Mango
How Mango Got Her Name
This quiet little Haflinger rescue was named Mango, after listening to a slew of cutesy names for a little blonde girl. We settled on her name after Banana was suggested by Christine, which was a no go with Stephanie. I thought it would be great for kids to go home and say “I rode Banana!”. I thought about the many mango smoothies I had made this summer in the Road Apple Cafe. Mango smoothies are Stephanie’s favorite. I thought she might like the name Mango and I thought it was cute without being too foofoo. She loved it so the sweet little Haflinger rescue got her new name.
The Condition of the Haflinger Rescue
This little mare arrived underweight and scared to death. We had to leave the halter on her and work on catching in the pasture her every day. She would move away as we approached and quivered when we touched her. Mango had obviously had some traumatic experience and did not like to be touched. Now she is in the herd with no halter and is often the first horse to come up and put her head right in your chest for a good scratch behind the ears.
She was unsure about the saddle and often moved away while being mounted. She definitely did not like to leave the herd. But with light work each day she became accustom to the morning ritual of grooming and saddling. She now stands quietly as her young riders mount up. Mango is very slow on the trail. As you can see in the picture she is curious and likes to help keep the herd together. She is easy to pony, essentially spookless and will walk and trot willingly. We plan to work on her canter this fall. We may even find out if she knows how to drive.
A Perfect Fit
Mango appears to be the perfect fit into our herd of rather large horses. She is about the same height as Cricket and Vista so she can give them a break in the summer when a lot of kids under 13 ride each day. She’s perfect in the herd, great for the farrier and has wonderful manners around crowds. We think she’s a long-term herd member here at the farm.
