Twin Birch Farm Haflingers was established in 1994 when Dirk and Karen Young of Skaneateles, New York, purchased their first Haflinger, a 4-month-old stud colt named Nyx Napoleon, and brought him home to join a morgan mare and quarter horse gelding. Soon after, sold on the disposition and willingness of the Haflinger breed, the Haflinger addiction began. Since that time, the Youngs have striven to breed and develop quality, pleasure-type Haflinger horses that are well-rounded and competitive in the local, state and national halter and performance show arenas. Twin Birch Farm Haflingers consistently place well in halter, pleasure driving, under saddle and combined driving events. Their show schedule includes everything from local driving and riding shows to premier events such as Walnut Hill, Lorenzo and the Laurels. In addition to competing in open and breed shows, Twin Birch Farm Haflingers enjoy riding and driving over the farm's 2,500 acres of countryside. It is here that the Haflingers fine-tune their performance skills and really enjoy being a horse!
Twin Birch Farm currently owns 16 Haflingers, all registered with the American Haflinger Registry. In September 2002, the Youngs imported four weanling fillies from various breeders in Austria, and in 2007 two additional fillies were imported from Haflingerhof Karslbad in Germany. This exceptional group of fillies represent some of the best bloodlines available in the U.S. today and are Twin Birch's current and future broodmare base.
January 2004 brought the completion of a new, private use equine facility at Twin Birch Farm. The 72 x 84 foot main stable houses twenty 12 x 12 foot Loddon Stalls (black galvanized steel with balua wood). Each stall has it's own drain, rubber mat and automatic waterer. Stall aisles are edged with traditional Belgian cobblestone, while the heated concrete floors provide extra comfort for horse and human in the cold, winter months. Four foot fans installed in the ceiling at the end of each aisle provide a tunnel ventilation/air conditioned effect which keeps the horses cool and also deters insects during the hot, summer months. A 9 x 12 foot tiled wash stall, 12 x 12 foot grooming area, 9 x 9 foot feed room and a large tack room complete the interior, while manure, hay and shavings are stored separately in the attached, covered annex. A restroom, laundry and lounge, sporting a 3 x 12 foot hand painted Haflinger mural, complete the east wing of the barn. The facility's second floor offers a large viewing area and show booth overlooking the 80 x 150 foot indoor arena. Automatic vinyl curtains along the north and south ends of the arena provide natural light, ventilation and a beautiful view for working horses in inclement weather. Finally, a 30 x 80 foot garage with automatic overhead doors at each end houses the truck and trailer and provides a lighted, undercover area to load and unload horses safely. Click here to see all the photos for our facility.
Twin Birch Farm Haflingers are handled daily and always with kindness and respect. Early in life they are imprinted and introduced to in hand training, followed by driving at age two and saddle training at age three. Horses are worked indoors as well as cross country. Fence work begins between four and six years of age. Each horse is vaccinated and dewormed regularly and hoof trimming is performed every 6-8 weeks as needed. The tooth fairy also visits annually to make sure the horse's mouths are all happy and healthy. Mature Haflingers on the farm average 57 to 61 inches in height (14.1 to 15.1 hands). Twin Birch Haflingers are selected and bred for the very best in pedigree, conformation, temperament and movement.
Dirk and Karen are active members of the New York State Registered Haflinger Association, where Karen served as Secretary and Newsletter Editor from 2000-2002, Vice-President from 2002-2004 and currently serves on the Board of Directors. She is also the President the Haflinger Owners Promotional Enterprise (H.O.P.E.). Dirk has served as a NYSRHA Director and was the 2003-2005 Northeast Regional Director for the American Haflinger Registry (AHR) and currently serves on the AHR World Federation Committee. The Youngs are also members of the American Driving Society, USEA, USDF, Cherry Valley Carriage Association, Pittsford Carriage Association, Barneveld Horsemen's Association, the American Haflinger Registry and Founding Members of the New York Gold Classic Registered Haflinger Show Committee.
Twin Birch Farms is located in Skaneateles, New York, in the heart of the Finger Lakes where nearby vineyards produce New York's finest wines. In this small village, which has earned the well-deserved reputation for having one of the cleanest bodies of water in the world, visitors enjoy fine dining, shopping, sailing, polo and community friendliness in a quaint, historic, village setting. The Youngs invite you to stop by and visit the next time you're in the area.
If you are looking for a well-bred, show quality Haflinger that will be competitive in hand, under saddle or in harness, or if you would just like to view the beautiful Haflinger breed at its best, give Twin Birch Farm a call. They love to talk Haflingers!
TWIN BIRCH FARMS
info@twinbirch.net (315) 784-5840
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