Sunday, October 27, 2013

New ears in town! Meet Paddington.

There's someone new I'd like y'all to meet:


Yes, he really does come with those adorable tiny pony ears.

And this adorable face. HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THE FACE?!?!

I swear, we weren't looking for a horse. I had just said goodbye to Echo. I wasn't interested in riding, or really even being around horses. I was questioning why we even HAD horses.

And then a bloggy friend (you know who you are) asked me - hypothetically - what kind of horse we wanted. Gelding, I said. NOT BAY (Oberon, Saga, and Echo were all bays). Kind. Safe. Good manners. Lots of miles. Fun to ride. Really, the horse that most appealed to both of us was another Red, only a little taller, a little younger, and not gaited. She said we should get a Haflinger. I though, haha, right. Plump little pony, probably not an athletic bone in its body. Not really what we were thinking of. 

But of course, I'm a moron, so I looked up haffies on Dreamhorse. And I saw this:

Handsome little bugger...

Oooh, and he does dressage...

 
And he's a super cute jumper!

I watched the video of him doing dressage, and it was decent. And then I watched the video of him jumping... OMG ATTACK PONY JUMPER. He just locked on and took his rider to the fences, sailing over 3' like it was no big deal. He was also tall enough (15.1 and a half) and hefty enough to tote hubby around in his armor.

So I called. I talked to the owner. I talked to the trainer. The more I heard, the more I liked him. I rode him for all of 30 minutes, and we bought him. 

So that is how we became the owners of a Haflinger named Paddington (registered name Arno in Action). He's too cute for his own good, and he's just what both hubby and I need right now - a kind soul with a good heart that's fun and uncomplicated to ride. We are both - finally - feeling good about horses again.

And, YAY! A happy blog post! :)

51 comments:

  1. Ponies are the best! Looking forward to hearing about all your adventures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one is definitely a Phony, seeing as how he's 15.1 and a smidge. We're looking forward to lots of adventures!

      Delete
  2. OMG he is the definition of cute. ESPECIALLY over jumps! Very excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am channeling my inner 8 year-old when I go "SQUEEEE" every time I see his cute little ears!

      Delete
  3. Yay Paddy!!!!! I can't wait to go meet him :) :) :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hafy's are the best. I'm not biased in any way of course!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paddington thinks that Haffies are the best too, Camryn!

      Delete
  5. :O I'm so excited for you!!!!!!
    So much squishy pony goodness!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is definitely a lot of squishy pony goodness at my house. Hubby is getting a little sick of it! ;)

      Delete
  6. I am so happy for you. Paddington - I just think Paddington Bear and smile :) .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is sort of a big snuggly teddy-bear horse!

      Delete
  7. Congrats! So happy for you - Paddington is too cute!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What an adorable name for an adorable dude!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I swore he needed a more manly name than Paddington, but eh... Paddy works for him. He's too cute for a more manly name!

      Delete
  9. Squeeeee!! I am in love already -- he is so gorgeous. Congratulations!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a good thing he's so cute - makes up for anything bad he might do. ;)

      Delete
  10. So happy for you. He looks and sounds just perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Laura! I know your fondness for short, "broke" horses... here's hoping that's exactly what we've got!

      Delete
    2. jenj--Yep. That's exactly what I was thinking. My kind of horse...I so hope that you have a long and happy career together. And give Red a hug for me...he's definitely my kind of horse. Not that it matters, since they are your horses and its all about what you like, but I'm really hoping that you and your husband have some wonderful, fun, completely not-stressful times together on your horses.

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. That much cuteness is hard to resist, that's for sure!

      Delete
  12. SO happy for you! He looks like such an amazing sounding and looking guy. My daughter has a haffie too and though they don't look it they are definitely athletic animals. And like you have gotten to find out they LOVE to jump!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paddy is seriously an attack jumper, which I just love. I can't wait to really get started with him... he's so much fun!

      Delete
  13. Dream Horse!! love love that color. Someday perhaps my dream horse will come into my life....wait. He already has :) he may be sassy and a pain in the rump, and a mutt to boot, but he's mine and he's all I ever dreamed about. 10 years in April, he has saved me from myself more often then I care to discuss, at 23 he's still going strong. For that I am so grateful. Congradulations! this pony will heal your heart and soul.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, shandi, so glad you have one that's perfect for you. Everyone needs one of those!

      Delete
  14. Wonderful!

    I rode a Haflinger for a while and he did it all, including competitive driving. They are so versatile and often move like little warmbloods.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He does seem super versatile which is what I liked about him. That and when he's not being a pony, he really does move well!

      Delete
    2. Hehe. He's actually slightly taller than my quarter HORSE. ;)

      Delete
    3. You do know that two quarter horses make a Haffie, right?

      Delete
    4. Heheh. Oh my. You have the fever!

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. I will admit that we already have an endless list of cutesy nicknames for him. Paddypants is the current favorite!

      Delete
  16. What a cutie!!! I want one!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is awfully cute, I admit! And find your own haffie, you can't have mine! ;)

      Delete
  17. I am so happy for you. Congrats on your new addition, very adorable. <3

    ReplyDelete
  18. How exciting!! He is so handsome!!!!! One of my riding buddies just got a Haflinger after the sudden death of her mare. She's been super, super happy with her Haflinger. They are doing dressage together. :) Enjoy your new boy! He looks so sweet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EVERY person I have met that has a haffie says they are the BEST. I think we might become converts, 'cause he sure is awesome so far!

      Delete
  19. "I swear, we weren't looking for a horse." I've learned to eat those words (well, not "horse,") and now I'm full to bursting. Look out, it's a slippery slope. This is how we wound up with 10 (count 'em, ten) cats.

    I've come to believe that trying to protect one's heart from pain is a futile effort ... the only thing that works is to let it fill up with love.

    I'm happy for you guys ... Paddington is the cutest thing ever!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fortunately 10 cats is a bit different from 10 horses, lol! And thanks for the well-wishes... you'll have to come meet Paddy soon!

      Delete
  20. He's adorable! What a sweet face he has... I love him. I'm so happy for you and hubby. Can't wait to read more posts about him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's almost too cute for his own good, lol! And I'm sure there will be lots of posts about him in the very near future. :)

      Delete
  21. Gorgeous and adorable all in one package!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who knew that you could get all that in one Haffie!

      Delete
  22. I missed this post and that makes me sad, but I'm happy that you have Paddy :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Haflingers, the highly under rated horse! I swear they do anything. You will love him!

    ReplyDelete