The history of the stud farm
Fohlenhof Ebbs
In 1947, with the restructuring of the Tyrolean Breeding Association after the Second World War, a stallion breeding centre was set up at Schloss Wagrain in Ebbs for Tyrolean Haflinger breeding in order to guarantee the central, professional rearing of young stallions. One of the central concerns of the Tyrolean association was breeding progress and development. These basic requirements could only be met by a stallion rearing programme structured purely by the association, at that time still in cooperation with the Republic of Austria. The stallion rearing centre, which reared around 25 young stallions a year from all 7 bloodlines, was the basis for this.
In the following years, part of the Wagrein castle estate was purchased and modernised. This expansion and modernisation was continuously continued, and soon a new area of activity emerged for Fohlenhof Ebbs in terms of both breeding and business, which made it necessary to expand the facility. At the beginning of the 1950s, the approx. 30-hectare Hengstalm was purchased and until 2016 a high alpine pasture with a further approx. 50 hectares was also leased. Around 10 hectares have been acquired at Fohlenhof Ebbs to date, which are used exclusively for paddocks and buildings. During this time, a leased stable building was turned into an internationally recognised equestrian centre. The leased stable building from 1947 was subsequently purchased, and a few years later the second central building, which now housed the mares, the museum and an indoor riding arena, was also acquired. At the end of the 1960s, a new young stallion stable was built for around 50 young stallions. The large indoor riding arena and a new stallion stable followed at the beginning of the 1970s. In the 1980s, the young stallion stables were extended and additional paddocks were purchased. In 1993, the arena with 3500 seats was built and since then the entire interior of the stables has been renovated. In 2014, planning began for the new indoor riding arena as well as the new construction of the old mare stable. This construction work is expected to be completed in 2019.
The Fohlenhof Ebbs - TODAY
Today, Fohlenhof Ebbs is not only the world centre of Haflinger breeding, but its development from the oldest still active Haflinger stud farm in the world to the most famous breeding farm in Austria has given it international significance in the entire field of horse breeding.
In addition to the approx. 50 broodmares, Fohlenhof Ebbs is also home to the largest Haflinger breeding station in Austria with approx. 400 coverings per year, with stallions from all 7 bloodlines, of course exclusively purebred with over 20 generations of Haflinger history in some cases.
Every year since 1961, on the last Saturday in September, a large filly auction has been held at the foal farm with buyers from at least 10 nations.
The stables are home to around 100 Haflingers, including many world and European champions, both mares and stallions.
Today, Fohlenhof Ebbs is the world centre of the Haflinger breed, thanks to its long tradition of over 60 years as a Haflinger stud farm, but above all because it is the headquarters of the Tyrolean Association, which sets the breeding goal worldwide in its breeding orientation and demonstrates and proves this with the horses at the stud farm. Monthly highlights in the Haflinger scene, such as licensing, auctions, stallion and mare elite shows, studbook admission and tournaments are on the varied programme.
