| Once you've made the decision to buy yourself a | | | | you're looking for a Haflinger that's got the right |
| Haflinger Horse, you want to keep one thing in mind. | | | | temperament for a riding center. Similarly, you might be |
| You can only hurt yourself by hurrying. Actually, that's | | | | a casual equestrian, and your goal in purchasing a new |
| pretty good advice for purchasing any breed of horse. | | | | horse is simply to add a friendly horse to your |
| Horses have a long life span. Giving yourself a few | | | | backyard farm - one that your and your children are |
| weeks or even months if necessary to conduct a | | | | going to saddle up and ride for a long time to come. |
| search for just the right one will go a long way to | | | | Haflingers are generally thought of as belonging to two |
| ensuring that the purchase is one that both you and | | | | distinct groups - working horses and pleasure horses. |
| your horse are going to be pleased with for years to | | | | And while you certainly can ask your horse to move |
| come. | | | | back and forth between those two groups - indeed, |
| In many ways, buying a Haflinger mare or stallion has a | | | | Haflingers are often precisely that flexible - you do |
| lot in common with marriage. Rushing into the process | | | | want to be sure that you've isolated the characteristics |
| is a surefire recipe for disaster! If you're serious, you | | | | that are ideally suited to your goals. After all, a |
| want to find the perfect mate - and that's just not a | | | | Haflinger horse that prefers digging in and sweating it |
| search that you can conduct in a matter of days. | | | | out all day might get a little bored - and a little ornery - |
| Here's a basic list of do's and don'ts when it comes to | | | | going in circles all day with inexperienced riders on its |
| looking into buying a Haflinger - or any horse. | | | | back. |
| First, be sure to ask yourself what your new horse is | | | | The bottom line is that you want to be smart. It's a lot |
| for. A Haflinger can be a working horse and you might | | | | of work up front for a big payoff over the long haul. |
| be a working farmer. If that's the case, then you're | | | | Talk to other equestrians, equine veterinarians, and |
| looking for a horse that can help plow fields and lug cut | | | | spend some time researching both online and in your |
| lumber. On the other hand, you might be looking for a | | | | local library. Buying a horse is a big step and the |
| horse for your busy teaching business. In that case, | | | | consequences last a long time. Be sure you do it right! |