THE HAFLINGER SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN
The Versatile Haflinger
"Once Seen Never Forgotten"

Breed Type

The Haflinger is bred as an all-round pleasure horse, suitable for riding and driving.
The desired appearance is that of an elegant and harmonious horse. It should have a noble, lean, and expressive head with large eyes, a well-formed neck, a sufficiently long and supple mid-section, a good croup not too divided and not too short, and distinct musculature. It should also have correct, defined limbs with good joints providing a straight action with good length of stride. Stallions and mares selected for breeding should have clearly defined masculine or feminine features.
Colours range from light chestnut to dark liver chestnut with a white or flaxen mane and tail. Dappling is acceptable, as are paler legs and underbody. Leg markings, excessive head markings, and roaning within the main body colour are not desirable. The required height is from 140cm to 150cm (13.3 – 14 3), and may be exceeded where the horse is a particularly good example of the breed.
The Haflinger’s temperament is friendly, uncomplicated and willing.

information sheets

haflingers in action

To see just how verstalie the Haflinger Horse is follow this link Haflingers In Action

HISTORY OF THE HAFLINGER HORSE

Almnebel Haflingers were first imported into Great Britain in the 1960s. They were the native horses from the Alpine farms of Austria and have a long history on the Continent. In the South Tyrol, where the breed originated, stallions have been registered for nearly one hundred years, and organised breeding by a government department has been in operation for more than fifty years.

The Haflinger breed was established by crossing the native Tyrolean pony with Arab blood brought back from the Continental Wars with the Turks - the result was a combination of native hardiness with spirit and elegance.

The Duchess of Devonshire, our patron, was one of the first to see the possibilities of the breed. Her Majesty the Queen is also an owner of Haflingers after being presented with two mares during a state visit to Austria.

The Haflinger Society of Great Britain, founded in 1970, modeled itself on the Austrian (Tyrolean) precepts regarding Haflinger breeding. The Society is still guided by Austria and linked through membership of the World Haflinger Federation, which unites most of the world's Haflinger Societies, setting overall standards and breeding aims

BREED STANDARD

HEAD Expressive, lean and noble with slight dish, large dark and lively eyes, fine nostrils and ears that are in proportion to the head. A stallion's head should be strong and masculine whereas that of the female should be lighter and more feminine. The connection to the neck should not be too thick.

NECK Reasonably long, light and well-positioned, set on sloping shoulders with good withers, suitable for a riding pony.. The neck should not be set too deeply on the body.

BODY Broad and deep chest, well tensed, but not straight, back, broad loins with good joints, a croup that is not too short, too steep nor exhibiting pronounced moulding and a well carried tail. Reasonably deep girth which should measure 65"-73",[165 - 185.4 cms]

LIMBS Clean and well positioned with hard, healthy hooves, strong forearms and a good second thigh, short cannons. Pasterns should be neither too short and steep nor too long and sloping.

PACES Stride should be long, free and elastic.

BONE Mares 6 1/2" - 7 3/4" (17-19.6cm) Stallions 7 1/4" - 8 1/2" (18.4 - 21.6cms)

HEIGHT - At 3 years minimum heights: Mares 13.3hh+ (140cms) Stallions 13.3 hh+ (140cms)

COLOUR Chestnut, light, middle, liver or red. Dappling is acceptable as are paler legs and under body. White hairs within the coat (roaning), are not encouraged.

MANE & TAIL White or Flaxen. Coloured hairs are not encouraged but will not necessarily bar registration

TEMPERAMENT Friendly, uncomplicated and willing