tassletop, his brother. If we need a horse to depend on for anything, he's there. Just keep the hot beet pulp and ginger snaps coming!  Kathleen



 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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