Breed Profile – The Haflinger

Breed Profile - The Haflinger

As a long-time hunter rider, I all the time appeared for the large horse to experience. However as I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered that it is a lengthy strategy to each mount and dismount a 16.2 Thoroughbred and puzzled if a smaller horse may be simpler on my knees. Plus, I needed to strive different equestrian sports activities, together with driving. I appeared round for a horse to satisfy my older wants and got here throughout the Haflinger. Haflingers had been bred to be versatile sufficient for a lot of under-saddle disciplines, together with endurance driving, dressage, equestrian vaulting and therapeutic driving, however nonetheless strong sufficient for draft and driving work. The Haflinger was initially developed to work within the mountainous areas of its fatherland, the place it was used as a pack-horse and for forestry and agricultural work. The historical past of the Haflinger horse traces to the Center Ages. The origins of the breed are unsure, however there one idea is that Haflingers descend from horses deserted within the Tyrolean valleys in central Europe by East Goths fleeing from Byzantine troops in 555 AD. These deserted horses are believed to have been influenced by Oriental bloodlines which can assist clarify the Arabian bodily traits seen within the Haflinger. Haflingers are all the time chestnut in colour, and are available in shades starting from a lightweight gold to a wealthy golden chestnut or liver colour. The mane and tail are white or flaxen. The peak of immediately’s Haflinger has elevated from 13hh to between 13.2 and 15hh. The primary official documentation of the current day Haflinger (named for the Tyrolean village of Hafling) was in 1874 when the inspiration stallion 249 Folie was born of the half-Arabian stallion 133 El’ Bedavi XXII crossed with a refined native Tyrolean mare. All fashionable purebred Haflingers should hint their ancestry on to Folie via seven totally different stallion strains: A, B, M, N, S, ST, and W. The pinnacle of the Haflinger is refined, with the neck is of medium size, the withers pronounced, the shoulders sloping, and the chest deep. The again is medium-long and muscular, the croup is lengthy, barely sloping and well-muscled. The legs are clear, with broad, flat knees and highly effective hocks. The Haflinger has rhythmic, ground-covering gaits. The stroll is relaxed however energetic. The trot and canter are elastic, energetic, and athletic with a pure tendency to be gentle on the forehand and balanced. There may be some knee motion, and the canter has a really distinct movement forwards and upwards. An necessary consideration in breeding and what makes the Haflinger a great horse is its temperament. A requirement for a quiet, sort nature has turn into a part of the official breed normal and that is a part of any breed inspection. The Haflinger can also be acknowledged all over the world for an additional cause. On Could 28, 2003, a Haflinger filly named Prometea grew to become the primary horse clone born. However for recurrently born Haflinger, registration is completed via the American Haflinger Registry (http://www.haflingerhorse.com). There are various guidelines for registering and breeding your Haflinger, in addition to suggestions for purchasing your first Haflinger. If you’re in search of a horse that’s secure, versatile, clever, athletic and lengthy lived, the Haflinger is a good alternative.

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