In 1958 Tempel Smith, of the Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, Illinois, imported the first Haflinger from their homeland of Austria. He used these horses to begin a breeding program in the United States. The Haflinger was named for the Tyrolean village, Hafling, from the area in present day Austria and Northern Italy known as the Tyrolean Mountains. Although Haflingers can be traced back to medieval times through writings and artwork of the times, the first official documentation of the Haflinger breed was established in 1874 when the foundation stallion, 249 Folie, was born. All modern, purebred Haflingers must be able to trace their ancestry back to Folie through one of seven different stallion lines.
The government of Austria carefully maintains the integrity of the breed through State stud ownership of stallions. Even though the modern Haflinger is found all over the world, most Haflingers are still imported from Austria. For many generations, Haflingers have been breed very selectively to insure their gentle temperament and their ability to adapt as both work and pleasure horses.
About Haflingers
Haflingers are easily recognized by their signature, flaxen mane and tail flowing over their golden chestnut coat. But people love them most for their personality and gentle disposition. They love being with and working with people.
Through selective breeding for performance, their athleticism and temperament make them well suited for draft work, packing, combined driving or light harness horses. Their trainability and eagerness to please makes them perfect for dressage, vaulting and jumping; plus they make wonderful therapeutic riding horses.
