My first horse ... Cat (Jessie) I got one

[moka]

Well, I went to Kentucky yesterday to look at a horse. The horse of my childhood - a haflinger (the QH of Austria, Switzerland and Germany).
And I almost got to meet the first forum member, but we were late to look at the horses and I didn't want to keep Jessie from her lunch brake. Sorry Jessie I was so disappointed. We stayed at his place for quite a while. Some of the horses got out and he had to go get them. I took me quite a while to chose one. I was kind of set to get a two or three year old but guess what, ended up was a four year old.
He will be hauled next week. Hopefully the hauler will be o.k. George actually was able to put a halter on him. First time he was touched.
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=421&pictureid=4612
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=421&pictureid=4613

[Gypsy Rose]

Congrats! Looks like a real cutie! The more I see of these Haffies, the more I want one, lol!

[Flair]

Congrats! Looks like a real cutie! The more I see of these Haffies, the more I want one, lol!

I'll keep Mitch in a secret undisclosed location then. ;)

Moka... that's a real cute Haflinger. What's his breeding?

[oursarge]

What a cutie! Look at all that hair!

I love Haflingers. The stable has been getting quite a few in for training and they are just so much fun, they are always happy. My guy has Haflinger in him and he's got such a funny sense of humor. He can be a real brat at times but you can't stay mad at him because he's such a clown.

Good luck with your new baby!

[jeezitsjacki]

ohh he is so cute!! congratulations

[sugarsgirl]

Congrats! Hes so cute! :)

[Cat]

OMG - you got THAT one!!! He is such a cutie, isn't he? I probably spent an hour debating between the boy you chose and my Willie (and I also originally went for a 2 or 3 year old. LOL.) BTW - that boy was touched once before. He let me touch him on the nose. :p Hehe... I'm very happy he is staying within the forum family. My understanding is him and Willie have different dams but the same sire.

I probably could have met you if it wasn't for a meeting I had in the afternoon. Blah. Rarely do I have afternoon meetings on Friday (I try to avoid them) but I couldn't get out of that one. Go figure. It was very dissapointing to know a forum member was so close yet we couldn't meet each other. Might have to take a road trip in the future though. :D

[Gliderider]

Congrats...He is a cutie..

[moka]

OMG - you got THAT one!!! He is such a cutie, isn't he? I probably spent an hour debating between the boy you chose and my Willie (and I also originally went for a 2 or 3 year old. LOL.) BTW - that boy was touched once before. He let me touch him on the nose. :p Hehe... I'm very happy he is staying within the forum family. My understanding is him and Willie have different dams but the same sire.

:D

Thank you everybody.
I am pleased that it was you who touched him first. :) Before we left I told him that I had planned to meet you, I said, you know the one with the pulling Haflinger. And he smirked and said that you were looking at the same guy for quite a while. But then he wasn't quite sure if it was your Husband or you who eventually made the decision for Willy. Well, I am very exited and cannot wait for him to come home.

[Cat]

I eventually made the decision because hubby left the choice up to me. However, Willie seemed a little taller so I chose him so hubby would be a little more comfortable on him if he ever decided to ride him. I was very excited to open this thread up and see that boy's photos up as the one you picked. I was thrilled.

Do you have any ideas for names yet?

Maybe after we get the boys trained we will have to meet somewhere and go riding. Maybe some horse camping?

[vicklynn]

Oh how cute! Very cool that you and Cat have the same tastes, both boys run from the same sire.

[JetLagaside]

Congrats what a cutie!

[WashingtonBay]

Well isn't he the cutest thing! What is this place that breeds haffies and doesn't handle them at all?

[HaveFaith]

Congradulations on your 1st

[JackieB]

OMG! Congratulations! This is your first horse ever, Moka?! That's fantastic. And he's so beautiful. Gotta love halflingers. We need lots more pictures and every detail when he gets home. :)

[lovesfortune]

He's a cutie for sure. More info on the place, as I'm curious like WB.

[Blue]

Aw, congrats! I LOVE that mane! He reminds me of half_passing_haffie's Niko!

[Cat]

Well isn't he the cutest thing! What is this place that breeds haffies and doesn't handle them at all?

He is an older gentleman that was severly injured in an accident (they almost had to remove his leg) and that has prevented him for working with the horses properly since - he used to drive them which is how he got into the haffies and belgians. He is cutting back and already had most of his mares sold when I was there. I believe he is keeping the 2 haffie mares that are trained to drive and one belgian mare that is 35 years old.

[lovesfortune]

So he hasn't been able to handle any of these guys? Are they up to date on shots, farrier, etc? Or have they NEVER been handled at all?

Not critizing... just really curious. That's too bad that he had such a horrible injury that he had to get rid of most of them.

[Cat]

He does have a cattle chute set up that can also be used as a stock to hold them for any work that is needed on them. That is how he loaded Willie up for me.

[valleyrider]

Best of luck with your new Haffie,, he sure is a cutie!

[moka]

I am sorry but we lost electricity early evening till this morning.
However, Jessie answered most of the questions regarding the place where the horses are at. He said that all the fillies were spoken for. He has about seven or eight more of the colts left. He will also keep the sir of Jessie's and my horse. He said he would never part with him. I have seen worse I have seen better but they are all "cared" for.
Jackie, I am sorry the title is a little misleading. He is not my first horse but my father had haflingers - the horses of my childhood.
Haflingers are usually very people oriented horses. The swiss army used them as pack animals to lug goods/ammunition etc. over the mountains. They are known to be level headed, surefooted and for having good "endurance". They were also used as farm horses.
Yes, Jessie, I hope we can get together one time in the future.
I do not have a name yet. Which is surprising. It was a long

[Annasmom]

wow! he is gorgeous what do you plan to do with him?

[moka]

Sorry, lost electricity again.
I wanted to say that it was a long drive and my friend was just throwing names out there for almost 8 hours straight. Till she gave up telling me that I am too picky.
Anna, I never trained a horse to pull and that is one thing on my agenda. But first I will back him and I do mainly trail rides. He also has to keep Nefous company, once my friends horse leaves.
Now I just wait and pray for a smooth loading and transport. :(

[PoniesRock101]

aww congrats! cant wait till he finally arrives! make sure to take pics! lol

[FoxFireEMT]

Beautiful & good luck!!

[Cat]

Moka, I wouldn't worry too much about the loading and transport. It went much better with Willie than I thought it would - and we loaded him into a small 2 horse trailer, which is usually the hardest type to get them in for the first time. He used the chute and once the horse was in the chute, we backed the trailer right up to it. Then he was very patient with the horse and got him in the trailer with the horse staying calm. He did use a little hay and corn as bribery. :) But once in, it took him a couple minutes to get "sea legs" but then that good haflinger sense took over and Willie was calm for the whole ride, happily munching on hay and watching the traffic go by.

I just did his 2nd worming today - this was our fall tapeworming for the whole herd. Willie was great. :) Now if all of this rain and mud would stop sometime soon, I could work with more of his ground training.