Look in the mirror
Travel with a Horse is a challenge not to compare with anything else. To work with horses is like looking in a mirror. To live with horses is be part off a hurdle.
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We bought Aysha and Isabella early October 2005, not two years ago.
Aysha is than 10 years old, Isabella 5. Aysha is well trained in everything. Isabella walks along reasonably in the team, but besides that, she is only a half trained animal.
They both come from a big herd of about forty horses and have been declaring healthy by the vet, but can't be calling fat. Moreover, that's an understatement.
We, at that point had also little experience with horses. John rode a horse and carriage with a single horse for two years, about 25 years ago. Thea had no experience at all.
With some exercises, we learn the basic principles of interaction between man and horse. The basis that we have picked up: be unequivocal, but soft. In addition, how important distance-closeness is and man as leader decides that this.
The Haflinger Breed
More specific on our horses Aysha and Isabella
The Haflinger BreedThe Haflinger horse began in the Austrian Alps in the year 1879 with the birth of "249 Folie," who was the result of a cross between a refined mountain mare and a half-Arabian stallion. This breed was named for the town, Hafling, where this foal was born, and is in the region that now belongs to Italy. This breed is small, ranging from 13.3 to 15 hands, but strong. During their history, the Haflinger horse has been indispensable to farmers who needed horses that could do it all - from driving farm wagons, to riding, to packing. The ideal one is golden chestnut with a snowy and abundant white mane and tail, fairly light in build, gentle and friendly, sure footed, and very hard working.
They are easy keepers, and ideally suited to regions with mountainous terrain and four seasons. Because of their human-loving character, they easily become part of the family.
Originally the Haflinger was a lightly built horse, but during the first and second world wars, the breed was crossed with draft-style breeds to make it more suited to packing for the army. This practice made the Haflinger bulkier and therefore less versatile, so for the last 50 years, the trend has been to breed back to the original style.
The modern Haflinger is gaining popularity as a driving, dressage, trail, and therapy horse. It is also usually a good jumper.
In Holland the breed was introduced in the late fifties. As an alternative for poor farmers. Planned to be used out in the fields. However the tractor become more popular and cheaper so this did not succeed.
The Haflinger vs. other breeds
you can always spot the Haflinger in a crowd!
Breeds such as the Arabian, Morgan and Quarter Horse, started out more like the Haflinger. They were smaller and hardier, and were known for their friendly, willing, natures. Today, those breeds have been altered due to demand for bigger and showier horses. They are more prone to health problems, and many of them have become "hotter" in temperament.This Haflinger-breeds has all the best original characteristics of these breeds, but combined in one versatile and gorgeous package! Their beautiful and distinctive colourings, hard-working nature, and classic conformation make them the breed that can work on the farm on Saturday, take you for a drive in a sulky on Sunday, and be ridden in the dressage ring on Monday.
The breeding standards ensure that, while the Haflinger will never be a heavy draft horse or a tall hunter-jumper, it will be the one horse that can "do it all" with style and grace, and you can always spot one in a crowd!
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The Haflinger breed
The stars of our journey. Without them we are nowhere.
www.slow-express-journey.com The stars of our journey.
Horse-drawn caravan journey from the North Sea until far in the East. With two horses, two people and a dog. No goal to reach, just a direction to take. Never to now where to sleep that day!
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