Haflinger

The Haflinger is a small, compact horse that was developed in the hill country of the Tyrol, straddling Austria and northern Italy. Every Haflinger is chestnut. The body may be anything from a light golden shade to a deep liver, and the mane and tail are always pale flaxen. Because the colouring is fixed, the breed is recognised at a glance.

In height the Haflinger falls between roughly 13.2 and 15 hands, so it sits at the top end of pony size and the bottom end of horse size. The frame is nonetheless well muscled, and the horse carries an adult rider or pulls a cart without difficulty. That build comes from generations of work on steep mountain tracks, where a sure foot and staying power counted for more than pace.

Temperament is the other point the breed is known for: quiet, friendly and willing. Haflingers do dressage, hacking, driving, vaulting and light farm work, and riding schools and therapy centres keep them for their steady manner.

Who the Haflinger suits

This is a horse for the owner who wants one animal to do several jobs. The quiet nature and handy size suit first-time owners, younger riders and families, and experienced riders keep Haflingers for driving and competitive dressage as well. Since the working life is long, a well-looked-after Haflinger is still useful well into its twenties.

The breed is named after the village of Hafling in the South Tyrol, which belonged to Austria-Hungary at the time and lies in northern Italy today. Horses of this stamp had worked the steep alpine valleys for generations, carrying goods and people along narrow mountain paths where a larger horse could not manage.

The Haflinger as it is known today goes back to one foundation stallion, 249 Folie, foaled in 1874. Folie came from a cross between a local Tyrolean mare and a half-Arab stallion, and every Haflinger alive today descends from him through seven recognised stallion lines.

Proper stud records and organised selection started in the early twentieth century. The Arab blood still shows in the fine head and free movement; the mountain stock gave the breed its bone, hardiness and level temperament.

Over the twentieth century the Haflinger moved out from the Alps, first across Austria and Italy, then to Germany, the United Kingdom, North America and elsewhere. Breeding stayed tightly controlled throughout so that the chestnut coat, the flaxen mane and tail and the calm working nature were kept intact.

The Haflinger is a balanced, compact horse with a deep chest, a sloping shoulder and a strong back. The head is fine and often slightly dished, a reminder of the Arab ancestor, and it sits on a nicely arched neck. The legs are short for the size of the body, but the bone is good and the hooves are hard, as one would expect of a horse bred for stony ground.

The movement is free and springy, with a particularly active walk and a trot that covers ground. Taken together, this is a small horse built for stamina and pulling power rather than for height or speed.

Coat and colours

Colour is the one thing that never varies. The body may be a pale, palomino-like gold, a bright chestnut or a dark liver chestnut that is nearly brown, but the mane and tail are always pale, anywhere from white to light flaxen. The breed rules keep white markings to a minimum: small face markings pass, while large white patches and white on the leg above the knee or hock are penalised. The mane and tail are generally long and thick.

The Haflinger is known for a level, willing temperament. Most are friendly with people, put up with handling well and are slow to take fright, which is why riding schools, therapy programmes and family yards favour the breed. With strangers a Haflinger is usually inquisitive and accepting rather than nervy.

Among other horses it is sociable and settles into a herd without trouble. Haflingers are clever, and that confidence can tip over into having opinions of their own, so consistent handling matters. One that is bored or under-worked may push the limits, but the breed responds well to a clear and fair routine. Energy is moderate. There is enough stamina for a full day's work, yet the horse stays manageable for a less experienced rider.

The Haflinger is a hardy horse that copes with cold and changeable weather, a legacy of its alpine origins. Routine care is simple enough, but the breed puts on weight very easily, so checking body condition has to be a regular part of the routine.

Grooming

• Brush the body a few times a week to lift dust and loose hair, and more often during the spring and autumn coat change.
• Comb through the long mane and tail regularly so they do not knot, using a detangler where needed.
• Pick out the hooves every day and look for stones, cracks or any sign of thrush.
• Bathe only when there is a reason to; frequent washing strips the natural oils from the coat.

Exercise

• Give the horse daily turnout in a paddock or on pasture so it can move freely.
• Ride or drive it several times a week to keep it fit and stop it getting bored.
• Mix up the work between riding, driving and groundwork so the horse stays interested.
• After a lay-off, bring the workload back up gradually.

Environment

Haflingers do best with access to shelter and grazing rather than being kept shut in a stable. They tolerate cold well, but through the Indian summer and the humid monsoon months they must have shade and fresh water within reach. Because they hold weight so easily, time on lush grass may have to be limited with a grazing muzzle or by restricting turnout hours.

The Haflinger is what horsemen call an easy keeper: it holds its weight on comparatively little feed. The diet should be built on good-quality fodder, whether grazing or hay. A great many Haflingers need nothing beyond fodder and a vitamin and mineral balancer, and grain is usually unnecessary unless the horse is in hard work or a mare is heavily in foal. Overfeeding causes far more trouble in this breed than underfeeding.

Treats and supplements

A small piece of carrot or apple now and then is fine, keeping in mind how readily the breed gains weight. Salt should be on offer at all times. A Haflinger on good fodder rarely needs more than a balancer to cover any shortfall in vitamins and minerals. Clean, fresh water must be available round the clock.

The Haflinger is generally sound and hardy, and a well-kept one commonly lives 25 to 30 years. Its thrifty metabolism cuts both ways. It keeps the horse in good flesh on very little feed, yet it also makes weight gain, and everything that follows from it, a constant risk. Health management for this breed is largely a matter of keeping the horse at a sensible weight.

Preventive care

• Hold the horse at a healthy body condition with measured feeding and regular work.
• Follow a vaccination schedule suited to the region.
• Deworm according to a programme based on faecal egg counts.
• Book the farrier every six to eight weeks and a dental examination at least once a year.
• Arrange a yearly veterinary check, and more frequent ones for an older horse.

The Haflinger picks things up quickly and works happily with people, so it is a sound prospect across a range of disciplines. It can also be strong-willed, and the best results come from clear, consistent aids and a calm, patient manner. Repetition and routine help. Because the breed is steady by nature, it generally copes well with new surroundings, traffic and unfamiliar tasks.

Basics

1. Begin with groundwork: leading, standing quietly and yielding to pressure.
2. Build trust through regular handling and grooming before any ridden or driven work.
3. Introduce saddlery and harness step by step, letting the horse accept each item in turn.
4. Teach one new thing at a time and confirm it before moving to the next.
5. Keep sessions short and finish on a good note so the horse stays willing.

Haflinger breeding runs on strict standards laid down by the breed registries so that the chestnut coat, flaxen mane and tail and quiet temperament stay consistent. Breeding stock is inspected for conformation and movement before it is approved and registered. A mare is old enough to breed at around three years, though many studs prefer to wait until she has filled out more fully.

Gestation is about eleven months and normally gives a single foal. Foals are usually born a darker shade and lighten as they grow. The breed matures slowly, and young horses are generally not backed until about three years of age so the skeleton has time to develop. Weaning is at around six months, and where possible the youngsters are raised in groups, which suits their sociable, easygoing nature.