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| The
Haflinger |
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Haflingers have a long
history on the Continent
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Originating from the South
Tyrol, Haflingers were the native ponies of the Alpine farms of Austria.
Arab blood, brought back from the Continental wars with the Turks was crossed
the native Tyrolean Pony - thus establishing the Haflinger Horse Breed.
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Stallions have been registered for over 100 years,
with government-organised breeding for the past fifty years.
Haflingers are now established in all five continents, within many different
countries.
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Looks, Limb Bone
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| Head |
Expressive, lean and noble with
slight dish. Eyes large, dark and lively. Fine nostrils and ears in proportion
to the head. |
| Neck |
Connection from the head not too
thick. Reasonably long, light and well positioned. Strong sloping shoulders and
good withers. Not too deeply set on the body. |
| Body |
Broad, deep chest. Well tensed,
not straight, back. Broad loins. Good joints. Well carried tail. Girth between
65"-73". |
| Limbs |
Clean and well positioned with
hard healthy hooves. Strong fore-arms and a good second thigh. Short cannons.
Bone: Mares 6½"-7¾", Stallions
7¼"-8½". |
| Paces |
Long free and elastic
stride. |
| Height |
Mares 14hh (average), Stallions
14.2hh (average). |
Colouring
Chestnut, light , middle , liver
or red.
Dappling is acceptable, as are paler legs and under-body.
White hairs within the coat and socks are not favoured.
Mane and Tail should be white or flaxen
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Temperament and
Versatility
The Haflinger is friendly,
uncomplicated and willing - the ideal 'Family Pony'...
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Haflingers have a loving
temperament and a willingness to please. They need and enjoy plenty of exercise
and are "good-doers", not needing large fields of lush grass or hard
feeds (unless in strenuous work). Like all horses, their fields must have
strong boundaries and plenty of fresh water. Despite being a hardy breed,
Haflingers need shelter from the cold and wet.
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Haflingers were first
imported into Great Britain in the 1960's
Herr Otto Schweisgut, who
developed the modern Haflinger breed in Austria has guided the Haflinger
Society of Great Britain since its inception in 1970. Thus, the Haflinger
Society of Great Britain models itself on the Tyrolean precepts regarding the
breed.
In Austria, Haflingers are inspected at 3 years of age. This ensures that the
pedigree Haflinger has good conformation, straight, free movement, an endearing
temperament and good colouring. |
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The Haflinger Society of Great Britain inspects and grades all 3-year old
fillies. Colts intended for breeding stallions are inspected yearly. If at
3-years old, the colts pass the inspections, they are allowed to become fully
registered breeding stallions.
Haflinger breed societies around the world are linked via the World Haflinger
Federation, being guided by Austria on overall standards and breeding aims.
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The Duchess of Devonshire is
our Patron. Along with Ernie Holmes and Jane Evers-Swindell, she was one of the
first to import Haflingers into Britain. Her Majesty The Queen, having been
presented with 2 mares during a State Visit to Austria, is also a Haflinger
owner.
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The information and photographs in this article are kindly provided
by The Haflinger Society of Great Britain
For further information on the Haflinger, please
contact Douglas Seel: email douglas.seel@mail.which.net
To visit the Haflinger Society of GB website -
please click here
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