The Haflinger breed originates in the village of Hafling in the Southern Tyrolean region of Italy on the Austrian border. The humble haflinger was known for its surefootedness, strength and kind nature. Then a typical haflinger had a broad muscular neck, chest and hindquarters. The height ranged from 13.2-14 hands. In the early nineteenth century the haflinger was used in war to haul artillery over the alps and was used extensively on farms as plough horses. Today this type of haflinger is known as the “Traditional Type Haflinger”. After the war, the Austrians gathered up the best of this breed and started the world famous Fohlenhof breeding program in Ebbs, Austria. Although there are still Traditional Halfinger Types today, the breeding program has now produced a “Modern Type Haflinger” or “Haflinger Sporting Horse “.
THE HAFLINGER BREED
MODERN HAFLINGERS
The Haflinger Sporting Horse is a taller (14.2-15 hands+), modern and athletic type with good bone for equestrian sports. The horse has a narrower chest and good length of rein and a more elegant conformation and carriage. The horses are bred also for temperament, trainability, rideability and character. Around the world, the haflinger is also competitive in dressage, eventing, hunters and jumpers against other breeds such as Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds.
WHICH HAFLINGER TYPE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
The first step is understanding the end usage for the horse and what type of a rider you are. There is now a choice in breeding lines, horse type, colour, height and physique. Whether it is a performance, sporting horse or a pleasure horse, there is a haflinger to suit your requirements.
FERNANCES CREEK HAFLINGERS
At Fernances Creek we currently have twenty haflinger horses on the property, including two stallions, Nutella and Spartacus and four brood mares (R, D, L, O lines). Our first season of 3 to 4 years olds from Nutella are showing excellent conformation, movement and temperament. We are now taking bookings for stallion services for September and October. We have been breeding haflingers for over 25 years in Australia. In the last five years, there has been a surge of imported bloodlines to Australia. The availability of diverse stallion and mare bloodlines have improved the overall Australian herd. The introduction of Haflinger AI in Australia has also opened up new possibilities for breeders and clients looking for a particular type of horse Both of our stallions are off-spring from imported Austrian bloodlines. We offer both the Modern and the Traditional Type of haflinger. We specialise in producing a sporting horse suitable for eventing, showjumping,working equitation and dressage. Depending on the clients requirements, we have horses that are also just as happy to be used as pleasure or trail horses. We are a small haflinger stud and focus on quality rather than quantity. The important thing is that the horse matches the rider and their riding discipline.
HAFLINGER HORSES FOR SALE
We have a number of young Haflinger horses rising 3 and some other younger stock.
