On the other hand (to my mind), legitimate breeders (and there are quite a few) take into consideration what they are purchasing as breeding stock and how to approach their breeding program to improve upon their initial purchase/s. They are trying to create something of value beyond money in their own pocket and as "artists" creating something, they usually put their own name or farm name on their creations. By signing their work they take responsibility for their breeding program and, as a buyer, I find that trustworthy behavior. They may not get a better horse every time, but they are putting forth their best effort to do so and are being honest and respectable in the process.
Hopefully, the $700 registered Haflinger HAS been sitting in someone's back yard and not been ridden at such a young age--certainly not by an adult (and very few children can actually train a horse--they just let the horse carry them about). I was pleased that he was not offered as "trained" at that age. He would only now be ready for very light starting and many folks wait until 4 to back Haflingers (then just walk-trot work). Most folks wait until the 6th year to walk, trot, AND canter any breed of horse. And the number of days per week and length of each session are important, too, for long term health and soundness.
My apologies if that post turned you or anyone else off the Haflinger breed -- that was NOT my intent. The Haflinger is my first choice for a mount and I continue to think everyone could enjoy this wonderful breed. I tend to think the owner of the $700 Haflinger is looking for a rapid sale due to difficult times. My local craigslist is full of free horses or ones less than $200. Unfortunately, we are experiencing a sad economy in many areas of the US.
Thank you for your post, Lene, which I have taken to heart and will not post again about a Haflinger for sale unless listed with a very large price tag. My hope was that some experienced Haflinger owner might buy the cute fellow and within the next few years give him some training and a good life. To my mind, he might be a bargain and I personally have no objections to a bargain--acknowledging that any buyer would need to be sure it was in fact a genuine bargain for them. We don't have his name, the names of his dam or sire, or the name of his breeder so I am reserving judgement upon his owner's breeding program. However, I now realize that any good (ie, possible good home) that may have resulted from my post is cancelled out by possible negative impressions upon potential buyers.
Incidentially, I truly don't think the Haflinger as a breed has nearly as many problems as the plethora of uninformed buyers have--folks who know the Haflinger know when they find a good one and those who are unsure need to go to the finest breeder they can find. There are MANY high quality Haflingers for sale in the US and Emily's site lists numerous sources for them. Happy hunting in finding yours. . . Cheers, Judy in NE TN
--- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, "Lene" <leneandersen@...> wrote:
>
> --- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, "cedarglyn" <cedarglyn@> wrote:
> >
> >> Hummmm. . . I keep seeing Haflingers for sale--<<
> >> I continue to be surprised at such low prices . . . <<
>
> Me too. I joined this group as I'm considering a Haflinger for my next horse. As an "outsider" I must say it doesn't give me any confidence in the breeding seeing all those very cheap Haflingers for sale. Your example with the 3 year old for 700 would make me think (maybe wrongly) that this is a result of back yard breeding (meaning not very serious or considered) and that not much effort has gone into assuring a good upbringing and basic training. More likely this horse has sat in somebody's back yard.
>
> Another problem I see, is that if you sell young horses cheap then some of them - the ones who are later resold, might end up as a husband/child/trail horse for somebody, who does not put much effort into the training of the horse. Then when the kid outgrows the horse it is put up for sale for maybe 2000 as a 7-8 year old. I would not buy such a horse.
>
> I'm also looking into Knabstruppers. Now there's another "story". There are very few around. Breeding seems to be on few (profesional) hands and the prices are quite high. But because the horses actually can be sold at a good price - I assume they are being pampered during their upbringing and they are not likely to be become back yard horses, which keeps the resale value high too.
>
> I know the above is generalizations - but I don't think I'm way off. I do believe the Haflinger as a breed in US has problems.
>
> Regards Lene
>
> PS: I don't mean anything derogatory with the phrase 'back yard". Merely use it as "not much effort" put into training.
>
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