History of the Haflinger horse also known as Avelignese

The Haflinger horse is an indigenous mountain horse who has been traced to medieval times in southern Tyrolean known today as Austria and Northern Italy. Because they were a mountain horse they are surefooted and hardy. In 1874 the 1st documented Haflinger horse was recorded. His name was 249 Folie and was born from a half-Arab stallion 133 El’ Bedavi XXII crossed with a refined native Tyrolean mare. All modern purebred Haflingers must trace their ancestry directly to Folie through seven different stallion lines: A, B, M, N, S, ST, and W.

War Horse

During the World War II  inbreeding practices bred shorter draftier horses. They were used as pack horses for the military. After the war the Haflinger horse was almost lost due to being crossed with other breeds. In 1946 breeders were breeding purebred Haflingers and bred back the Haflinger horse to its original height.

Characteristics 

  • Height- 13.2 and 15.0 hands (54 and 60 inches, 137 and 152 cm)
  • Weight- 800- 1300 pounds
  • Color- Golden Chestnut- Chocolate with a white or Flaxen mane and tail
  • Life Span- up to 40 years!

Interesting Facts

The first horse to be cloned was a Haflinger filly on May 28, 2003. Her name is Prometea. 

Haflinger horses have a special brand. They are traditionally firebrand with an alpine flower, edelweiss with an H in the center. Haflinger horses from Austria and from South Tyrol have the letter "H" in the center of the brand. Haflinger horses from other areas of Italy have the letters “HI”. 

What can you do with a Haflinger?

The Haflinger horse is a great pleasure riding horse and driving pony. It is strong enough to do agricultural work and a good size to be used as a pack pony. 

Today they are used in leisure riding, western and trail and endurance riding, jumping, and therapeutic riding. They are very willing and forgiving due to their long history of living and working with mountain peasants. They were part of the family.