Haflinger Horses in Hafling, Vöran and Meran 2000

The Haflinger horse, with its distinctive blonde mane, has helped shape the life of the inhabitants of the mountain plateau between Meran/Merano and Bolzano/Bozen for over a hundred years, and is still part of local tradition and customs.

The origin of the Haflinger lies not in Hafling/Avelengo or Meran 2000, but in the village of Schluderns/Sluderno in Obervinschgau/Alta Val Venosta. In 1874, at the farm of horse breeder Josef Folie, the foal 249 FOLIE was born. It originated from the Arabian stallion 133 El Bedavi XXII and a Galician mare. All seven bloodlines of the modern Haflinger breed can be traced back to this stallion.
However, the Haflinger horses owe their name to the small village of Hafling.

Breeding and distribution of the Haflinger horses

Today, the Provincial Federation of South Tyrol Haflinger Horse Breeders and the World Haflinger Breeding and Sports Federation care about the breeding and the promotion of the Haflinger horses worldwide. Thus, this horse race enjoys an increasing popularity all over the world.

Use of the Haflinger horses

The former beast of burden is now used as a versatile family and leisure horse. In Hafling and Vöran/Verano, horse races have a long tradition, and in recent years, skikjoring with Haflinger horses is also increasingly popular.

Tip: During the summer months, the Haflinger horses can be seen on the mountain pastures of the Hafling, Vöran and Meran 2000 hiking area. You can also visit them in the local riding stables

There is much speculation about the origin of the Haflinger name. Since Meran/Merano developed into a spa resort town in the second half of the nineteenth century and there was a resultant tourist boom, the nobles were attracted to this petite horse that the Hafling farmers led heavily laden up the mule tracks. Over the course of time, people in town coined the name Haflinger.