Noriker Peter
A carriage horse for years and now retired
The great Noriker Peter retired at the age of 14. For many years, he was used as a carriage horse. Peter pulled the carriage for numerous wedding couples and was also a proud presence at pageants.
The owner gave him to Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf with one eye crying and one eye laughing. Crying because he has a particularly good relationship with his horses and laughing because he knew Peter would be fine. Two years ago, his Vera, a Noriker mare, had to stop driving carriages because of arthrosis. She is doing well and lives happily with many other horses in the old people's stable at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf.
A hoof injury caused the end of the career as a carriage horse
A few months ago, Peter suffered a hoof injury. Several examinations by the vet followed and the diagnosis was devastating: Peter could no longer be harnessed to the carriage.
Vera, a former "colleague" is looking forward to meeting Peter
The same horse owner who can now bring Peter to Gut Aiderbichl brought Vera, also a former carriage horse, in 2019.
The story about Vera was heartbreakingly sad. She was only 12 years old and faithfully pulled the carriage for him at weddings and other festivities. He didn't have to do much, she knew and sensed what the man at the driver's seat wanted from her.
Unfortunately, the vet diagnosed arthrosis and Vera could no longer be harnessed. Immensely sad and with a tearful voice, the man who loves his Vera more than anything said goodbye to his faithful carriage horse. He does not forget her. Vera is regularly visited by her former owner and both are "beaming".
Peter has been part of our family since the 2nd of July 2021
He has settled in well and lives at Köllersberger Hof, one of the outlying farms in Henndorf. The horses living there are looked after by one of the dearest horse mamas in the world: Edith. She knows all the charges inside out and Peter immediately found a place in her heart.
"Here I don't pull carriages anymore. I'm 14 years old and unfortunately I got a hoof injury. Here I can just be a horse and have lots of exercise on the huge pastures. The hoof injury is getting better and Edith always keeps an eye on me!".
Peter is to be integrated into a Noriker group at Köllersperger Hof. As a "newcomer" he is elegantly reserved.
"We horses also have a hierarchy. I am the newcomer and don't want to upset my group. Safety first. When I drove a wedding couple in a carriage, I also knew: don't go too fast around the bend - always be careful!".
Edith tells us that Peter is very popular with the horse "girls". A Noriker really looks the part.
"I like one very much, Bella, a Romanian cold-blood. But I hold back a lot, because I don't want to upset my new Noriker friends. If I make pretty eyes at Bella, one of them comes right over and looks a bit sharp. Good things take time. Don't stress, I can wait!".
Peter's former owner still takes very touching care of his Noriker and visits him regularly. "Peter, my Peter. How are you?...". Peter answers and moves his lower lip very strongly back and forth as if he wants to say: "Thank you, I've had a good time here. I'm also glad that you've come to visit me!
Every few weeks, the farrier comes and takes a close look at the injured hoof. Peter is a patient and good-natured patient, because he knows that everyone only wants the best for him.
We wish Peter all the best in the new group and many more pleasant years at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf at Köllersberger Hof with Edith.
