Haflingers - why is there no interest?

[jse]

[QUOTE=arlosmine;7645798]
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.[/QUOTE]

I’ve had someone tell us to do that with her recently! She will definitely do all of those things - she walked through the liverpool the first time we showed it to her…lol
Thank you for bringing that idea back to me!

[independentlyawesome]

I adore Haflingers, but the eventer crowd is going to want something that can do a decent dressage test. Doing some dressage work will improve her for any market. She isn’t bending at all when the kid’s riding her in a circle; she falls out during turns; and she’s not focused on the rider & even kicks out at another horse during the kid video! She has a very cute little jump, although green, and if she’s brave I’d definitely take some photos over cross-country obstacles. If she’s up to it, photos over larger jumps usually look better since she’ll have to actually think & jump.

I’d work on making her kid-friendly & marketing her towards brave little kids who want to try a bit of everything. Most re-riders I’ve met prefer quiet & sensitive mounts. A decent sized kid will have more fun with her rocketing around the countryside!

Also, does she have a few pounds she could shed to look a bit fitter? It’s hard to tell from the video if she’s really that thickly built or if she’s overweight.

[RugBug]

@meupatdoes;7644667

In the first video, it is persistently crooked, leaning/drifting, generally looks hard to steer and like it requires a bit of a ride to get it around, and for half the jumps on course the rider dumps it in the base so the horse has no option other than to jump awful. It looks like it is super green getting kicked around by a good rider and that it would take advantage and be a cow with a kid or intermediate adult.

I’m not trying to be an @$$ because the horse is cute and a completely adorable video could be made of it, but this video presents more flaws than attributes.

Hate to say it, but I agree with this. I think of Haflingers for beginner kids and this video does not show a horse ready for that at all. In fact, it doesn’t look all that broke. Selling this horse to an intermediate rider isn’t going to be easy because it’s going to be topped out pretty darn quick with that rider.

Get it broke and then try to sell it .

[2ndyrgal]

Teach it to drive

much more market there. Really.

If a Haffie isn’t absolutely child user friendly, you might as well give up. There are too many biddable nice ones that are angels and beginner friendly around.

You are in the wrong marketplace. Really.

Didn’t bother to watch the video. I sold a very sporty haffie to a pony club kid, but it jumped the moon, had changes and was a saint on the ground. His Robert Redford hair didn’t hurt either. He’s over 20 now and still doing the little kids, walking around, trotting if they are big enough to make him.

It’s not the breed. It’s the pony and the lack of training.

[Well_Worn_Bridle]

I’m looking for a haflinger exactly like the one you’re selling, but I’m sure you would find the price range I’m looking in insulting. Within the first two weeks of looking in the three digit price range, I’ve seen several sound, registered haffies who look comparable to yours. If your pony was within my price range, I would definitely take a look, but I suspect you’re asking double- or greater- than I intend to spend on a thick pony to mess around on when I want a break from my thoroughbred.

I’m sorry you’re having difficulty selling, but if it’s any consolation, as others have mentioned you’re not alone.

[BITSA]

We have a girl in our barn with an adorable Haflinger. The pony does quite well in short stirrup and has started rated classes this year – mediums (A and AA shows) and pins well o/f and middle of the pack u/s. Adorable pony with a perfect jump. She is a lot of pony for the girl, but the girl is confident and brave.

I think you need some better video honestly. Get her mane braided and maybe get some video at a show where she’s going around a hunter ring? The video you have looks like a jumper pony and not so much like a hunter. She’s very cute though.

[Countrywood]

She’ll make some lucky person a great horse. Not everyone wants a deadhead. Just be patient, keep working with her, sounds like you are open to the suggestions made.

[jse]

[QUOTE=RugBug;7646347]
Hate to say it, but I agree with this. I think of Haflingers for beginner kids and this video does not show a horse ready for that at all. In fact, it doesn’t look all that broke. Selling this horse to an intermediate rider isn’t going to be easy because it’s going to be topped out pretty darn quick with that rider.

Get it broke and then try to sell it .[/QUOTE]

She IS broke.
Why would you say she’s not broke? A couple of people have said that and I just don’t understand. The mare literally did not work much for the past 3 years prior to us having her - and she has been in somewhat consistent work with us for the past 3 months so she is very unschooled like I said previously, but she is certainly broke in my eyes.

Not at all trying to be snarky - just trying to understand where the unbroke thing is coming from!

[jse]

[QUOTE=Countrywood;7646524]
She’ll make some lucky person a great horse. Not everyone wants a deadhead. Just be patient, keep working with her, sounds like you are open to the suggestions made.:)[/QUOTE]

Thank you Countrywood! I have a feeling a horse like this is more like something we will sell by word of mouth and with time. And like I said before, that’s totally cool with me…she’s a good girl and I enjoy riding her. She is the total opposite of what I am used to so it’s helping my riding quite a bit!

[meupatdoes]

[QUOTE=jse;7646607]
She IS broke.
Why would you say she’s not broke? A couple of people have said that and I just don’t understand. The mare literally did not work much for the past 3 years prior to us having her - and she has been in somewhat consistent work with us for the past 3 months so she is very unschooled like I said previously, but she is certainly broke in my eyes.

Not at all trying to be snarky - just trying to understand where the unbroke thing is coming from![/QUOTE]

Because, at least from what is shown in the video, she does not exhibit understanding of the basics. She consistently does not bend in the direction she is going. Consistently her shoulder is curved in and her nose is pointed out -the opposite of straightness when riding on a curve or corner. She does not demonstrate any response to the inside leg, and falls in around every turn.

If the rider does not have control of the horse sufficient to ride it straight on path they are travelling, how broke is the horse?

This is a 3.5 year old horse on his fourth ride undersaddle and it is much less heavy and lean-y on the inside leg, and softer in the bridle. He makes baby mistakes with his straightness but for the most part when he is on a curve his ribcage is pressed out and his nose is in -to match the shape of the curve. When he crosses a diagonal he moves his spine from one bend to the other, and does a little baby legyield away from the new inside leg. It already looks lighter and overall softer to ride and in this video it is being ridden its 4th time. These are little details that the haflinger could work on as well which would make her much softer and easier to ride.

I am not saying the haflinger isn’t cute, just that there are some basic things that could be checked off in a few focused rides which would make her notably more pleasant to ride and to look at on video. If the horse is leaning on the inside leg like a freight train don’t ignore it; focus on making sure the basic training is there and she will be super cute.

[RugBug]

[QUOTE=jse;7646607]
She IS broke.
Why would you say she’s not broke? A couple of people have said that and I just don’t understand. The mare literally did not work much for the past 3 years prior to us having her - and she has been in somewhat consistent work with us for the past 3 months so she is very unschooled like I said previously, but she is certainly broke in my eyes.

Not at all trying to be snarky - just trying to understand where the unbroke thing is coming from![/QUOTE]

Like Meup says…she seems to lack understanding of a lot of basics, like steering. she’s weaving all over the place in that video, bouncing from side to side.

Now, if your definition of broke is that it doesn’t try to kill you when you sit on it, then sure, she’s broke. But to me “unschooled” and “broke” are pretty close to the same thing. I do not think a horse without steering is broke.

Maybe she’s better on the flat…but I have one video to judge by…and if that is what you are using to sell her, well, it’s not going to get a good response, IMO.

Edited to add: I just watched the June 18th video. She falls through all her turns and is unbalanced and quick at the canter…giving the impression of being on the verge of control. How long have you had her? Is she green broke because that would explain a lot (forgive me if you already answered but I didn’t read all your posts word for word). She looks better with the man on her, but she still looks like fast is her first choice and that she has to be managed every step to avoid the strongness. There are people out there that like that, but they are harder to find and are often looking for something with more scope and talent.

[Trixie]

What they said. She’s not straight, looks to be hauling on you, isn’t bending through her body, etc. The XC stuff from the ad is the better footage - shows her off the best - but she still doesn’t look broke.

That being said, I know the market around FC so I went ahead and looked up your ad. If you want me to be honest, here’s what stopped me (after I drooled at the GORGEOUS farm) - within the first 30 seconds of the video, she appears to be rushing around like a little tank with her head in the air and a rider whom you say is advanced on her. When I fast forwarded a little, it showed a clear lack of lead change.

That tells me, if I were a parent or trainer - i.e., those usually looking for ponies for kids - I’d probably stop it at that and figure she’s going to take advantage of a kid. And any parent looking for a pony around here usually looks for super broke, esp in terms of XC or hunting - and the show kids want ponies that are built for the pony ring and those MUST have changes if not the rest of the package.

Don’t get me wrong - I think she’s super cute. I’m just thinking those may be reasons for the lack of response. Also, you’re advertising her as an 11 year old prospect instead of highlighting what she HAS done.

[SidesaddleRider]

^^^ Completely, completely agree with meupatdoes, RugBug, and Trixie. She is broke in the sense that she has some basics, but she is not broke enough for a child. Unless she is SUPER cheap, she needs a lot more flatwork, lots of jumping through gymnastic lines, etc – as an 11 yr old, I really would expect her to be going and doing a lot more than she appears to be. She probably will make up to be a good pony club or hunt pony – but she still needs to be more broke and kid-safe, which right now she isn’t. I think she needs at least a solid year of work to be kid-safe. If she is not really really inexpensive, for now, spend the next 2 months getting her more broke, start taking her on hunt trail rides on Saturday mornings (most of the local hunts will have them every Sat morning in August), get a better video, take her out hunting in September, and THEN start advertising her.

I went and found your ad, and for that price, she needs to be a lot more rideable for a pony club home, and she needs some real hunting experience for a hunt home (b/c while hunting kids are usually good riders with “stickability”, most parents in the area are not going to put their kids on an unproven hunt pony). And even if you have a small adult that wants a pony/hony to hunt, they will still want more rideabilty. In the video, the x-c portion is without a doubt the best part of it. Personally, I would not include any of the video from the ring.

[AirForceWife]

You have her advertised as palomino too; haflingers are chestnut never palomino. She’s cute but not for the price you have her advertised unfortunately. I paid $1200 for mine and she’s doing/done exactly what yours is doing.

[fordtraktor]

I think this is a pretty tough crowd. I watched a few more of her videos and think she’s actually probably a good bit more broke than she looks. Put someone on her, any size, that can ride her with a low, soft hand and make her look like the sweet thing I imagine she probably is. She is so consistent over the fences I think she’s just being presented poorly. In multiple videos both riders’ hands are distracting – they are too high and fussy. They make her look difficult and I would bet she’s not that difficult. It’s a problem. I don’t care what size the rider is, get one with soft low hands that can finesse her around and she’ll look pretty easy to ride.

Also, just let her canter nicely around the jumps slowly. She has a nice slow canter in a few glimpses of video, show it off. Don’t worry about making strides, it’s more important that she looks easy to ride for a kid or ammy than that she makes distances because she’s not a division pony, she’s a fun pony (and I bet she really is – but she’s hiding her light under a barrel here).

That’s my two cents on her sales videos. I haven’t seen her price but I think 1200 is too low if you get her marketed properly. Maybe the market has tanked but when we sold Haffies the reliable jumping ones who could cart ammies around trails and the hunt field went for closer to low five figures than three figures. Get her going well and I think you can do better. she does need to be very reliable and well-broke to get good money for her, but she’s certainly got the potential.

Another thing to consider doing with her – one of those “obstacle course” clinics/trail clinics, maybe? Anything to get her more broke and proven is a good thing.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=jse;7646607]
She IS broke.
Why would you say she’s not broke? A couple of people have said that and I just don’t understand. The mare literally did not work much for the past 3 years prior to us having her - and she has been in somewhat consistent work with us for the past 3 months so she is very unschooled like I said previously, but she is certainly broke in my eyes.

Not at all trying to be snarky - just trying to understand where the unbroke thing is coming from![/QUOTE]

I stopped at “pushy on the ground” and “only likes my husband” didn’t help. A friend of mine with a Haffie in her boarding barn described the breed as “draft body, pony mind.”

To me, that means you need to have her extra-polite on the ground before anyone comes to see her.

I think people will see your horse (as she is now) as more broke under saddle if she’s not also impolite in hand. They can put training and miles on her to smooth out the under saddle stuff. A horse who is also “unbroke” on the ground will indicate something about the horse’s mind to a buyer.

[Linny]

If she stood for 3 years before you got her, what she probably needs is to be fitter and better balanced. Each of the riders appeared to be riding off their hands not legs. Now, when you have a quick pony, it’s easy to get into the habit, but no matter, the pony has to move off the leg. I love her willingness to jump (a valuable asset) but she looks a few times like she’s going to the jump however she dang well pleases.

I like her and if I were looking for a fun “project” (which she would be, based on having had a long vacation, not a reflection on you) for a small adult or a brave good riding kid, I’d consider her.

Pros: Cute, wants to jump the jumps, decent mover (more dressage than hunters) decent jump when placed well, not division pony but local. Rides well outside the ring. While small, she’s solid enough to carry a fairly big adult.

Cons: Haffies are a bit of a niche market and they have a bit of a reputation for devilishness. She appears quick and doesn’t bend or supple.

Marketing advice: Get a good dressage rider on her to get her responsive to the leg, bending etc. Try to get her to appear more “soft” to ride. The young lady I saw riding her appeared braced against her with a high wide hand. Even if the horse is kick along quiet, that makes me feel like it’s not. As she gets fitter, she might get quicker so she might not be a novice friendly pony. There is a market for ponies that can do it all for adults who don’t mind a challenge but who prefer to be closer to the ground while facing it.
Apart from the videos, what are you doing to market her? Are there any trail riding clubs, pony clubs or such around? Barns that have foxhunters often have pony clubbers and eventers and all round pleasure riders. Are there FB pages for local clubs or groups? A local hunt?
The H/J show world is populated by people accustomed to a certain “look” about their horses. Above the local level “unconventional” breeds can be a tough sell.

[PaintPony]

If she was quiet I would say she’d be a great local short stirrup hunter. She’s super cute. Have you ever put a smaller kid on her? Could she go nicely twice around the outside lines over 4 cross rails? Many people I know are looking for that exact thing.

But being quick and hard to steer, along with being pushy on the ground is pretty much a no-go for any pony parent I know. Too bad because she’s darling! Could you find someone to work with her until she sells? Or how about having a small teenager take her on as a project for 6 months and then trying to sell again?

And definitely take that jumper round down please - it scared me in a couple of places when the rider dropped her at the base of the fence.

[red_mares]

That pony is a tank! Why look for ‘small adults’ or tiny beginners? She has the bone to carry a regular size person.

I know a couple stout ladies, on the far side of middle age, who have joked for years about getting a Haflinger - small enough they can get leg over, but heavy enough to carry them. The one in my barn pulls the manure spreader.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=red mares;7647421]

I know a couple stout ladies, on the far side of middle age, who have joked for years about getting a Haflinger - small enough they can get leg over, but heavy enough to carry them. [/QUOTE]
That is why I bought mine. I can mount from the ground or when I fall off (my own doing usually) the splat is not so bad as if it was from higher up.
Perfect mid life crisis horse. Great on hunter paces.