South Tyrol: where it all began
Sluderno/Schluderns, 1873: The Arabian stallion 133 El Bedavi XXII covers a local mare of Galician origins owned by breeder Josef Folie. In 1874, a golden sorrel is born and later registered as 249 Folie – the colt that is to become the foundation stallion of the Haflinger breed.
Haflinger now an official breed
On 2 May 1898, the Haflinger breed is officially recognised by decree of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Subsequently, 249 Folie and his offspring are formally referred to as Haflinger horses.
Foundation of the Meltina/Mölten First Association of Haflinger Breeders
In mid-1904 the First Association of Haflinger Breeders is founded in Meltina/Mölten, having been officially granted legal support by the Austro-Hungarian authorities in Innsbruck on 12 May 1904.
First mare and stud book
The mare and stud book introduced by the Meltina/Mölten First Association of Haflinger Breeders counts 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 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 comes 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 Haflinger horses. 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 Haflinger horses 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.
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 and organising horse and breeding shows. |
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Foundation of the first Tyrolean Association of Haflinger Breeders The first Haflinger Horse 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, the 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 in 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. |
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. The first stud book of the Haflinger breed is thus continued in South Tyrol. It also includes the definition of the seven blood line founders.
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Cooperative opens a mares' book Generally considered the driving force behind the rehabilitation of Haflinger breeding in Austria, Dr Karl Thurner draws up a mares' book and manages to re-establish systematic breeding. He also enforces the acquisition of high-quality mares from South Tyrol. |
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 strongly in most of Europe. In 1958, the first Haflinger horses 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.
Foundation of the Provincial Federation of South Tyrol Haflinger Horse Breeders Even though two World Wars inevitably leave their mark, ever since the establishment of the Meltina/Mölten First Association of Haflinger Breeders in 1904, Haflinger breeding in South Tyrol is thoroughly organised and well-structured. In 1947, the Federation in its current form is established with the merging of numerous small, independent associations. On 10 April 1953 it is officially founded as a limited liability cooperative based in Bolzano/Bozen. |
| 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. |
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 5 October 1974 the Decision no. 637 of the Council of Ministers officially recognises it as a legal entity.
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.
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 mere 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 regions –Tyrol and South Tyrol– begin to bridge the gap and move up closer together again. Finally, Austria and Italy come to an agreement as to 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.
