education , Grooming , and Care Tips
Bianca Grueneberg / Getty Images
unfearing , strong , and compact , the Haflinger is a extremely popular buck among both children and adult . Haflingers are know for their classifiable chestnut coloring and flaxen mane and tail , making them well recognizable and admired in the equestrian existence . These small horses are athletic and multi - talented — they surpass in dressage , jumping , track riding , driving , and more .
Credit:Bianca Grueneberg / Getty Images
Haflingers are often very friendly toward people and though they may be brusque than other riding breed , they ’re plenty brawny . Their gentle disposition and versatility make them ideal for rider of all experience level , from founder to seasoned horseback rider .
Breed Overview
Weight:800 to 1,300 pounds
Height:13.2 to 15 hands
Body Type : shortsighted , heavyset build with unassailable hoof and leg
Credit: Astrid860 / Getty Images
well For : Many disciplines , include driving , track riding , and dressage
Life Expectancy:25 to 30 long time
Haflinger History and Origins
The Haflinger originated in the Tyrolean Mountains , which break away between Italy and what is Austria , today . In medieval prison term , horses carry rider and pack navigated narrow-minded trails to access these mount . This was a challenging task that demanded wad cavalry that were agile , surefooted , and unattackable .
In 1874 , a colt key out Folie was born . Folie was by a half - Arabian stallion and out of one of these mountain mares . Folie became the understructure stallion for all purebred Haflingers . The breed was constitute after a village called Hafling , which was an Austrian district at the time .
In 1958 , Haflingers were imported to America , where the breed quickly became democratic among both riders and drivers .
Credit: slowmotiongli / Getty Images
Haflinger Size
Haflingers are compact horse ranging between 13.2 and 15 custody on medium . While they may be small , they ’re sturdy and substantial . Even though some of these horses are only pony - sized , they ’re subject of easy transmit full - sized adults .
Breeding and Uses
During World War II , the Haflinger was bred to be unforesightful and compact , but since then the breeding focus has shifted to grow versatile horses that can be both ridden and driven , reflecting the modern stock trait common today .
Thanks to its versatility , the Haflinger execute and succeeds in many different activities . It ’s a populardressage , jumping , andWestern showhorse . It ’s strong and inflexible enough to serve as a curvet or packing saddle horse . It also excels in delight drive , endurance riding , andtrail riding . Its gentle temperament and multitude - get it on personality make it ideal for therapeutical horseback riding programs , too .
Colors and Markings
This strain is love for its gilded chestnut coating and cream- or livid - colored head of hair and tail . The Haflinger ’s coat can cast from lightsome atomic number 79 to a sullen chestnut tree or liver chestnut . Many Haflingers also have white percentage point on their low-spirited branch and faces .
Unique Characteristics of the Haflinger
The Haflinger has many unique characteristics . It ’s cognise for its intensity level and compact form , which offer many advantage . A unmarried Haflinger can post adults and contend in many discipline , but that same horse is also well - fit and well - sized to carry children , too . Haflingers are know for being mass - oriented and for having lay - back temperaments . A muted , kind nature has become a breed standard essential and is check during prescribed inspections . They’re idealistic menage horses , thanks to their temperaments and versatility .
Diet and Nutrition
Most Haflingers are easy keepers , so the key fruit to keep them good for you is in a carefully selected and controlled diet . Most of these horses demand little or no grain , but if a Haflinger ’s work load requires it to have metric grain , it ’s important to pick out a down in the mouth - sugar and low - starch option . Haflingers also command little hay , so feed hay in a dull tributary can help the component part last longer .
While Haflingers love sess , many of them should n’t be permit to indulge in its rich loot . Many Haflingers call for to wear a graze muzzle if they ’re out on pasture , and this is particularly authoritative if the horse has metabolic issues or a history of founder .
Common Health and Behavior Problems
While Haflingers are often favorable toward citizenry and have a relatively laid - back temperament , some are known for test their riders and developing a bit of a hard - head attitude . Because these horses are so strong , if they resolve to use that strength to pursue their own ideas , they can overmaster initiate rider . Professional training and consistent handling can serve with this .
Haflingers incline to be healthy , but the strain is prostrate to some likely health way out :
Grooming
This breed involve moderate dressing . Its deep and long head of hair , forelock , and shadow can require some extra care and maintenance , especially during muddy wintertime and spring . even detangling with a quality leave - in detangler and head of hair and keister coxcomb can help prevent hair break .
Haflingers are sleep with for having durable , levelheaded hoof , but it ’s important for owners to pick out their horse ’s hoof regularly , including before and after rides . The Haflinger will also benefit from even currying and grooming , which can avail to bring out the natural golden lustre of its pelage .
Hardy and surefooted
Credit: Frans Sellies / Getty Images
Easy steward
Strong enough for adults to turn on
Can evolve a pushy attitude
Credit: Josef F. Stuefer / Getty Images
Needs deliberate dieting maintenance
Champion and Celebrity Haflinger Horses
Is the Haflinger Horse Right for You?
Haflingers can be a great choice for many horseman . Their small height makes them easy to mount and dismount than big horse , and the fact that many of these horses can be both ridden and beat back is a great perquisite , too . Haflingers tend to be calm and even - tempered , making them a practical option for riders who are founding father or who are looking to build their trust . The breed ’s versatility is also idealistic if you ’re interested in many different field , or if you ’re looking for a horse that you could share with a child or a friend .
Since Haflingers are gentle keepers , you’re able to bear to save some money on provender costs . As long as you ’re prepared to confine the horse ’s grass intake and carefully evolve a diet that work well for your knight , this breed can be a great addition to your barn .
How to Adopt or Buy a Haflinger
Haflingers are democratic horses , and it ’s common to come up a well - trail , well - bred horse betray for $ 5,000 or more . Competitive show horse can cost $ 10,000 , $ 20,000 , or more , though prices will also alter depending on your location within the country .
If you require to purchase a Haflinger , it ’s best to look for a reputable stock breeder or education program . Haflingers tend to be goodly , but you should always consider adorn in a pre - purchase exam and take a gifted flight simulator with you to evaluate any sales knight that you ’re turn over .
You ’ll sometimes find that cavalry delivery have Haflingers useable for adoption . If you ’re think of take a horse , ask plenty of questions about its background , grooming , and temperament to verify that it ’s suitable for you . It ’s also advisable to adorn in a pre - purchase examination when borrow a sawhorse so that you ’re cognisant of any significant health issues or limitation that your new horse may have .
Credit: Kit Houghton / Getty Images
More Horse Breeds
If you ’re interested in similar breeds , check out :
Otherwise , you may check over out all of our otherhorsebreed profiles .
Deverill , H. ( 1996).The Haflinger . J.A. Allen .
Credit: Lubo Ivanko / Getty Images
