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[paxamicus AT earthlink.net]

I bought him for Sophie...my 6 yo. He's imperturbable, and the people  
I bought him from had their 7 yo fox hunting off of him. He is big  
enough for me, too. I have done all kinds of things with him. He  
shows, trail rides, he drives, he'll pack a kid around a course, and  
he does it all on a flake of hay a day. I pulled his shoes and he's  
holding up ok with regular trims by my ex. Basically, he's an air fern.

There isn't much to dislike about draught horses. My problem is I'm  
5'1. To work with the Cleveland Bay we have, I need to stand on a step  
ladder, which is part of the reason I am happy with my "mini-Belgian".  
Cross bred Belgians are cheap, cheap, cheap up north, Bev, because  
they use Belgian mares in PMU factories. You could probably pick up a  
reasonable cross bred for dirt cheap from a rescue or some place. But  
don't do that unless you have someone to help you with him. : )

Next time you have marauders, you could try leaving a trail. Then they  
aren't running after you with the bucket but you can get them in the  
right direction. It's slower but it may be safer.

I put up three small single pics of some of the horses, one on each  
page, so that if anybody wants to see any of them. they don't have to  
gag their dial up.

This is Kipper's (the Halflinger) first day at home. From left to  
right is me, Sophie on Kipper, Maeve on Uncle Leo, and my sister. As  
you can see, we are poised to have him jump in any direction but he  
never even flicked an ear.

http://www.hopefieldfarm.com/freeimages/horses/kipper/kipsfirstday.jpg

I have lent him out periodically to other kids who were in need of a  
confidence boost. Those horsey folks amongst us will admire his  
bascule and his knees, I hope. Also, his patience given that the kid's  
leg is playing his rib cage like a cylophone, almost.. This is both  
his first show, and the kid's first show back after a bad experience  
with her own horse (under someone else's supervision). I know she's  
too tall for him, but she was really comfortable on him and I figured  
comfort and safety was more important than suitability.

http://www.hopefieldfarm.com/freeimages/horses/kipper/kipsarahtaylormade.jpg

This is our Cleveland Bay, Pirate. For some perspective, that jump is  
a 4'6" single.  Paul and I imported him from England. He is now lawn  
furniture at my Mom's.

http://www.hopefieldfarm.com/freeimages/horses/pirate/outofthetack.jpg

I have two wisdom teeth and a third molar out today. I am a little out  
of it.

Bev....how 'bout when we get settled we think about a Mom's Margarita  
and Horse Training Camp. I will barter. I will give you all the free  
lessons you want, and room and board, but you have to bring the baby  
and let me hold her for you whenever you are brushing the horse. Ok?  
Only if you bring the Angelface, we better leave off the margaritas  
and just have some yummy tea. And tea cakes of course.  :  ) Or maybe  
we could out-pizza the guys. i've been practicing.

Cheers,

Celia


On Apr 8, 2008, at 10:02 PM, Clansgian AT wmconnect.com wrote:

> >
>
> Not that I'd hesitate to buy one.  There's a draft horse auction  
> here twice a
> year and while a well trained (usually meaning Amish trained)  
> Belgian will go
> for as much as $4000, this past year many feasible Belgians and  
> Halflingers
> sold for $800.  You don't get much tractor for that money at any rate.
>
> Do you use your Halflinger in harness or do you ride him or both??    
> </HTML>