My Haflinger--the owners' page

This page is to celebrate Haflinger owners and their Haflingers. Send your jpeg photo and a 50 word description about you and your Haflinger to emily@haflingerhorses.com

I purchased Saranda in 2003 for my daughter She then passed to the next daughter and I still use her myself for carting and we even went on a trail ride 2 weeks ago as I felt she needed to get out. Both of my daughters are in College but they still enjoy Saranda when they come home. She is and has been always reliable in everything we ask of her. She has proven that a Haflinger can do anything. She carts, rides both western and english, trail rides and has even proved herself at the sport of ring jousting.

Hello, you may call me ODIE, even though my real name is Alger’s Adonis. I live in the Dupont Forest area of North Carolina (think miles of trails). My “mum”, my food goddess, Olivia, and just about everyone I meet loves me totally and unconditionally. Seriously, who does not become smitten with a Haffie, especially one with such an awesome Mohawk? Will I keep my rogue mane, you vote. Mum & Olivia say, “NO!” Mum & I met in January 2011. Mum had had two other horses and was ready for a shorter, saner, safer & loving horse. (Haffie, plez!) Perhaps, it should be noted that I am nineteen and Mum is fifty-nine. Ooops. Probably should not have mentioned that age thing. Mum loves, loves, loves horses…me best of all…and wanted to keep riding as long as the horse was closer to the ground and calm. Hello, that I am! Well, sort of. We are still working with, “WHOA!” and just WALK. Hay, I had not been ridden in a year, so this is training, right? By the way, that BIG building is Olivia’s enclosed arena where Mum and I ride when the weather is terrible. Guess which pic is my fav? Right, the treat one!
Alger’s Adonis, a.k.a. ODIE Valerie Osborne Hendersonville, NC

ODIE and I have been together one year. In April 2012,Alger's Adonis will be 20. ODIE has a blog where he chronicles not only his life but what happens to his Mom & her friends. ODIE's dental visit is my favorite. He welcomes all comments, especially from the "girls". Haffie Love Rocks!!
odiethehaffiehorse.blogspot.com

I bought this 1 and a half year old Haflinger, Susie, 3 months ago and can not express how much joy she had brought too my family in all my 20 yrs of handling horses have I ever met a horse so willing to please, learn and be around her human family as well as animal family. She smiles when we are playing with her. She is so smart I would never consider putting my 5 and 9 yrs old on a 1 and half yrs old filly but I am doing it and trust her. When they say Haflingers are family horses it is the truth. She wanders my yard hours on end every day like my dogs do, loving hanging out with her human family as well as animal family. I have never had to track her down and she is so willing to learn it is incredible how smart this breed is and willing. I had a rough first month with her, actually down right dangerous due to she was with her mother up until I bought her at 1 yrs 3 months old, but I never gave up on her and she improved every day and is now right at her permanent home. I bought her for the kids, and to pull small logs out of my woods for heating my house without damaging young saplings and due to my Arabian being too much horse at his ripe age of 16 for my little ones to ride. I recommend this horse to any one what a fabulous breed. I can't say enough good about them.

This is me and my haflinger Nu Knight CSA aka Duke! I have had him for two years now and ever since we are inseparable! I got him as a gift for christmas and soon there after we started showing at all the haflinger shows! We recently started eventing in June 2011 and we both are very passionate about jumping, we both love it and we both enjoy each others company! I don't know what I would do without him! Jennifer Buckley

This is Tor! He is a 14.1hh 14 y/o Haflinger imported from Belgium and now living in Surrey, England

Haflingers truly do have the best temperament and incredible ability across all disciplines. Unfortunately, Tor has had to retire from jumping due to arthritis in both front legs (we think he was a driving pony in Belgium) but there are many more years of joy in him yet!

Bob is all personality (the young girls in my barn think that he should be entered into a ‘cutest pony contest’), and his lip never stops moving. He is really curious, fun, friendly, intelligent, sweet, willing…well – he’s everything you could want in a horse and then some! Love, love, love him, and think that he’s a wonderful ambassador of his breed! Amy Rast, Vermont

I am a senior citizen who grew up with ponies (riding and driving). Cannot imagine life without a horse or pony or two in my barn.

During my college years (4+) I raised and trained 2 half-bred Quarter horses and have owned several others. Learned a lot from my 4-H leader (who raised Quarter horses) and a lot more from the old-time horsemen I foxhunted with for 30 years. Put in lots of miles hunting and trailriding, not much going in circles in a ring.

My husband and I adopted a rescue Appaloosa colt, about 15 years ago. He (the colt) knew nothing, not even how to lead. We all survived his learning, and had a lot of good years on the trail together with my Quarter horse, until glaucoma took the App’s eyesight. He’s not calm enough to be ridden blind and I’m too old to ride alone like I did as a youngster. After a year of doing horse work and no riding, we decided it was past time for a new horse!

I’ve always planned to have a driving pony when I get too old to ride, but now I have a Haflinger I can do both, before that time arrives. All I need is some new harness (my old harness is too small) and a sturdy cart or wagon! Jean in Chester Co. Pennsylvania

Hi...I have had horses all my life, and have a beautiful appaloosa mare who I rode and drove, but she got arthritis and I retired her. I was looking around for another horse, as I was not ready to quit riding and driving even tho I was 65 at the time. Telling my farrier about all the horses I had looked at that did not begin to measure up, he said 'I know of just the horse for you." When he went on his round into WI, I rode along and ended up buying Buddy the Haflinger. She was in the barn, looking over the gate with the most appealing face, full of interest and intelligence. I took a short ride on her, and her walk is so nice and forward I decided then and there I would buy her. She was broke to ride and drive, and was eight years old. As she was spoiled, I made her name a bit longer...Miz Buddy the Diva. The people I bought her from were honest about the fact that she would buck when asked to canter, but that was not a problem to me. She was spoiled, but came around easily and is a wonderful riding and driving horse. Whoever trained her in the first place did a wonderful job in the driving part of her training. The riding part, I believe she had been allowed to gallop on the way home, something I do not allow, and that was mostly the part that I had to negotiate with her. She is highly intelligent, extremely sure footed, and has no problem keeping up with bigger horses. Her walk is exceptional. Fast and smooth, as are her other gaits. (watch that first canter step, or flying lesson is included. haha) She is a wonderful pal in my retirement, and a good friend to retired Dottie. She is so pretty, I think of her as "my little pony" like the toy ones in the stores. Dottie's saddle and bridle fit her OK, but it took me two years to find a suitable bridle and breast collar that was pretty enough for a Diva. I am now 71 and Buddy and I have too much fun on our rides and drives. She is one of the short, drafty built Haflingers with the rich, dark chestnut coloring. Nice to have a short horse when one is old. Best wishes, Kay in MN

This is Lynnellen of FCF. I’ve owned her since she was 3. She is 6 now, 15h2” and a warrior princess disguised as a Haflinger. She is very intelligent, has powerful smooth gaits and handles new experiences with ease. We’ve had a great time camping and exploring trails this summer. Kathy Lamb, Portland, Oregon

This is Linda Castaldi, Towson, Maryland and Allen PHHF (barn name, Otto von Fohlenhof and show name, Otto Be In Pictures), my 7 year old, 14.3 WONDERFUL gelding. I've owned him for almost a year and we're learning so much together. We began dressage lessons in Feb. 2009 and are schooling Intro-Training level dressage.. our first show in June- we had High Score! We also love trail riding. Otto is so intelligent, and I always have to be a step ahead of him. I love him to pieces!

This is me and my Mare Easy Going MSC “May”. I broke her to ride when I was 13. We’ve learned so much together and now have the best bond. This picture was taken two years ago in Hunter under Saddle WTC. She is my favorite horse, she’s so versatile one day I could go out and drive her and the next do dressage! I’m hooked on this breed and can’t wait to see what’s in store for me and my little copper pony!

I'm Leslie Walker in Novato, California and my loving filly, Nala, brings me so much joy. I was there with her at birth two and 1/2 years ago. Daily I'm greeted with a whinny and a full gallop to the gate. On Mother's Day I decided to hop on Nala for the first time. Lucky for me my husband was there to get the photo. Much to my surprise with a little squeeze, she walked off, turned and backed up. Hundreds of hours of ground work paid off! I'm in love!

Roberta Young and Golden Gem GRS from Derl's Choice Farm in Goochland, VA . I ride Goldie on Distance and Endurance Rides. This picture was taken on the Montebello, VA ride on 5-24-08 it was an 8 hour ride. Goldie is a blast to ride, she loves trails and is a go, go machine!

Colleen Leszczynski and 5 year old "Pumpkin" from South Bend IN. Her real name is Lacy Lilly CHL and I have had her about 2 years. She is stubborn, nosey, naughty, friendly, loving, smart, and stole my heart. Her personal goal is to be a petting zoo pony.

Cinderella came to live with Julie Congleton in North Carolina in August of 2007. She is non-papered. Was bought from a horse trader. We are told she came from the New Holland, Pennsylvania horse sale. Her name was Molly when we got her. She rides and drives, and is Insulin Resistant.

Lea Gibson of BriarCroft Haflingers in Washington with her two year old gelding Wheaton BCH aka "Tony". Tony is her best buddy since her old friend and riding partner Amos died this year and she is looking forward to many happy trails in the future with Tony once he grows up.

Hi, my name is Kenya and this is Tucker and we live in Ontario Canada, he's an 8 year old Haflinger cross. I am 10 and we have been showing for 3 years now. Only walk/trot but I can't wait cuz this coming season we will be going up a level.

This is a picture of my daughter taking my haffy Kizzy (Kyra) to our local meet, it was her first one, she was a problem horse for sale from a local yard, and we don't know what she has done for the last 5 years, since coming over from Holland, she is now enjoying life on the farm, herding the cows and sheep, at just 14.1hh she is great for getting on and off, is both steady and silly!, forever on a diet and forever being given tit bits, everyone should have a haffy, they make you smile. Justine Colton