Some excerpts from the Haflinger breed info:
There is something unique about the appearance of the Haflinger horse. Standing between 13 and 15 hands high, it is tempting to call this horse a "pony". But given the Haflinger's heritage of being a tough, strong, hardworking soul in the Tyrolian mountains of Austria, this horse is built for power and hardiness. In its native Austria, the Haflinger is sometimes referred to as a "prince in the front, a peasant behind" due to the size of its muscular hindquarters. The Haflinger descends from a race of mountain ponies that have grazed the Alps for centuries. These ponies, tough and strong, were used as all-around helpers of the Austrian farmer. Subsisting on sparse rations in the winter, the Haflinger's ancestors were selectively bred for temperament, hardiness and longevity. Mountain farmers used them for plowing and transportation, packing up steep trails, pulling logs from the forests. Only those horses who could be handled by all members of the family were kept and bred--thus the docile and friendly nature of the modern Haflingers. This willingness to work, strength, thriftiness, and surefootedness made him a desired military pack horse during World War II, traveling the coldest and most difficult fronts of the war. The first Haflingers were imported to the United States in the 1960's, with one herd arriving in the state of Washington and Illinois. There are now over 10,000 Haflingers in North America, with most imports having arrived within the last ten years from Europe. Breeders who have turned to Haflingers remark not just on their undeniable appeal and people-oriented personalities, but also on their intelligence, boldness, and resilience. They learn quickly and are sensible, attributes that has earned them a place in the world of therapeutic riding, as well as on trails, in the dressage ring, jumping and combined driving. Cheerful and willing to work, the Haflinger is a horse for everyone, easily able to carry a large adult, and gentle enough for the most timid beginning child rider. Perhaps, most of all, the Haflinger is a friend and companion. Over the centuries of living so closely with his human family, the Haflinger developed a temperament that is not simply unflappable, but actively outgoing and engaging. It is said that "Haflingers can do anything, with a smile!" People who switch from other breeds to Haflingers are often amazed by their new horses' intelligence, quickness to learn, and utter desire to please. These new owners are only just learning what Austrian Haflinger owners have known for centuries. When it comes to versatility, ability, and looks, it's hard to beat the blonde horses of the Alps.
