Welcome to the Ontario Haflinger Association (OHA) website. For the full 2024 Ontario Haflinger Association Event Listing click here.
The OHA encourages promotion and enjoyment of the Haflinger breed. We strive to improve the quality of the breed and promote the breed through participation in: Haflinger shows, trail rides, driving & riding events, annual Futurity, Educational Clinics, promotional exhibits, social events, and a growing youth program.
Our membership enjoys financial support from the Canadian Haflinger Association; a registry which produces an updated Stallion List and protects the purity of the breed.
What is a Haflinger?
The Haflinger is a native horse of Austria, evolving in the Tyrolean area of the Alps. The breed takes it’s name from the village of Hafling, now part of Italy. The Haflinger is believed to have originated when an Arab stallion, El Bedavi, was used to settle a mountain pony. The resulting colt, Folie, born in 1874 ,is considered the father of the breed.
Haflingers were imported into the United States in 1958 by Temple Farms of Illinois. The first Canadian Haflinger was registered in 1977. In 1980 the Canadian Haflinger Association was founded. In the ensuing years the association has grown in membership to over 250 members and has spread right across Canada, with over 1000 horses registered.
There has always been quite close line breeding within the Haflinger, therefore the breed has a very
similar type, color and appearance. The Haflinger ranges in height from 13 hands (52 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches), weighing in at 800 to 1300 pounds. Haflingers are always chestnut in color, varying in shade from blonde to dark chocolate. The manes and tails are one of the breeds most striking characteristics, being long, thick and flaxen to white in color. A strong, arched neck supports a well shaped head that is flat or slightly dished and broad, with wide spaced eyes and small ears. The body is broad, deep and muscular with strong legs and relatively large, strong hooves…. read more.
