Haflingers…yes, this is spelled correctly! This breed of horses originated in Austria & northern Italy during the late 1800’s. They are a small horse with a sturdy build that was established in the village of Hafling in the Etschlander Mountains. There is a strong Arabian influence crossed with original native Tyrolean ponies & coming from the original gene pool & mountain environment, this has resulted in a very fixed physical type & appearance.

The first Haflingers were imported to the US from Austria in 1958. They are always chestnut in color & stand somewhere between 13.2 to 15 hands high. They were originally developed to work in the mountainous regions as a pack horse & for forestry & agricultural work. Today they are used for everything from draft & light harness work to under-saddle events including western riding, endurance, dressage, show jumping, trail & therapeutic riding. They are used by both children & adults.

We have 2 registered Haflinger geldings named Duke & Curly. They are the most endearing horses I’ve ever met. They are ½ brothers & were born within 2 hours of each other in Randolph, Vermont. They have never been apart. Because ours are built more the draft style than slender riding style, we don’t use ours for riding, but have a wagon, a small sleigh & large sled they sometimes pull. We have not used them with the public yet, but may in the future. They are very loving, affectionate, intelligent, honest horses who truly appreciate human companionship. They are also extremely good eaters & it is a constant battle to keep their weight under control since they are such easy keepers!

They take good care of my old quarter horse, Rooster Cogburn, who’s 32 years old now. He is a retired Polo horse who had a very active life traveling up & down the east coast playing polo & wintering in Florida. He was also used as a lesson horse for both English & Western riding as well as jumping. He has cataracts now & so doesn’t see very well & his hearing isn’t the greatest either, but he loves being out in the pasture with Duke & Curly. I’ve seen, on a few different occasions, where when a storm comes up or something scary is happening (kids with fireworks) & they are outside, Duke & Curly will get on either side of Rooster & guide him around the pasture just like they are taking care of him until I can get there! Animals never cease to amaze me!