Haflingers - why is there no interest?

[Countrywood]

Good above post.

Be aware that over all, the horse market stinks. Horses that sold easily even a few years ago can take a long time to sell now. Owners are free leasing out nice horses and giving away just to get out from under the bills. So 2 calls a month from serious buyers is not that strange. Add in limited interest in the breed/size, it’s actually a good response.

I agree trail riding through fields and out in open as much as possible will help sell her. Whether Pony club / eventing or low level dressage, being able to hack out and trail ride, preferably alone as well as in a group, is going to be the deal breaker or maker for many buyers. Almost any causal or low level competition rider wants to be able to do that with their horse.

[kcmel]

I would love a Haflinger, if I could find one tall and chunky enough for my 5’8" self! I see them from time to time, but never when I am in the market (which I’m not right now).

[Muggle_Mom]

Are there mounted games teams in your area? She seems perfectly suited for an adult to compete in mounted games:
http://www.mountedgames.org/

[DreamBignRide]

I’d redo your video. The rider isn’t a bad rider but doesn’t show this pony off. Get a rider that compliments the haffie and do exercises that show her off best. Right now she has a suuuuper cute jump however, to an untrained eye she mostly looks rushed, unbalanced and not kid friendly. Don’t worry about the video being from a show. If the pony looks best when trotting into a cross rail, cantering out to a vertical, than do that! It will create a better pace and make things look much cleaner.

[findeight]

Actually to a trained eye she looks rushed, unbalanced and not kid friendly.

Take those vids down and reshoot to show what it’s good at. Smaller rider too.

[TSWJB]

Yes to me she looks very stiff. She does look like a cute jumper but like she is completely not supple which is uncomfortable and will make the rider look very beginner like. She may not be able to get supple due to her build or maybe she can with work. I would do dressage with her to help improve her fence work

[JenEM]

[QUOTE=TSWJB;7644915]
Yes to me she looks very stiff. She does look like a cute jumper but like she is completely not supple which is uncomfortable and will make the rider look very beginner like. She may not be able to get supple due to her build or maybe she can with work. I would do dressage with her to help improve her fence work[/QUOTE]

We’ve got a Haffie in my barn who is adorable and perfect for his small adult owner, who is eventing him. But it has taken a lot of work with a very excellent dressage trainer to get him supple and using his neck for good and not evil

I think they’re adorable ponies and make good horses for the right person. But I would not go look at one as a hunter or jumper. As an event pony for a small adult or a bigger kid? Absolutely. You’re much better off going in that route, and goodness knows, if you’re showing at Fox Chase, there are plenty of those type buyers in the area. Get a few dressage lessons and an XC school or two and see how she takes to it; if you can get video of that, I bet you’d generate some interest on that front.

[DreamBignRide]

[QUOTE=findeight;7644896]
Actually to a trained eye she looks rushed, unbalanced and not kid friendly.

Take those vids down and reshoot to show what it’s good at. Smaller rider too.[/QUOTE]

Well obviously. My comment was to come off that a trained eye has the ability to see potential behind that… aka her cute form over fences which could be clouded by someone who only sees the overall package.

[jse]

[QUOTE=JenEM;7645018]
We’ve got a Haffie in my barn who is adorable and perfect for his small adult owner, who is eventing him. But it has taken a lot of work with a very excellent dressage trainer to get him supple and using his neck for good and not evil

I think they’re adorable ponies and make good horses for the right person. But I would not go look at one as a hunter or jumper. As an event pony for a small adult or a bigger kid? Absolutely. You’re much better off going in that route, and goodness knows, if you’re showing at Fox Chase, there are plenty of those type buyers in the area. Get a few dressage lessons and an XC school or two and see how she takes to it; if you can get video of that, I bet you’d generate some interest on that front.[/QUOTE]

Boy do I know what you mean about using their neck for good and not evil - you hit the nail on the head with that one! haha If you’re the type of rider that gets intimidated easily - never ride a haffie! They will get your number really quick with that strong neck!
So I can take away from this thread that I should probably DEFINITELY make a new video - with a smaller rider and probably gear her more towards eventing and maybe fox hunting instead of a jumper?
Advertising is really not my strong suit so I really really appreciate ALL of the advice given here. I just found it odd that even with my weak skills in advertising that in the past I have at least gotten inquiries within hours of posting something and have only had 2 inquiries on this (and I’ve posted on the Haflinger’s for sale page on FB!)and I’ve had her advertised for a while now!
All very helpful stuff here - thank you so much!!!

[Dressage_Diva333]

Is she good at anything else? I just sold a 14yo Haflinger immediately after listing, to the first person who tried him… and I had people busting down my door to try him. In the video, the pony doesn’t look beginner friendly. The one I sold (although a VERY high quality Haflinger), was beginner friendly, and jumped as a bonus… but his main selling point is that he was beginner friendly, yet could turn it on for a more advanced rider. I didn’t market him as a jumper, even though he’s really awesome and super honest to fences

[RockstarPony]

Have you posted her ad on any Pony Club sites? She looks like she’d be happy to charge around cross country, I bet you could find a smaller teenager that would have a ton of fun with her! I would get her to a few lessons with a dressage trainer to work on her stiffness, and take her XC schooling and get video of how brave and ready to go she is - galloping around, going through the water, dealing with some spooky stuff. Spread the word to friends from other barns that you have a pony for sale who needs a specific kind of rider, in case they know anyone that fits that description. I personally love the feisty pony mares & I think you’ll find someone who’s looking for just that, but it’s a pretty specific market and it’s going to take some effort from you to find the right person for her.

[Countrywood]

probably gear her more towards eventing and maybe fox hunting instead of a jumper?

Both of the above are too specific and most people doing the above want a bigger horse and in fox hunting a horse with big stride that can keep up. Read the many posts of advice, they all point to an all rounder use with able to hack out and trail ride or at least school able in dressage as a prospect. If you don’t listen to people, then what was the point of the thread?

[meupatdoes]

[QUOTE=Countrywood;7645684]
probably gear her more towards eventing and maybe fox hunting instead of a jumper?

Both of the above are too specific and most people doing the above want a bigger horse and in fox hunting a horse with big stride that can keep up. Read the many posts of advice, they all point to an all rounder use with able to hack out and trail ride or at least school able in dressage as a prospect. If you don’t listen to people, then what was the point of the thread?[/QUOTE]

It needs to be better BROKE. It is nowhere near ready to specialize in anything, even if it were a specialist type, which it is not.
Like, the ability to demonstrate a circle/corner with it bent the shape of the circle/corner instead of opposite to it is step one. That is a foundation of any type of riding. The horse is no where near ready to be marketable to a specific niche.

[jse]

[QUOTE=Countrywood;7645684]
probably gear her more towards eventing and maybe fox hunting instead of a jumper?

Both of the above are too specific and most people doing the above want a bigger horse and in fox hunting a horse with big stride that can keep up. Read the many posts of advice, they all point to an all rounder use with able to hack out and trail ride or at least school able in dressage as a prospect. If you don’t listen to people, then what was the point of the thread?[/QUOTE]

I have said I’m extremely appreciative of the advice that has been given here and I am totally listening!
Maybe I’m wrong in my takeaway but I’m pretty sure a few people here have suggested getting footage of her doing cross country/eventing. You personally suggested trail riding, took that into consideration as well as she would be great for that as she does indeed go out with or without company.
I’m not looking to make a ton of $$ off of the mare - she is priced pretty low. I came here because I have just never experienced such low interest in something and I personally find her to be a very cute little girl with a lot of talent. Have I brought those good things out in her with my advertising? Clearly, no. Do I intend to? Yes! Thanks to some pretty good advice here. I have been told by people close to me that it’s the breed and so that’s why I brought it here for opinions.
She is fully capable of a good ride - she has indeed done quite a bit of eventing in her past. Just need the right rider on her to showcase that about her.
I have plenty of options from what I’m gathering here and I’m grateful, for sure! Just really want to see this little girl go to a good home where she has a job she is happy with.

[AirForceWife]

Just have to say your halfie is quite cute! I have one about the same as far as rideability goes and can say that the beginners that have ridden her had a different horse than the one I normally have! Try getting a beginner on her for a video. I know that mine would have sold in a heartbeat with a beginner video vs a video of me riding however, she is not for sale any time in the near future! If you’re on facebook PM me and we’ll have to add each other I love seeing halfies!

[cuatx55]

Haflingers aren’t usually seen as HJ. Not that its a bad thing. I agree to broaden her appeal- trail riding/eventing and fox hunting may be more her style.

If she is a good up/down kids horse then the breed is less critical.

She seems very strong and fast- that is probably scaring off those who want a kids horse or hunter.

I do not see anything here that makes me think she is polished and finished.

[arlosmine]

Haffies are seen most as all arounders. Forget about Foxhunting…make a video showing her walking calmly across a tarp, going calmly through a small water crossing, walking down a trail, standing quietly while an ATV drives by…if she can’t do those things, train her to do them. Also, get a western saddle on her her for one of the shots, at least.

Think trail ride first, sport pony second.

[ChristinaClarLuisa]

More experienced people than me have said it, but I will add a vote too.
A year ago, I would have had your buyers…brave 12-year-old who wanted to try tiny-fences eventing, and petite re-rider mom who mostly wanted to hack, with maybe some LL dressage in future. Looking for a versatile, inexpensive, easy keeper and OK with some greenness (they had a trainer.)
They bought a chunky paint hony for $800, now happily showing around locally.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=Halt Near X;7644609]

You also might want to look for haflinger sale sites (maybe on FB?) in addition to the general sale sites. [/QUOTE]

There are several Haflinger oriented facebook groups that I know of that allow ads.

[jse]

[QUOTE=ChristinaClarLuisa;7645838]
More experienced people than me have said it, but I will add a vote too.
A year ago, I would have had your buyers…brave 12-year-old who wanted to try tiny-fences eventing, and petite re-rider mom who mostly wanted to hack, with maybe some LL dressage in future. Looking for a versatile, inexpensive, easy keeper and OK with some greenness (they had a trainer.)
They bought a chunky paint hony for $800, now happily showing around locally.[/QUOTE]

See that would be her perfect situation - those buyers are out there I just think (like others have said) that we will need to wait for that person to come along! No biggie - I’m not rushing the sale. I’m glad you posted cause that gives me a slight glimmer of hope that there is indeed someone out there for her!

I spoke to her previous owner this AM and they said that the owner before them only evented with her so she has that experience - just need to re-school her I believe!