The history of the Haflinger horse can be traced to the late Middle Ages when writings told of an Oriental race of horse found in the southern Tyrolean Mountains of today's Austria and Northern Italy. Many of the villages and farms in the Tyrol were accessible only by narrow paths requiring agile surefooted horses for transportation and packing.  Farm fields were small and steep, making heavy draft horses impractical.

The first official documentation of the present day Haflinger, named for the Tyrolean village of Hafling, was in 1874 when the foundation stallion 249 Folie was born of a refined native Tyrolean mare bred with the stallion, El'Bedavi XXII, who was half Arabian.  It was quickly recognized that this horse represented the best marriage of the strength, agility and gentle nature of the native horse with the intelligence and beauty of the Arabian.  All modern purebred Haflingers must trace their ancestry directly to Folie through seven different stallion lines.

Haflingers are being discovered by the horse loving public all over the world who want an equine companion that is safe, versatile, dependable and beautiful.  They are working and performing in farming, packing, pleasure and competitive driving, western riding, reining, and trail riding, endurance riding, dressage and jumping, vaulting, and therapeutic riding. Haflingers hold their own in competition with other breeds, showing surprising athleticism and strength for their size. The Haflinger horse captures hearts and enriches lives as it has for centuries.

The Haflinger is a small horse that is useful for both riding and driving. The Haflinger breed standard calls for an attractive, sturdy and competitive horse between 13.2 and 15 hands. Haflingers have a strong constitution, solid conformation with substantial bone and an uncomplicated personality.

As a family horse, the Haflinger is gentle enough to be handled and ridden by a child, but sturdy and athletic to be used as a pleasure or competition horse for an adult. They are easy to train and love to be around people. In California, Haflinger fans get together several times a year at play days, barbecues and other fun events to enjoy their horses and each others company. If you are interested in finding out more about these wonderful horses contact us mike@rollingponyranch.com or sharon@rollingponyranch.com or by phone at 209-848-2507.

[Home] [About Us] [History] [Noblest of All] [Our Mares] [Foals] [For Sale] [Training] [Contact Us]