A strong umbrella organisation

First mare and stud book

The mare and stud book introduced by the Meltina/Mölten First Association of Haflinger Breeders lists 250 horses. On individually numbered pages, the register contains a description of all horses detailing the criteria as defined by the statutes – some of which are still in use: name, date of birth, marking, height, girth and cannons as well as information about the owner and the covering. Together with the statutes, the mare and stud book documents provide evidence of organised breeding activities as early as around 1900.

Cooperative buys Tschauffenhof farm in Meltina/Mölten

On 16 July 1907, ‎the Meltina/Mölten First Association of Haflinger Breeders acquires the Tschauffenhof farmstead in the same village and, with plenty of support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, establishes a breeding centre for young mares.

WWI interrupts breeding

From the founding of the Meltina/Mölten First Association of Haflinger Breeders up until the beginning of the first World War, Haflinger breeding experiences a rapid boost: The Ministry of Agriculture of the Austro-Hungarian Empire keeps providing generous subsidies, money is granted for all horses kept on mountain pastures during the summer, and prizes won at award shows are rewarded with medals and additional prize money. With the outbreak of WWI, this promising development however grinds to a sudden halt. In the general mobilisation frenzy, the vast majority of horses have to be handed over to the army, causing a significant decrease in the population of Haflingers. The existing studhorse regulations become void and the turmoil of the war goes on to destroy a great deal of valuable breeding groundwork.

After WWI

After the defeat of Austria-Hungary, in November 1918 Italy occupies the border regions South Tyrol (predominantly German-speaking) and Trentino (mainly Italian-speaking) which, following the signing of the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, are officially annexed on 10 October 1920. The effects on Haflinger breeding are considerable: The extensive support by the Austro-Hungarian monarchy suddenly ceases and the hitherto strong demand for Haflingers decreases dramatically. Times are difficult for both the population and horse breeding. To make matters worse, after the separation most of the stallions are located on Austrian territory while the high-quality brood mares have remained in South Tyrol. And yet the breeding activities do not stop altogether, as those in charge are the same people as before the war. A year after the annexation, the Italian state begins to impose conditions and rules on Haflinger breeding and, taking over all studhorses which belonged to the Monarchy, reallocates them to new and existing stud farms.

Italy: An extraordinary commission for the region

In January 1921, an extraordinary horse breeding commission for South Tyrol is appointed for the duration of three years and put in charge of setting up covering stations as well as organising horse and breeding shows.

Austria: Foundation of the first Haflinger Breeders' Association Tyrol

The first Haflinger Breeders' Association in the now Austrian-only Tyrol is founded in the village of Zams. After only a few years, the cooperative already has 100 Haflinger mares available. They are officially referred to as OHAST, a German abbreviation for “original Haflinger mares” (Original-Haflingerstuten). In 1927, Austrian Haflinger breeding takes a significant step forward as the Italian government authorises the sale of another 100 Haflinger mares from South Tyrol. While some of these horses are sold to breeders in the eastern part of Tyrol, the majority goes to farms in northern Tyrol.

Austria: Cooperative opens a mares' book

Generally considered the driving force behind the efforts to restore Haflinger breeding in Austria, Dr Karl Thurner sets up a mares' book and manages to re-establish systematic breeding. He also pushes for the acquisition of high-quality mares from South Tyrol.

Italy: The first Italian Original Haflinger stud book

In 1929, the South Tyrol commission for horse breeding examines some 1000 mares and 70 stallions used for breeding in the region, out of which 330 mares and 40 stallions are chosen, listed and described including their exact lineage. For South Tyrol, this marks a continuation of the first stud book for the Haflinger breed. It also includes the definition of the seven blood line founders.

Spreading of the Haflinger breed in Europe

In Germany, Haflinger breeding only starts in the late 1930s. In pre-war times, the German army buys a number of South Tyrolean horses for their mountain troops: Between 1936 and 1938, around 100 Haflinger mares are exported from South Tyrol to Bavaria. While Austrian buyers seem to prefer the wirier and slightly nobler type, the Germans opt for heavier horses. Soon the horses are also used for non-military purposes, and, thanks to a series of exhibitions at equestrian shows among other things, after 1945 the Haflinger breed develops and spreads significantly in many parts of Europe. In 1958, the first Haflingers are exported to the American continent. The Haflinger Breeders' Association Tyrol (HPT) in particular deserves recognition for its efforts and merits in the marketing and promotion of the Haflinger breed at international level.

Austria: Restructuring of the Haflinger Breeders' Association Tyrol

Soon after the end of WWII, the cooperative undergoes a restructuring process and starts focusing predominantly on increased marketing and a strict approach based on pure breeding.

Italy: Foundation of the Provincial Federation of South Tyrol Haflinger Horse Breeders

Since the establishment of the Meltina/Mölten First Association of Haflinger Breeders, Haflinger breeding in South Tyrol takes the shape of an organised and structured effort. The two World Wars, however, do not fail to leave their mark on the breed. In 1947, the Provincial Federation of South Tyrol Haflinger Horse Breeders in its current form is established by merging numerous small, independent associations. On 10 April 1953, it is officially founded as a limited liability cooperative based in Bolzano/Bozen.

Foundation of the Italian national association

On 20 December 1971, several regional associations merge to found the National Association of Breeders of Italian Haflinger Horses (ANACRHAI/Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Cavalli di Razza Haflinger Italia), which is subsequently put in charge of keeping the stud book. On 05 October 1974, the Italian Council of Ministers officially recognises it as a legal entity in their decree no. 637.

Foundation of the World Haflinger Federation

With the World Haflinger Federation (Welt Haflinger Vereinigung), the first international organisation is established at the Fohlenhof Ebbs stud farm in Tyrol. Otto Schweisgut is elected President and for several decades goes to great lengths to market and spread the breed all over the world. He remains President until 2000 and is succeeded by Johannes Schweisgut.

International Haflinger Show

Around 250 horses are presented at the Fohlenhof Ebbs stud farm. The format marks the starting point for the subsequent development of the Haflinger World Show.

Foundation of the European Federation of Haflinger Horse Breeders

Although the achievements of the World Haflinger Federation are undisputed, for a number of reasons some associations do not feel adequately represented. In September 2003, the European Federation of Haflinger Horse Breeders is founded in the Italian city of Bolzano/Bozen by the stud book organisations of France, Germany and Italy.

World Haflinger Breeding and Sports Federation

The existence of two international umbrella organisations only widens the gap between the two main breeding regions – the Italian South Tyrol and northern Tyrol in Austria. At the same time, there is no international point of reference: Some organisations acknowledge Italy and therefore the Italian national federation ANACRHAI as the organisation which holds the original stud book for the Haflinger breed and orientate their approach towards the guidelines of the European Federation of Haflinger Horse Breeders, while others adhere to the policies of the Haflinger Breeders' Association Tyrol and therefore the World Haflinger Federation. After a change in the management of the Haflinger Breeders' Association Tyrol, the two main breeding regions –Tyrol and South Tyrol– begin to bridge the gap and move closer together again. Finally, Austria and Italy come to an agreement over the matter of the original stud book – an achievement which is very well received by the international breeders' community. On 01 February 2013, the World Haflinger Breeding and Sports Federation (WHBSF) is founded with 16 regular and four associate members.

Renewed focus on expanding cooperation, research and conference formats across borders

Strengthening of international alignment through joint committees and task forces

Outlook

The next Haflinger World Show is scheduled to take place in 2030 at the Fohlenhof Ebbs stud farm.