Last Updated on March 11, 2022
The Haflinger is not only beautiful with its golden coat, the Haflinger horse temperament is one of the nicest of all breeds. The breed is suitable for equestrians of all levels. Let’s get to know this wonderful horse breed.
What Is A Haflinger Horse? History Of The Haflinger
The Haflinger comes from the mountainous region of Tyrol, an area that covers parts of Austria and Northern Italy. The history of the breed traces back to the middle ages with uncertain origins. One theory is that the Haflinger has some Arabian influence due to the fine features of the breed.
The Haflinger became an official breed in 1874 when the foundation stallion, 249 Folie, was born. 249 Folie was the son of a native Tyrol mare and the half Arabian stallion, 133 El’ Bedavi XXII. From 249 Folie, seven different Haflinger stallion lines developed, from which every Halinger in history descends.
During World War II, surefooted, agile pack horses were in demand, which altered the breeding of the Haflinger. In the World War II years, the Haflinger was stockier, and more like a small draft horse. However, the Haflinger is a warmblood horse with no cold blood horses, such as the draft in its genetic history.
After the war, the breeding of the Haflinger shifted again, back to focusing on height, refinement, versatility, and temperament.
Haflinger Temperament
The Haflinger has a reputation for a wonderful temperament. The breed has an extremely kind and gentle nature. It is also calm, which means it does not get over-excited, or spook easily. This kind nature and calmness also make the Haflinger a suit horse for equestrians of all ages and levels.
While the Halflinger is a calm breed, it is not a dull horse. These horses are curious, friendly, and ready to take part in a variety of activities. It is also a highly intelligent breed, which has its benefits and cons. The Haflinger’s intelligence means that it learns new skills quickly, even skills you may not want it to learn, such as opening a gate!
Because of this intelligence, novice Haflinger owners do need to take precautions. The breed will quickly learn how to get away with unacceptable behavior. So if you do decide to buy a Haflinger as a novice horse owner, always enlist the help of a professional to keep your horse from developing problems.
Haflinger Gentleness
Even though the Haflinger is one of the most gentle breeds, it is important to remember that it is still a horse. Do not take this for granted and forget that every horse has the potential to kick, buck, bite, or bolt. These horses still need correct training with respect, even if they appear more tolerant of mistakes.
You still must build trust with your relationship and allow the horse to grow in confidence. The Haflinger’s tolerance also means that owners need extra vigilance when looking for signs of pain. The breed is stoic and less likely to express it is in pain than some other breeds.
The Friendly Haflinger
The Haflinger is a very friendly horse. We must not allow this to get out of hand. The want, the breed has to spend time in your space can lead to pushiness. Too many treats, especially, can encourage a Haflinger to invade your space to the point where it becomes dangerous.
Always teach your Haflinger good ground manners. If you have mutual respect for each other’s space, you will enjoy a wonderful bond.
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Haflinger Characteristics
All Haflinger horses are chestnut, ranging from a light golden color to a dark chocolate tone. They have beautiful flaxen-colored manes. Even though the breed is a draft horse, it is small, falling within the height range of a pony.
Most Haflingers stand between 13.2 and 14.3 hands tall. The breed is well-muscled, with a pretty head and large, expressive eyes. The gaits of the Haflinger are active, smooth, and show athleticism. The ideal Haflinger has some, but not a lot of knee action.
Great video about the Haflinger breed characteristics.
Haflinger Uses
The Haflinger suits a variety of equestrian uses. Early in its development, the Haflinger worked on the steep mountain farms of the Tyrol. It was able to navigate narrow paths safely to carry food from the farms to distant villages.
Today, this farm work is for the breed is in little demand. As a result, the Haflinger was refined as a riding and driving horse. The temperament of the breed made this adjustment easy for the Haflinger.
Conclusion
The Haflinger horse temperament is one of the best amongst all horse breeds. It is a sturdy, good-looking horse that has reached all corners of the globe. They take part in trekking, jumping, dressage, combined driving, and therapeutic programs.
If you have any questions about the Haflinger let us know in the comments below.
Are Haflinger horses good for kids?
A Haflinger horse is an excellent companion and they make a great family pet. They are a great choice for children and kids normally love to spend time with them. Haflingers are among the most popular horse breeds in the equine world due to their easy-going personality and calm nature. They are known to be extremely friendly, gentle, quiet, tolerant, willing to learn, and easy to train. It is a breed that will listen to your commands with relative ease, even if you are a beginner rider.
Are Haflinger horses gaited?
Haflingers have their own distinctive, rhythmic, and unique gait. Their movements are both, energetic and smooth and they can do large distances. They walk in a relaxed manner, and they have balanced and athletic trot and canter. Haflinger horses usually have a very high level of endurance and stamina. They have good speed and can perform well at the dressage competition.
How much do Haflinger horses cost?
Haflingers are one of the few breeds that are still developed in Europe. The breed is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, and Hungary. The cost of a Haflinger horse will vary depending on the horse’s age, quality, and breeding. Some horses will cost less than $3,000, while others can cost up to $10,000. The average cost of a Haflinger horse is $5,000-$7,000.
Do Haflinger horses make good riding horses?
Haflingers are bred to provide a great experience for riders of all levels. They are often used in dressage, show jumping and eventing. Haflings make an excellent choice as a horse that both adults and children can enjoy. These horses have a good disposition and a nice personality. They are easy to ride and have great movement. They are very often used as a therapeutic horses due to their calm temperament and patience.
Are Haflingers smart?
Haflinger horses are known for their intelligence which makes them easy to train and work with. Their ability to think and understand is also what makes them great dressage horses. They are the perfect companion horse for a rider who enjoys spending time in the saddle, as they are not as stubborn as other breeds. Haflingers are calm and gentle, but are also very smart. They are known for being very intelligent and understanding, which makes them ideal for training and showing.
What breeds make up a Haflinger?
Haflingers are strong, hardy and intelligent animals. They have a calm temperament and are known for being very easy-going. They were developed to be used in difficult, mountainous terrain in the cold weather. Current conformation and appearance of the Haflinger horses is a result of crossbreeding and mixing of bloodlines from Arabian and various European breeds, including native Tyrolean ponies. The origin of the Haflinger horse can be traced back to the late 19th century in the Tyrol, Austria. The breed was created by crossing a pony with an Arab, which was done for better resistance to harsh weather conditions.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.
