Haflinger (horse)

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Haflinger
Haflinger in motion
Distinguishing features:	Small horse, sturdy build, chestnut coloring
Alternative names:	Avelignese
Country of origin:	Austria, Italy
Breed standards
American Haflinger Registry:	Stds
The Haflinger Society of Great Britain:	Stds

The Haflinger, also known as the Avelignese, is a breed of horse developed in Austria and northern Italy during the late 1800s. There are several theories as to this breed's origin, but its current conformation and appearance are the result of infusions of Arabian and various European breeds' blood into the original native Tyrolean ponies. Haflinger horses are relatively small, are always chestnut in color, and have distinctive gaits described as energetic but smooth. The breed is well-muscled, but with an elegant appearance. Haflingers have many uses, including light draft and harness work as well as various under-saddle disciplines such as endurance riding, dressage, equestrian vaulting and therapeutic riding programs. The World Haflinger Federation (WHF) is the international governing body that controls breed standards for the Haflinger. The WHF is made up of a confederation of 22 national registries, and helps to set breeding objectives, guidelines and rules for its member organizations.

Contents 1 History 2 Breed characteristics 3 Uses 4 Breed organizations 5 Notes 6 References 7 External links

[edit] History

The history of Haflinger horses traces to the Middle Ages, but precise origins of the breed are unknown. There are two main theories: the first is that they descend from horses abandoned in the Tyrolese valleys in central Europe by East Goths fleeing from Byzantine troops after the fall of Conza in 555 AD. These abandoned horses are believed to have been influenced by Oriental bloodlines, and may help explain the high percentage of Arabian blood seen in the Haflinger. The second theory is that they descended from a stallion from the Kingdom of Burgundy sent to Margrave Louis of Brandenburg by his father Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor when the Margrave married Princess Margarete Maultasch of the Tyrol in 1342.^[1] There is also a theory that they are descendants of the prehistoric Forest Horse. They also have close connections to the Noriker due to overlapping geographic areas where the two breeds were developed.^[2] Regardless of precise origins, the breed developed in a mountainous climate and was well acclimated to thrive in harsh conditions with minimal maintenance.^[3]

The breed as it is known today was officially established in the village of Hafling in the Etschlander Mountains.^[4] The Arabian influence was strongly reinforced in the modern Haflinger by the introduction of the stallion El Bedavi,^[1] imported to Austria in the 19th century. El-Bedavi's half-Arabian great-grandson, El-Bedavi XXII, was bred at the Austro-Hungarian stud at Radautz,^[4] and was the sire of the breed's foundation stallion, 249 Folie, born in 1874 at Val Venosta.^[1] Folie's dam was a native Tyrolean mare of refined type. All Haflingers today must trace their ancestry to Folie through one of seven stallion lines (A, B, M, N, S, ST, and W) to be considered a purebred.^[5] The small original gene pool and the mountain environment in which most of the original members of the breed were raised has resulted in a very fixed physical type and appearance.^[4]

After World War I, when the Treaty of Saint Germain resulted in South Tyrol (including Hafling) being annexed by Italy,^[6] the breed was reorganized in the Austrian Tyrol and kept alive through crosses to the Hucul, Bosnian, Konik and Noriker breeds.^[4] During World War II, Haflingers were bred to produce horses that were shorter and more draft-like for use as packhorses by the military. After the war, breeding emphasis changed to promote refinement and height. Haflingers were bred to be versatile enough for many under-saddle disciplines, but still solid enough for draft and driving work.^[5] Haflingers were used by the Indian Army in an attempt to breed pack animals for mountainous terrain, but the program was unsuccessful due to the Haflinger's inability to withstand the desert heat.^[7] Though in the years after World War II, it was feared that the breed was dying out due to indiscriminate crossing with other breeds,^[8] by 2003 there were almost 250,000 Haflingers in the world.^[9]

The first Haflingers were imported to the United States from Austria in 1958 by Tempel Smith of Tempel Farms in Illinois^[10] and the first Canadian Haflinger was registered in 1977.^[11] They were imported into Great Britain in the 1960s,^[12] into Australia in 1974, ^[13] and also into Japan.^[3] Although the modern Haflinger is now found all over the world, the majority of breeding stock still comes from Austria, where state studs own the stallions and carefully maintain the quality of the breed.^[14] However, there are breeding farms located in the United States, Canada, Germany, Holland, and England.^[10]

[edit] Breed characteristics

Haflingers are always chestnut in color,^[14] and come in shades ranging from a light gold to a rich golden chestnut or liver hue. The mane and tail are white or flaxen.^[15] The height of the breed has increased since the end of World War II, when they stood an average of 13.3 hands (55 inches (140 cm)).^[8] The desired height today is between 13.2 to 15 hands high (54 to 60 inches (140 to 150 cm)). Breeders are discouraged from breeding horses under the minimum size, but taller individuals may pass inspection if they otherwise meet the requirements of the breed registry. The breed has a refined head and light poll. The neck is of medium length, the withers are pronounced, the shoulders sloping, and the chest deep. The back is medium long and muscular, the croup is long, slightly sloping and well-muscled. The legs are clean, with broad, flat knees and powerful hocks, with clear definition of tendons and ligaments.^[15]

The Haflinger has rhythmic gaits that cover large amounts of ground. The walk is relaxed but energetic. The trot and canter are elastic, energetic, and athletic with a natural tendency to be off the forehand and balanced. There is some knee action, and the canter has a very distinct motion forwards and upwards.^[14]

Haflingers from Austria and Italy are branded with a firebrand in the shape of an eidelweiss. Horses from Austria have the letter "H" in the center of the brand, while horses from Italy have the letters "HI".^[1] The name "Haflinger" comes from the village of Hafling, which today is in northern Italy.^[10] The breed is also called the Avelignese, from the Italian word for Hafling, which is Aveligna or Avelengo.^[6]

[edit] Uses

The Haflinger was originally developed to work in the mountainous regions of its native land, where it was used as a mountain pack horse and for forestry and agricultural work.^[7] Today the breed is used in many activities that include draft and pack work, light harness and combined driving, and many under-saddle events, including western-style horse show classes, trail and endurance riding, dressage, show jumping, vaulting, and therapeutic riding programs. They are used extensively as dressage horses for children, but are also tall and sturdy enough to be suitable as riding horses for adults.^[14] There are several national shows for Haflingers worldwide, including those in Germany, Great Britain and the United States.^[3][16][17]

[edit] Breed organizations

Breed organizations exist in many countries to provide accurate documentation of Haflinger pedigrees and ownership, and also to promote the Haflinger breed. Most are linked to each other through membership in the World Haflinger Federation (WHF). The WHF establishes international breeding guidelines, objectives and rules for studbook selection and performance tests. They also authorize European and World Shows and compile an annual list of Haflinger experts, or adjudicators. The WHF is the international umbrella organization, with 22 member organization in 18 countries. Membership organizations include the Haflinger Horse Society of Australia, the Australian Haflinger Horse Breeders Association, the Canadian Haflinger Association, the Haflinger Pferdezuchtverband Tirol (Tyrolean Haflinger Breeding Association) and the American Haflinger Registry, as well as a division for breeders in countries that are not already members.^[18]

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Tyrolean Haflinger Breeding Association
• American Haflinger Registry
• Haflinger Society of Great Britain
• Canadian Haflinger Association
• Australian Haflinger Horse Breeders Association
• Haflinger Horse Association New Zealand
• Collaboration of Haflinger Breeders and Holders of Germany (AGH)

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