Americans love competition, and the American Midwest loves pulling its weight. Tractor pulls, truck pulls and pony pulls are among some of the most popular events in the farm communities that make up this great land. For decades, pony pulls have been a popular competition event, stemming from locals matching up their best pulling horses in order to earn bragging rights and money. In the beginning, local farmers would gather in a field somewhere and match up their best team with their neighbors best to see who was the strongest and most skilled team around. Soon word got around and local folks started to come watch the events and eventually it became so popular it found its way into county fairs. It is a fond memory of a childhood outing with the family to the local fair to watch the ponies, and steeped in tradition in American farm families. Over decades, families passed down the knowledge and skills from generation to generation and made it a big part of the entire family’s life.
One of the most popular pulling ponies in America today is the Austrian Haflinger. Considered to be one of the most attractive pony breeds, the Haflinger was developed in the southern Austrian village of Hafling in the Etschlander Mountain area. It finds its foundation in Arabian blood, however, there is confusion as to its base which is said to be of either; horses left in the Tyrolese valleys by the East Goths, or perhaps an even more ancient European or Alpine Heavy Horse. Nevertheless, they have maintained much of their original characteristics through careful breeding. The breed was preserved, by out-crossing to Hucul, Bosnian, Konik and Norik horses. The Hucul is a native of the Carpathian Mountains and is said to be a direct descendent of the primitive breed of Tarpan. It is also closely related to the ancient Asian Wild Horse, which would make the Hucul of great close relation to the earliest breeds of the world.
It is believed that early 19th century artwork depicts Haflinger ponies working in the Tyrolese region. These may be some of the breeding stock used in the Haflinger development. Regardless of the original breeding stock, the crossing to the Arabian, El Bedavi was the link that formed the Haflinger pony. In the 19th century, El Bedavi was imported to Austria from Arabia and four of the five principal bloodlines today can be traced to him by way of sons, grandsons and great grandsons of his half bred, great grandson, El Badavi XXII. The fifth bloodline can also be traced to El Bedavi XXII through the great grandson, 40 Willy, out of El Bedavi XXII’s grandson, Hafling. This consistent breeding back to the same family has produced a uniform breed of excellent quality and unmistakable appearance.
The Haflinger is always palomino or chestnut with flaxen or blonde mane and tail, and stands around 13-15 hands. The head is rather small and fine, an attribute remaining from the Arabian blood and the eye is soft and intelligent. Small upright ears and small muzzle round out the head nicely. Strong hooves and sturdy legs on well sloped shoulders and strong muscular body. The back can be rather long as is typical of pack ponies and they have the ability to maintain a long stride while working even on mountain slopes. The breed is an extremely sound and hardy one, as would befit a mountain bred equine and this is evident in the specimens we see today. The thin mountain air has caused the breed to develop a strong heart and lung and it is not uncommon for them to remain active and healthy to the age of 40 years.
Today, the Haflinger is used in America as a riding and driving pony and is also commonly used in forestry and agricultural work. They are hardy and easy to keep, living off of meager rations and they can hold their own to a draft horse when it comes to strength. They have a grace and finesse that most draft type equine do not possess and they have been used to improve other breeds as well. They are certainly one of the most important breed of European pony known.
Carriage and harness development dates back as far as 250 B.C. and Chariot races should be considered as the first of competition driving events. Chariot races were a tradition of dangerous and vigorous speed held in an arena with spectators in early Rome. History shows that often times, horses and drivers alike were maimed or killed due to the intense and reckless speed achieved. There were no rules designed for safety, and the bottom line was to win and impress the leaders of society.
Over the course of centuries, a more organized driving competition was developed and in Europe, by the 17th century, it was a prominent sporting event. Skills and speed were both considered as well as ability. As the event grew, so did the desire to breed horses suitable for the competition. Organization led to categories such as pony and horse divisions, and dressage maneuvers and endurance were added.
In the early 19th century, with the development of the railroad, coach travel became less and less used in favor of the faster, more comfortable train travel. With this, came the threat of loosing the skills needed for four-in-hand coach driving. Clubs were formed to preserve the skills and tradition of four-in-hand driving which had been used primarily by coach drivers, and by 1871, The Coaching Club of Great Britain was formed and still exists today. Although the development of the motorized vehicle was just around the corner, local travel was still done by horse and carriage but teams of stock types were seldom used for this. Team driving became a spectator event and this tradition is still kept alive today by competitive driving enthusiasts.
In 1874, the first Haflinger was recorded, 249 Folie, out of a native Tyrolese mare and El Badavi XXII. All modern purebred Haflingers must trace their ancestry directly to Folie through one of seven different stallion lines according to registration rules. By the late 1800s Europe was well established in competitive driving and Austria was among a handful of countries listed as top producers and competitors. Austrian pony teams were very competitive and today, Haflinger’s are still at the top of their game.
During WWII the ponies were bred to be a bit stockier and heavier and used as pack animals for the military. After the war, great efforts were made to return the breed back to their original refinement. Today, they are suitable for riding by both adults and children alike. They are showing up in endurance and trail rides, western classes, fine harness, and therapeutic riding clinics. Their docile temperament, eagerness to please and gentle nature was most likely developed during the early years when the Haflinger was used so closely by peasant farmers that they were actually as much of a family pet as an agricultural tool.
Haflingers are found all around the world these days and are especially popular in the Midwestern United States. Although, it retains the finely developed characteristics of its forefathers with strength and agility highly prized, a new type is being developed in the 21st century. A very heavy stocky type is becoming a sought after commodity among pulling competitors. Some of these ponies are exceeding 1400 lbs. while retaining their 13 or so hand height. Time will tell if this will decrease the activity level or life span of the Haflinger and if there will be any adverse effects on the nearly disease resistant breed.
Certain standards have been set by the World Haflinger Federation and the Tyrolean Horse Breeders Association. All Haflingers must meet a certain criteria before being registered. With these strict regulations regarding the conformation and build of Haflingers, the breed has been virtually unchanged for centuries. These standards are posted on the American Haflinger Registry website. For more information please contact the American Haflinger Registry, 1686 East Waterloo Rd., Akron, Ohio 44036-4103, 330/784-0000, or visit them on the web at www.haflingerhorse.com.
