Periodically the WHA conducts a writing contest, open to all ages.
The 2010 theme was "Why My Haflinger Is Special".
Following is the winning essay
by Janet Kahl
WOW did my life change starting on July 2, 2004!! I was sooo very excited to be getting my first horse!! Her registered name is Emerald. Emmy is my Haflinger mare. She is dark chestnut with a white blaze down the center of her face, with a double sided flaxen mane and her long tail.
In 1995, I first saw the Haflinger breed on the front page of Horse Illustrated. I still have that magazine. They are known as the "Golden Ponies of Austria". Not too tall, pretty and the calm horse for the nervous horse owner, perfect horse for me.
I found Emmy on the internet and fell in love with her. I went to Redding to meet Holly Singleton and ride Emmy. All went well and Holly brought Emmy down to Rohnert Park to me.
I know many of you have grown up with horses, you are lucky. You may think, it's not that big of a deal, but I bet you can remember when YOU got your first horse. I had only been waiting for about 51 years!!
Emmy & I worked on getting to know each other. Emmy was a mellow girl just like a Haflinger should be. Eventually, Emmy started to put on weight and got rounder as time went by. I was advised that she was probably eating too much. I was also told to cut back her hay and give her more exercise. I did as instructed, since I was asking the vet with more experience than I had about her weight gain.
The morning of February 22, 2005 was a foggy day, nothing outstanding for weather this time of the year in Sonoma County. I decided keep Emmy in and exercise her after work. I got a phone call later that morning, Emmy had a new foal!! (No wonder she was gaining weight and getting round!!) I couldn't get my computer turned off quick enough, grabbed my jacket and ran out of the office.
I arrived at Double Bar M where I was boarding at the time (after driving as fast as I could to get there and not get a ticket). I just stood there in surprise, wonder and amazement of this spindly little creature that was standing next to Emmy. That little creature was soo beautiful and she was Emmy's baby!! THANK GOODNESS MOTHER NATURE TAKES OVER FOR THOSE OF US WHO DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS PREGNANT. Ignorance is not always bliss.
Still in shock, I went into Emmy's stall and touched her little filly. I had never touched a new born foal before. I then realized she was mine also. Emmy and her baby girl were both healthy. Emmy had a wonderful weight loss program, one little foal and she probably dropped at least 80 pounds. Emmy was a wonderful first time mom. She was very good about letting all our friends look over the gate to admire her new baby girl.
Since I wasn't expecting a foal, I had a crash course reading all about baby horses. Lots to learn!! Being Haflinger owners, you know that there are seven letters, which represents seven lineages. I had to think of a name that started with an "E". I named our baby, Emberlaine's A Surprise, Lainey for short. After a few days in the barn, Emmy and Lainey moved to the front pasture at Double Bar M for 6 months.
Emmy, Lainey and I traveled as a 3-some until Labor Day weekend that year. It was time to wean Lainey, she was 6 months old. I felt so sorry for both of my Girls. My "little Lainey" horse neighed until she was hoarse. Emmy was missing her baby also.
Lainey was almost 3 years old and it was time to enroll her in what I called "Terry Clancy's School of Good Horse Manners". I had been putting a bridle and saddle on Lainey for periods of time to get her use to them. She was always accepting of everything. Chris, my husband, would come out to help me with my Girls. On one of those days that he was out, I saddled Lainey and got on. Lainey just stood there and looked up as if to say, "Mom what are you doing up there?". We walked around with Chris leading us. I had decided that I wanted to be the first one to ride Lainey before she went into training with Terry. A BIG first for me, to sit in the saddle of my now grown baby Girl.
Life has not always been lived with rosy colored glasses and a bowl of cherries! Both Emmy and Lainey have tried my patience to the limits on different occasions over the last 6 years. Raising two young horses has been a challenge. I guess you could compare it to being a single mom with two young children! These children have four legs, weigh way more than I do and are much faster to chase!!
The Girls are like two kids, what one doesn't think of the other does!! Lainey would see some grass, decide she wanted to eat it, dragging me along with her. After weaning Lainey, Emmy was a new horse. My mellow Haflinger had LOTS of energy and a new attitude! Emmy also went into training with Terry Clancy. I always refer to Emmy as my "energizer bunny" that neighs! I do love it when they both come running to me when I go into the pasture to get them. Their nickers are music to my ears.
My Girls have been a wonderful and rewarding experience to me (most days). To have had a foal and raise her to a mature mare, has been a once in a life time chance for me.
We have been horse camping down to Stewart's Camp in Olema. Both the Girls did well at camping. I have taken them to Bodega Bay to ride at the ocean. Emmy loves going to the ocean. Lainey isn't as enthusiastic as her mother at the ocean. The beach is fine, no thanks for getting wet!
Last summer I took Emmy and Lainey (at different times) up to Holly Singleton's for a refresher course. I wanted both of the Girls to get more experience out on the trails. Holly has access to and exposed both Girls to going through water and other things. We went on trail rides at Whiskeytown and Lake Shasta last summer! I loved going on the rides to places that I didn't know existed. I also got a new appreciation for both of my Girls athletic abilities.
On one of those hot Redding days that we went to Whiskeytown trail riding. Holly took us to a stream to take a dip in. The water was still the cold runoff from the mountains. Holly showed Emmy and I where the deep part was. We went through the "trough" in the stream. I could feel Emmy's feet off the ground a little. Even though I don't like cold water, it felt really good that day!! It was a wonderful feeling!!
I feel I am having my second childhood with my Girls!! Both of my kids are married now. My husband, Chris, is my supporter and helper with my Girls. I always wanted horses growing up, but my mom was afraid of them. I always read books and admired the horses that my friends had. I am hoping that one of the grandchildren will share my love of my horses.
If you ever pass a white truck and horse trailer going down the road with a decal on the rear door saying "Emmy & Lainey's RV", Janet and her Girls are off for another fun day!!
Yes, my two little Golden Girls are the highlights at the end of my day. I always look forward to going out to see, ride and just be with them.
Happy Trails....Janet, Emmy & Lainey
