Haflinger Breed
With its chestnut coat and flaxen mane, the Haflinger is a beautiful, strong, willing and versatile horse with a temperament that can warm the heart of young and old, making it an excellent choice as a family horse.
Derived originally from the introduction of an Arabian stallion to a mountain mare, this breed has developed over two centuries to become a tough and athletic competitor in all equestrian disciplines, whether it be in pleasure, performance or combined driving events. Tudor Oaks Farm has focused on the development of the “modern” Haflinger, which ranges in size from 13.2 to 15 hands, and has a sound, athletic conformation suitable for all types of riding, jumping and driving. The Haflinger is quickly gaining popularity as its desirable qualities are becoming more recognized.
The Haflinger's history begins in Tyrol , Austria , where for centuries, a line of rugged, surefooted mountain horses were bred in southern Tyrol . They worked as general riding horses, light draft and harness horses as well as pack animals. Because of the difficult and mountainous terrain, residents preferred these lighter and smaller horses for various tasks.
In 1874, in the village of Hafling , Austria , "249 Folie", the first registered Haflinger was born, sired by a royal Arabian stallion and out of a refined native Tyrolean mare. All purebred Haflingers trace their lineage to this stallion. "Folie" inherited his mother's strength, disposition and stamina and the refined, elegant grace and bone structure of his father, enhancing this standard mountain horse's appearance and expanding its role to a pleasure horse.
A year later, an influential count persuaded officials from the Austrian Imperial Ministry of Agriculture to establish an objective Haflinger breeding program. From this time on, stallions were selected for breeding and were registered in consecutive order.
In 1909, the signing of the Treaty of St. Germain relinquished the Southern part of Tyrol , Austria , home of the Haflinger, to Italy , which retained control of Haflinger breeding. This division of Austria caused the separation of the Haflinger breeding region, with the majority of broodmares being in South Tyrol within Italy 's borders, while the breeding quality stallions remained in North Tyrol in Austria .
In the late 1920's, an agreement was worked out between the two regions to maintain the original Haflinger breeding patterns established before the war. However, war would again wreak havoc with the Haflinger breed, nearly destroying it. World War II and the demand for pack animals by the military brought great setbacks for breeders.
The horses were again recognized for their talents as sure footed mountain pack horses, and hundreds were confiscated by the military and sent into battle in the Alps . Many horses died, and no regard was given to the breeding patterns that kept the bloodline alive. Mares were being crossbred, and some breeders were importing mares that did not meet the standard, being shorter and stouter, which brought a severe decline in quality.
After the war, the Austrian government resumed its role as caretaker of the breed. Three stallions were acquired with different standards, thus forming an A-line, B-line and M-line. These lines were named after the first letter of each particular stallion's name (today there are 7 stallion lines) and stringent breeding guidelines were again put into force. Mares and geldings belonged and still do, to private owners, while stallions are owned by the state.
Stud services are thus available to the privately owned mares solely through the government. Because the stallion's standards are so high, few colts achieve stallion status. Approved stallions must pass rigorous tests for physical soundness, conformation and temperament, which have kept the bloodline so pure to date. Rarely has another horse been so selectively bred for performance and disposition over so many generations.
In 1958, the first Haflingers were imported to the U.S. as part of a breeding program in Illinois . Others soon followed and today there are numerous importers and breeders throughout the U.S. and Canada.
