150 years of the Tyrolean Haflinger

In 1874, stallion 249 Folie from a Tyrolean Mountain mare and an Arab stallion was born on a farm in the South Tyrolean Alps belonging to horse breeder, Josef Folie. 150 years later, this sturdy mountain horse with its distinctive flaxen mane, has become a Tyrolean cultural treasure named 'Haflinger'.

Originally, the Haflinger was used as a lightweight workhorse in the high mountains. They carried food up to remote farms from the valley and worked on the steep mountain fields and forests. When motor vehicles arrived after the Second World War, the Haflinger's other attributes - their good nature, willingness and unique appearance - meant they became popular as leisure horses. Today, locals and visitors alike enjoy riding Haflingers through the mountains and, in the winter months, teams of Haflingers can be seen pulling sleighs through the magnificent Tyrolean scenery. 

We invite you to climb aboard a Haflinger-drawn sleigh as part of our pre-Christmas holiday to Austrian Christmas Markets & Swarovski Crystal Worlds.