horse owners?

[bug_n_flock]

Any horse owners here? We have a mini donkey and have been discussing getting a horse. Currently eyeing a well trained 10 year old hafliger/quarter horse 13.3 hh gelding cross.

 

[Laurasea]

I grew up next to a horse breeder, had 4 of my own, and got a degree in equestrian, managed a stable, and worked in equine therapy for the disabled. Lord have mercy it was a long time ago, so much is forgotten. What do you want to know? Besides i miss horses a bunch! Lol

 

[SailBoat]

Once, long ago! Unless you can ride the horse today and will ride it regularly, they are total expense, tons of work and busy repairing /replacing what they eat /takedown. Our's required three times a year care of its shoes (barrow turner), plus vet care. Regarding the Vet, ask to see its Vet's Medical Folder and assure that it is up to date!!!

If you ride them and enjoy the year around grooming, they're great.

FYI: They seem to produce more poo than the food you give them. Best way to keep up with the poo is a bobcat!

 

[Laurasea]

Well I ,
We had ours on ten acres, built our own lean-to shelter, grew our own corn, bought our own deworming and vaccines ( don't know if you still can) kept ours barefoot for the most part, unless we planned riding on roads or hard surfaces, so we did our own minor foot work ourselves, had a farrier when needed, floated the teeth on our own. They got hay, out corn, sweetfeed, in winter, extra feed if doing hard trail riding during warmer weather otherwise just a little hay and the pasture. We did have to take the tractor and dusc the feilds to spread the manure, or remove some. We didn't have distruction, maybe because we didn't keep them stalled.

Appaloosa were our easy keepers, my Arabian more work, had delicate thin skin, more sensitive to bugs, needed more support in winter. Appaloosa ( not mixed with a ton of quarter horse) and mustang really are the most hardy. Some breeds are more tendar fiited and thinner skinned.

My neighbors bred American Saddlebred and they are my favorite to ride and temperament, but not the inbred hyped up show horses! They were prone to more hoof issues and lameness than my Apps.

My Apps had more endurance by 10×, somewhat onery , can and did kill some stray dogs ( but fine with ours) healthy sturdy, easier keepers. I think they might appeal to your lifestyle choices. My mare Outlaw was a white leopard, never sick a day in her life hooves of iron, if you are a jerk shed knock you off ,if you were a babe she would walk like a kitten, try to keep you on her back and if the kid fell off she be careful to stop and not step on them. Regular people she stepped on any time you were standing by her and not paying attention. She was a heck of a horse!

PS. Fat rummped quarter horses, never met or rode one I liked. The old school type like the roping ones not so bad, I got to ride and old-school type crossed with thoroughbred in a show once, who was pure magic! At the end of the show they hav a balloon race, you have balloon taped to you back, and you have a dart to pop everyone else's balloon. It's dark by then so they have the lights on, an obstacle course and a hundred people on horseback malee! The owner let me ride him in that. We flew! We read each other's minds, we are like silk flowing through lumbering oxen! It came down to me and a cowboy. We put on such a show, the crowd was wild! Then he let me win, I was so mad! But I was 16, the crowd was on my side, my mom said he had to let me win, or be eaten alive!
Thank you for stirring up old memories and letting me share ( if you read this far bless you!)

 

[bug_n_flock]

What a wonderful memory!


This is the pony in question. Input would be appreciated greatly! My cousins had horses growing up, and I took lessons at a local stable, and we have had Butters(mini donkey) for around a year. Buuuut that is about the limit of my horse experience. And hubbs just has experience with Butters and rent-a-horse's at boy scout camps and such.



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBS-AYfiS70"]www.handrhorses.com HAFLINGER QUARTER HORSE CROSSBRED GELDING, RIDES & DRIVES, GENTLE - YouTube[/ame]


https://lexington.craigslist.org/grd/d/flemingsburg-haflinger-quarter-horse/7074317476.html

 

[riddick07]

I have a quarter horse (zippo pine bar, zips chocolate chip, two eyed jack lineage). He was bred to be the next western champion but sucked at it so much. He was a very nice $50k hunter/jumper in the end but hasn’t done any work for many many years now. Hunter people were very unhappy this brick, tank like horse was beating their floaty throughbeds & Warmbloods back when we showed lol

Honestly little horses aren’t my thing. If they aren’t at least 16 hands are they really a horse??

Make sure they aren’t drugging the horse before you ride. We stayed 3 days in Tennessee and dropped by randomly to see how Chip was to make sure he wasn’t being drugged up before we saw him. A girl at the barn had this happen just recently to her. She bought the horse for 10k and it was the sweetest thing during the visit but once she got it home it was not a fully trained horse. She eventually returned her without a refund....10k plus board & such right down the drain. Xrays of the legs/feet wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Do stuff with him and try to see if he spooks easily. If you are looking for a trail riding horse you want to be able to go dancing along with a tarp as a cape and leap on his back with it flapping in the breeze while clapping cooking pots with dogs barking/twining around the feet without even a twitch...maybe just a side eye wondering what you’ve been drinking that day lol

I recently transferred my horse onto a low starch/sugar foraging type diet to see how it improved his feet. I’m already seeing way different growth & he only ate a lb of grain a day at most before I switched him plus his 20lbs of hay a day of course. I’ve went through almost 20 years of various farriers who are crap. I’d recommend you educate yourself on hoof anatomy & nutrition and what to look for on your own instead of relying on farriers & vets. They don’t know nearly as much or don’t have the time to give a flying ***k (just the money matters) as you want them to....just my own opinion after years of dealing with useless farriers & vets. And we had some of the ‘best’ too, so yeah.

This is my favorite basic hoof anatomy book. I read it all the way through in 3 days haha. Lots of useful info on feet. I got the hardback so I could flip through and use my iPad to play with hoof pictures while reading the book.
https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Ho...ords=horse+hoof+anatomy&qid=1581737103&sr=8-2

 

[Laurasea]

But horses can be dangerous. I've been bitten a bunch, kicked, stomped on, had a hirsecrear up and flip over on me, I was barebacked that probably saved me, had a horse drop and roll over me, been bucked off, fallen off on my own too.

My last horse was a hot headed Arab, who had been abused , hated men. Hated a saddle. He was a stunning silver. The horse trader heard of me, and that I rode barebacked. I had him a few months, tried different saddles, hevwas so tense and flighty it was hard to ride barebacked on him. I was out in the pasture working him at 6 am, at 6 pm my dad finally came looking for me. When he found me I was still on the horse but I was having a siezure. My dad watched the horse walk so careful, but he had never been near him before. He really hated men, as in attack on sight. But my horse did let my dad come and get him and lead him the half mile back home. I was paralyzed on one side, not making sense, and kept seizing. Rushed off to the hospital brain damaged, expected to live. I was not expected to recover brain function past that of a young child, I couldn't read or write and had amnesia. No one knows what happened, it is believed he either tossed his head and hit me, or threw me and I got back on before my brain swelled. I did recover , but I'm sure I lost a lot of smarts.. My mom forced me to sell him and my other horse, even though he was clearly taking care of me in that condition.
So yeah ..

 

[Laurasea]

I agree I don't like them that little. I watched the video, and I would pass. I can't out my finger on it, short neck, maybe off on left front. Watched again, think he stumble a couple of times, yes the ground is rough, and still looks off on left front. And terrible confirmation. But does look willing and friendly. But my free advice is nope.

 

[riddick07]

Yikes that’s crazy! I got lucky from my one blackout fall. I got drilled into the ground and can’t remember the event or getting back on the horse. I remember the last jump and then sitting on a trunk of a car. Literally can’t remember the fall, people coming to get me off the ground, waking up, getting back on the horse, then getting back off. It’s just one big blank in my mind. Besides that I’ve had a horse stomp on me after falling off, one rolling while I was on, thrown into a jump, kicked in the chest & the butt, stomped on the foot, conked on the head by their head & a few others I’m sure I don’t remember. They are definitely a dangerous animal to have even when you are being careful.

 

[riddick07]

I agree I don't like them that little. I watched the video, and I would pass. I can't out my finger on it, short neck, maybe off on left front.

Yes. He’s moving a little weird/short like. And his feet seem small for how solidly he is built. Probably the quarter horse breeding coming through. And his front right seems too upright to me like he might have a slight club foot but could be the picture.

The palomino mare seems like the Best Buy after a real quick look at their site. She looks fairly well put together and bigger feet plus not too heavily built. They aren’t letting her run lines in her video though so it’s hard to really tell how she’s moving at all.

 

[Laurasea]

I didn't see the Palomino's.
Yes I think he wings out on the right front, and puts more weight on the right to take the weight off the left. It's subtle, he's not outright lame. But it looks like the rider knows he has an issue , and covers for it.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Thanks for the input! Are you sure he looks a little off in the front end? I thought he looked like he wanted to run and/or was having a bit of issues with the mud.



Part of the reason we are interested in him is his small stature, sturdy build, and the fact that he drives and has pulled farm equipment. We would use him to get around the property more quietly than an atv(trespassers have been more of an issue lately), and use him to pull stuff too heavy for Butters to manage(also plow). But given the choice, we would prefer a small horse as long as it is large enough to carry us. I am about 5' tall, and my husband isn't too much taller than I am(but weighs about as much as a wet leaf). We want an animal who wouldn't mind taking us for a ride, but I think we would be using him to pull more than to ride. Also, a mare might make Butters more difficult to work with: he is intact.

 

[Laurasea]

Drafts are usually great temperament, and great for pulling. There are many smaller type drafts and crosses.

This guy is put together ugly. There are plunty of ugly horses but it still works. Something about him doesn't seem to work.

That big body puts a lot of weight and problems on those little feet. ( note below, large hoves to support that large body) He doesn't look sturdy to me. That neck is freak short.. He shouldn't have stumbled that much, rough ground or not.
Edit: I see halflinger have shorter type necks, but all the pictures of them and crosses I looked at just work better.

Smaller horses aren't better horses. Ponies are the meanest things!!!

I'm usually a cheerleader for causes. But I strongly feel you need to pass on him and keep looking for another gelding. Mares are kinda known to be temperamental I agree lol

Standards of the Haflinger Horse
Haflinger Horses in Harness
Haflinger Horses in Harness
If you are interested in looking for the ideal Haflinger, the breed standard may help you to understand what to look for in the horse. Most Haflingers range from 13 hands (52 inches) to 15 hands (59 inches) in height and weigh 800 to 1300 pounds. To describe their frame, most Haflingers have a strong arched neck, a broad head that is flat or slightly dished shaped, a broad chest and rump, strong tapered legs and large hooves. They can vary in chestnut color ranging from light blonde to dark chocolate. Some Haflingers may also have dappling or light spots on their coats. Their manes and tails can be very full and range in shades of white to flaxen. Breeding stallions should have masculine features and brood mares should have feminine lines and features.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Hmm, I'm hearing some legitimate concerns with him. The short neck tho I find adorable. Lol I think we have different tastes on horse appearances... I honestly find him adorable!


Do you have any suggestions for where to look for a horse that would fit our needs? We are open to larger horses, but prefer smaller types. Ideally something stocky, sturdy, hardy, low maintenance, and willing. We are in the mountains here, so something that can handle steeper terrain is ideal. Nothing high maintenance and delicate. And ideally something we could get locally, and on the sooner side. I've been looking on craigslist, but have no idea where to look besides there. Craigslist can be good or bad for most things. We got Butters from Craigslist and he is a dream, but we have also had some very bad experiences with craigslist animals(like dogs!).

 

[Laurasea]

I'm trying to educate myself on this halflinger body type. Honestly never seen them before. They as a breed for have short necks! Looks at a bunch of pics makes me like him better. But you need to look at a bunch of horses in person to get an idea, watch for head Bobb that indicates foot issues. Watch for stumbles, have them turn the horse atva trot in front of you in different directions. Watch when they stand. A horse will test different feet, but if they constantly take weight off the same foot, there is an issue. Most horses will stand on all four feet without having to rest a foot, for several minutes. When they relax and have to stand for awhile they will rest a foot. Check hoobly. Go to a feed store and ask around.
I'm feelings more kind hearted to him, but still think he has an issue with left front, he tested it at every stop.
You can also run your hands down each leg and foot and feel for warmth, a site foot or leg will be warmer ( most of the time)

 

[Laurasea]

You should have Appaloosas in your area very sturdy horse, I don't know about Pulling.
https://www.equinenow.com/location/appalachia-virginia.htm

 

[riddick07]

Haflingers are built with short necks but they flex quite a bit and fit much better into the overall structure of the front of the horse. This ones neck is just off with little flex and he has no real chest area & the neck doesn’t met the right points honestly. It’s throwing his balance off which is probably causing too much weight/stiff movement on the front which is throwing his feet development off. Probably part of why he looks a bit club foot to me. Honestly quarter horses and haflingers are breed for totally different things so throwing them together was not the best breeding plan lol. Plus, this animal definitely got the tiny quarter horse feet. Tiny feet always have issues in some way since they aren’t built for the weight they carry....this is stupid human influence on the breeding for the tiny feet because everyone thought they looked pretty or caused faster times in racing.

If you want a work horse you want solid big feet that can take their weight and the work you’ll put on them. Look into Fjord horses they are one the cutest versatile little mountain draft horses. I love Gypsies too but they won’t be quite as versatile & they can cost a pretty penny.

 

[wrench13]

Yeah, I rode for 2 years as lead wrangler at a dude ranch, 6 days a week, 7 hours a day in the saddle. My fav mount was a little moon blind in 1 eye mare, who steered like a sports car. Plus I owned my own bay gelding, whoI rode intoNew Paltz, NY every Sunday( college town). 'Boats is right tho, if you don't ride them at least 1x a week, why keep one?

 

[Laurasea]

This one seems ok, I worry down on right hind hock.. but seems to move nice
https://www.equinenow.com/horse-ad-1309725

 

[wrench13]

Yeah, I rode for 2 years as lead wrangler at a dude ranch, 6 days a week, 7 hours a day in the saddle. My fav mount was a little moon blind in 1 eye mare, who steered like a sports car. Plus I owned my own bay gelding, whoI rode intoNew Paltz, NY every Sunday( college town). 'Boats is right tho, if you don't ride them at least 1x a week, why keep one?