Haflinger
Haflinger Horse Breed Profile
| Height | 13.5-15.2 hands (54-61 inches; 138-155 cm) |
| Body | Small, robust, compact, massive, muscular |
| Head | Small, short; big eyes |
| Neck | Sturdy |
| Colors | Chestnut; bright mane, bright tail |
| Temperament | Friendly, hard-working, well-tempered, uncomplicated |
| Gait | Rhythmical, relaxed, powerful, athletic |
| Type | Pony |
| Origin | Austria, Italy |
| Bred since | 1874 |
| Suited for | Leisure, dressage, endurance, show jumping, sports, agriculture |
The Beginner’s Horse
The sweet-tempered, versatile and robust Haflinger is a mountain horse that is sure-footed even in rough terrain. Its friendly character has regularly made one of the top 10 of the most popular horse breeds. Its appearance also fascinates many horse fans: When galloping over the meadows, the Haflinger’s silken, soft and bright mane sways in the wind and the chestnut-colored coat shines in the sun quite fantastically.
Strong-Nerved
In the mountains it is not a good idea to escape head over heels when facing any danger. The narrow paths are much too dangerous. Therefore, Haflingers have learned to keep calm and strong-nerved, and this makes them specifically popular with riding beginners. Almost nothing gets them worked up, and their character is always friendly and balanced.
They Developed from Farm to Leisure Horses
The Haflinger’s home originally were the South Tyrolean Alps and the farmers appreciated the resilient work horse. Today it is mainly a leisure horse.
International Championship in Germany
The Haflinger has its own competition: the International Haflinger Championship which has been initiated in May 2014 in Gunzenhausen (Middle Franconia). Dressage, driving, jumping or versatility – this is the place for the horses to show their abilities.
Where Does The Name Come From?
The name Haflinger comes from the village of Hafling in South Tyrol (Italy) – a small and placid community of about 800 citizens near Merano and Bolzano. Sometimes, Haflingers are also called Avalengneser, which derives from the Italian name of the village of Hafling.
Fun Facts
Depending on the gender, the name of a Haflinger foal always contains the first letter of its mother’s or father’s name.
The world’s first cloned horse was born 2003 in Cremona (Italy. It was a Haflinger mare called Prometea.
