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8 The Canadian Statesman, Bowman ville, Wednesday, September 11,1991 Section Two Health, Hobbies & Lifestyles Lots of Pony Per Poundn Respite Service Offers Relief for Family Austrian Haflingers Prove to be the Perfect Horse For Robert and Hazel Gilbank by Laura J. Richards They don't look like the ordinary ordinary ponies at the local stables, nor do they perform like them. However, as far as Hazel and Robert Gilbank are concerned concerned that is what they find appealing about the Austrian- bred ponies called Haflingers. "The first time I saw them in 1976 I liked them," said Robert. And it shows. The Gilbanks now have nine Haflingcr ponies ponies in their stables on Green Road. Clorise, Carrie, Courtney, Casey, Candy, Connie, Alpine, Nedrow Native, and Allan Lad arc members of the family. These ponies, besides being playful, arc huge. Each weighs in at about 1,200 pounds when fully grown. That's a lot of pony per pound. However, they arc gentle, and that is what the Gilbanks were looking for. "They have a nice temperament temperament and arc easy to work with," said Hazel. "Before we bought the first two ponies, we had been working with horses that were part Hackney. "But they were too high strung." In addition, the horses were not as friendly with children, Hazel added. Although there really isn't a lot of work for them at the farm, Robert and Hazel do try to keep their Haflingers in work throughout the summer and winter months at various locations in the region. Many people have become acquainted with them through wagon and sleigh rides in some of the area parks and Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority properties. They have made appearances appearances at Harmony Valley and Enniskillen Enniskillen Conservation Areas Robert Gilbank has always loved horses and the love certainly shows when he gets out the show harness for his Haflinger ponies. He enjoys the preparation involved in getting ready for a show as much as the actual showing of his ponies. Inset photo shows a Haflinger pony and colt owned by Hazel and Robert Gilbank. The breed was first introduced to North América in the mid 1970s. ... HOP..SKIP...SKATE... I ïaii. S d ho « * $ F h [fini ^3 * * ■u i « -r» ^ Join us for the 11th Annual g TERRY FOX RUN^ ; for Cancer Research ^ Sunday, September 15th 5 ™ Memorial Park, Bowman ville O 9:00 a.m. Pi Sponsored by Kinsmen Club of Bowmanville » and Darlington Provincial Park. Tnc wagon rides are popular popular with children and adults alike. And the excursions help the ponies pay their way in the household, said Hazel. "We lost a lot of sleigh rides because of poor snow conditions," said Hazel when she recalled last winter's conditions. conditions. During the winters, when there is enough snow to take a group out on a sleigh ride they have permission to go onto . their neighbor's land to extend the length of the trips. To help the ponies get around on ice and snow, Robert Robert makes sure the Haflingers have proper footwear. The shoes have picks on the bottom. bottom. But the sleigh and wagon rides are not all the Haflingers pull around on working days. Lately Robert has been considering considering another job for the ponies. ponies. "There is a lot of interest to take newlyweds from the churches," said Robert. That is the working side of owning the ponies. However, there is another side to the Gilbanks' Gilbanks' partnership with the horses. Robert likes spending time with them. He enjoys grooming the ponies, ponies, being with them, and showing them at fairs. "I really enjoy showing the ponies. I have custom made show harness for them made from a combination of leather, patent leather and chrome hardware." If it sounds like pretty, classy looking stuff, rest assured, assured, it is. And Robert enjoys the work that goes into showing his ponies. ponies. He "power washes" them the day before a fair and likes doing the fussy things that smartens up the look of the ponies. ponies. This includes things like braiding their tails and manes. "They look more like a draft horse when their tails are , done up," said Robert. "A lot of the fairs don't ' have classes for the (Haflinger) ponies yet." However, that doesn't mean that ribbons and trophies come easily when the Haflingers are shown. "There can be up to eight teams in a class. "You really earn your ribbons, ribbons, because everyone can't win." However, that is bound to change once more people begin begin raising the ponies. The first Haflinger ponies were brought to Canada in the mid-1970s. In June 1977, the first ones were registered, in Canada. Hazel and Robert said the ponies at first fooled many people, All those except "true horse people." And Robert definitely considers considers himself a true horse person. person. He used to ride on the family farm when he was younger. As for now, he prefers to use the Haflingers to pull, rather rather than to ride up top. "There isn't any problem with riding them. But we're 50 years old and we're not going up to get down again," said Robert. However, they do love their Haflingers. Just how much, Robert was asked? "We have a five acre hobby farm," he replied. "And we're looking for a bigger place. "If . we had. more ■ room, we'd have more Haflingers." Complete Professional Lawn Care • Weed Spraying • Crabgrass • Chinch Bug Control • Fertilizing • Insect Spraying • Plug Coraeration • Programs 623-4597 Bowmanville Courtlce 983-5598 Orono Newcastle by Laura J. Richards Everyone needs a break, especially when a family has an individual in it who has "developmental or physical handicaps," says an official with Durham Association For Respite Services. "Respite is a normal want," says Mary Wilson the services' Volunteer Coordinator.. Coordinator.. "It is completely natural natural and we all do it." The only exception is that for families who nave handicapped handicapped children, or adults living at home, respite is not only good for the families but also a good change for the children. "A break from our daily routines benefits everyone," said Ms Wilson. The families of the handicapped handicapped children get a break to do some simple things like catch up on sleep or take a vacation. The children or adults find that the time away from their families gives them a chance to explore new ideas, new people and new foods. • Countdown To Quitting Most health care facilities, schools and business across Durham Region are now fully "smoke-free", a dismaying prospect for employees who still smoke. In some instances, the decision to become an exsmoker exsmoker is no longer just a matter matter of personal choice. However, However, the actual process of giving up cigarettes is viewed with reluctance reluctance and considerable anxiety. anxiety. With this in mind, the Lung Association of Durham Region has scheduled its popular and successful stop-smoking Course, "COUNTDOWN" in numerous locations across the Region. The five week program will be available during the Fall and Winter in Oshawa, Ajax, Whitby, Uxbridge and Port Perry. Based on behavior modification modification techniques, Countdown currently has a 76% success rate. Classes are small, and all sessions are held in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere under under the direction of a trained Lung Association Course Leader. The Lung Association offers offers Countdown for a very moderate fee. This G.S.T. - exempt exempt Course will be offered at a special Fall discount. Credit card registration can be accepted. accepted. "It is a mini-vacation for them too, said Ms Wilson. And for the family providing providing the respite service, there's the chance of finding Mary Wilson, Volunteer Co-ordinator of Durham Association for Respite Services new ways of looking at things. "They also learn about themselves, too." Families who give respite care bring the child or adult into their families and homes. That person then becomes becomes involved as an extended extended member of the family. family. They, the child or adult, form a special bond, a special special relationship with the respite care giver, said Ms Wilson. Currently, there are 22 families in the Town of Newcastle Newcastle who are being provided provided with respite care. Five adults are being cared for as are 17 children. However, the association is looking for more volunteer families. - The services are provided by families who have been thoroughly screened by fam-. ily respite services. The screening process includes includes everyone connected with providing respite care, including family members and spouses. . There are police police checks and a Children's Aid Society check. In addition, addition, all potential family respite respite care givers must give three references. "We want to make sure that everything is copacet- . ic," said Ms Wilson. Anyone can become a respite respite care giver bv passing the numerous checks. "We judge potential people people solely on individual merits," merits," said Ms Wilson. The family which provides provides the care to the individuals individuals participates in "mutually "mutually agreed upon activities with the children or adults." That can translate into camping trips, concerts, going going to movies and even going for cross-border trips. Of course, everything must be approved by the parents of the child or adult. "The individual is treated as a member of the family," said Ms Wilson. Out-of-pocket expenses are paid for by Durham Family Respite Services. S k uals into their homes and hearts are special special people, said Ms Wilson. One of the families who have taken children and an adult into their family will be looked at next week. 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