Friends

Old Friends

by Jodie Hemmy, Indiana

Today I had the opportunity to witness first hand, the other kind of
haflinger friends- the haflinger kind. =) Clear as mud? Let me tell you about it.

Pedra's new mommy made the wise decision to send her back to the trainer for
another 30 days under saddle before having her brought home. So Pedra is
currently about 30 miles from us at a riding stable. Jason & I have come to
really like these people and they've done a nice job with Pedra. Several weeks
ago, one of the owners agreed to let me bring my mare Pamela up for single
training sessions (rather than the full 30 days). So today, we headed out for a
riding lesson for my daughter and a little work with Pamela.

Pamela came off the trailer beautifully and while interested in her
surroundings, she was very calm and quiet at my side. While my daughter had her
lesson, I tied Pam and spent some time preparing her to be ridden (brushing & picking out feet).
She was quiet and just stood looking around at all the horses.
What Pam didn't know is that her 1/2 sister and good friend, Pedra was in the
first stall just inside the barn door about 20 feet away. Pam & Pedra were
raised together and used as a team in their younger days. I worried initially
about how they would fair if separated but they've both shown no signs of
depression and have gone about their days just like normal.

Well, Pam watched the other horses off to her left for a while and then
decided to greet them with a little whinny. =) You know what's coming now don't
you? Pam whinnys off to the horses to her left and to her great surprise, gets
a very loud, animated greeting from a horse off to her right- Pedra. Pam
immediately snapped her head back to the right and the two carried on a
conversation for several minutes. Everyone within earshot heard the conversation and
laughed and smiled at these two old friends chatting. I had a mix of emotions
while witnessing the exchange of whinnies. Sadness over knowing very soon
they will be 100's of miles apart. Amazement at their obvious ability to know
each other only by voice (they never saw each other). Amusement at the
"conversation" they had. Kind of bittersweet really.

Soon the conversation quieted and it came time for Pam to be saddled & ridden.
She was very willing and did really well (although getting her to canter
took a while- but that's for another funny story). I was extremely encouraged.
When Pam was done with her lesson for the day I walked her quietly to cool
her out and let her free in the round pen to roll and cool out a bit more
before putting her in the trailer to go home. Pam & Pedra didn't exchange anymore
conversation. Apparently they said all they needed to say already. Prior to
today, I'd never considered the other kind of haflinger friends. It's a very
sweet & heart-warming thing to observe.

Jodie H.
-Indiana