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• Written records dating back to the Middle Ages describe small, tough mountain horses living in the Southern Alps, part of a European mountain range. These horses were used to pull wagons and carry heavy loads on their backs to isolated villages and farms of the mountain communites. They could easily climb steep, narrow mountain paths withtheir small, sure hooves. Haflingers are the result of crossbreeding these native horses with Arabian thoroughbreds. The Arabian horses were brought to the area, which is now Austria, as a result of the Crusades and wars against the Turks.
• The birth of the official Haflinger breed was declared in 1874. In 1904, the first Haflinger breeders' association was formed. The purpose of this organization is to improve the breed. Over time, a horse with a greater variety of uses has develped. Today, Haflingers are used for riding, pulling wagons, and in farming. Although, in recent times, there has been a decrease in the number of horses thoughout Europe, the Hafliner continues to win fans worldwine. There are now over 100,000 Haflingers in existence.
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