The breeding goal

The Tyrolean Haflinger is far more than just a horse breed - it is part of Alpine culture, centuries-old breeding tradition and modern horse breeding at the same time. Originating in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps, it still stands for a horse that is closely linked to its origins and the people of its homeland. The responsible breeding work of the Tyrolean Haflinger Horse Breeding Association aims to preserve and carefully develop the unmistakable type of this special breed. In this way, the Tyrolean Haflinger remains a horse that combines tradition and future in a unique way.

The origins of the Haflinger lie in the historic Tyrolean Alpine region. In Schluderns in Vinschgau, which today belongs to the autonomous province of South Tyrol, the stallion 249 Folie was born in 1874 - the founder of the Haflinger breed.
His pedigree united two worlds: the robustness and sure-footedness of the down-to-earth alpine small horses with the nobility of the oriental half-breed stallion 133 El'Bedavi XXII (1868). This combination resulted in a type of horse that was ideally suited to the requirements of the alpine environment.
In the heart of Tyrol, this developed into a horse breed that still stands for reliability, strength of character and versatility today - the Haflinger. It combines strength, endurance and sure-footedness with a friendly nature and thus epitomises the characteristics of its alpine homeland.

The Tyrolean Haflinger is consistently bred as a pure breed. Since the foundation of the breed with the stallion 249 Folie, no crossbreeding with other horse breeds has been permitted on the stallion side. The studbook was also closed early on the mare side - no foreign-bred horses have been allowed to be bred since 1920.
The studbook of origin of the Haflinger breed is maintained by the Haflinger Horse Breeding Association Tyrol and the Italian national association ANACHRAI. Both studbooks are harmonised and based on the same breeding principles.
The Haflinger Horse Breeding Association Tyrol consistently pursues its breeding goal through selection within its own population. Cross-breeding with foreign breeds has been ruled out since the beginning of studbook management - the clear principle of 0.0 % foreign blood therefore applies to the Haflinger.
Over generations, seven important bloodlines have developed within the breed, ensuring genetic diversity to this day (A, B, M, N, S, ST and W). These lines can be traced back to particularly influential sires and form the basis of responsible and sustainable Haflinger breeding.

The Tyrolean Haflinger impresses with its harmonious, elegant and at the same time powerful appearance. Typical for the breed are chestnut colours in all shades, from light chestnut to dark chestnut, combined with the characteristic light white longhair, which gives the Haflinger its unmistakable charisma.
With an ideal height of around 150 cm, the Haflinger combines compact strength with sufficient size and quality of movement. This makes it equally suitable as a leisure and family horse as well as a sporting partner.

The ideal Haflinger presents itself as an elegant, harmoniously built horse with clear contours and an athletic appearance. A dry, expressive head with a large, friendly eye, a well-formed neck and an elastic centrepiece characterise the typical appearance of the breed. Mares and stallions should always show a clearly recognisable sexual expression.
The forequarters are characterised by prominent withers reaching far into the back, a large sloping shoulder and sufficient depth of chest. A medium-length, slightly taut back connects the forequarters and hindquarters in an elastic and strong manner. The hindquarters are characterised by a long, slightly sloping and strongly muscled croup and form the basis for thrust and carrying capacity. Overall, a balanced and functional organisation of the body into fore-, mid- and hindquarters is aimed for. Particular attention is paid to a correct, stable foundation with clearly defined joints and resistant hooves, which ensures resilience and longevity.

The Haflinger has hard-working, rhythmic and pure gaits with good ground coverage. Walk, trot and canter are clearly performed in the natural rhythm of movement - in four-beat walk, two-beat trot and three-beat canter.
The walk is relaxed, energetic and even, with a clear downhill and uphill stride. Trot and canter are characterised by elasticity, impulsion and a clear suspension phase. The movements should appear light-footed, carried and well balanced.
The dynamics arise from an actively working hindquarters, whose impulsion is transferred via a loosely swinging back to the forehand, which reaches forward freely from the shoulder. This creates a harmonious movement that involves the whole body.
A natural upright posture, secure balance and an elastic quality of movement characterise the image of an efficient Haflinger. The canter in particular should show a clear forward and upward movement.

An essential characteristic of the Tyrolean Haflinger is its balanced character and its distinctive interior. A good-natured, strong-nerved and reliable horse with a high willingness and ability to perform is desirable. The Haflinger is characterised by a willingness to cooperate, a human nature and good sociability. Great value is placed on health, robustness and longevity. The Haflinger is regarded as a hardy, frugal and fertile horse with a solid constitution that can cope with the demands of a wide variety of tasks.
Thanks to these characteristics, the Haflinger offers a wide range of uses, as a reliable leisure and family horse, as a capable partner in riding and driving and as a versatile horse for children and adults. Its sure-footedness, stamina and balanced nature also make it an ideal companion in alpine terrain.
The Tyrolean Haflinger thus combines strength of character, health, willingness to perform and versatility - characteristics that have made it a valued partner for generations.

The Tyrolean Haflinger combines type, character, performance and versatility in a unique way. Its clear pedigree, consistent pure breeding and responsible breeding work have ensured the unmistakable type of this alpine horse breed for generations. With its harmonious conformation, its rhythmic movements, its balanced nature and its robustness, the Haflinger fulfils the requirements of a modern, versatile horse.
Today, as in the past, the Tyrolean Haflinger stands for a horse that combines tradition, quality and the future.