Bringing Up Baby

By Sydney Burton

Savanna CSS is a 4-year-old Haflinger mare. I was given her through the IHHA horse giveaway by Allen and Gloria Snow and family. I won Savanna in 2015 and from there have relentlessly worked, starting at her age of 3, I broke her and did all the groundwork myself. At age 4, she will now be taken to the AHR Nationals where we will do dressage and jumping. Frequently, we compete at various eventing and jumping shows where she is a member of IHJA and IEA.

Working with a youngster can be very off putting especially if someone does not have practice or experience. Young horses need patience and a lot of repetition. For me, the best experiences I've had with horses is the training and working with young unbroke or non-trusting foals. Repetition is key to getting the results that you crave, much like a child, young horses thrive off positive experiences and knowing they have done something well. For me and Savanna, it was a long road but making it to the Nationals with a now mature performance horse is one of the best feelings and is very fulfilling!

The Indiana Haflinger Horse Association's 4-H Youth Haflinger Award Program aims to teach families about the versatility of the Haflinger and to help youth obtain, raise and show a purebred Haflinger at their local county fair and/or state fair event. Among other requirements, interested participants must submit an application and letters of recommendation, and complete an interview with the Indiana Haflinger Horse Association 4-H Youth Horse Award Program Committee and owner of the horse to be awarded. To learn more about this program, visit indianahaflingers.com!