Page 12 - AEF-AlbertaBits_Summer-2025

About a Breed
All Purpose
A Friend for Life
A Horse for all Seasons
Hardy, Handsome and Hugely Versatile
By Breanna Mroczek
ON A TRIP TO AUSTRIA 35 years ago, Heather
Rioux visited a Haflinger breeding farm — a breed
developed in Austria and northern Italy during the
late 19th century. Rioux was immediately taken by
the sight of these beautiful horses roaming around
with the Austrian Alps in the background. She had no
idea that, decades later, she would be breeding and
competing with Haflingers.
For the past seven years, Heather and her
husband, Andre, have been breeding Haflinger
horses at their ranch, Solstice Haflingers. They used
to breed Shire and Clydesdale horses, but switched
to Haflingers for their versatility. “We both ride
and drive horses, and Haflingers are really great in
harness,” Rioux says.
There are two main types of Haflingers: the
draught-style and the sport- or modern-style. The
latter is a lighter, more refined horse with enhanced
movement for competitive disciplines like driven
dressage. These modern Haflingers are taller, more
athletic and well-suited for riders looking for
performance as well as personality. Draught-style
Haflingers are shorter and heavier with thicker legs,
and are much quieter. “A lot of people love to use
them for carriage driving,” Rioux says.
Regardless of what type you have, Haflinger
horses really do everything. Few horse breeds are
as all purpose as this one. These golden coated
horses with long manes and tails are famously
adaptable — equally comfortable in a dressage
arena, on a mountain trail or pulling a cart through
a competition course. Rioux herself has a six-year-
old Haflinger gelding that she competes with in
combined driving and performs in driven dressage.
Their cheerful personalities and solid builds make
them ideal for amateur riders, but they also offer
enough refinement and athleticism to hold their
own in competitive arenas.
Known for their charm and versatility, Haflingers
also have an appealing combination of strength and
temperament that makes them a favourite among
amateur riders. The horses tend to be really quiet and
very easy, making them ideal for both young riders
and older adults returning to the saddle. Haflingers
are sturdy, typically ranging from 13 to 15 hands, and
they exude a friendly, people-oriented personality.
However, their affectionate nature can come
with a bit of sass. “They can sometimes be a little
bit pushy,” Rioux admits, cautioning that new owners
must be clear with boundaries. “If you give them an
inch, they’ll take a mile.” While Haflingers have many
benefits that make them a good breed for those new
to riding, they do have some challenges. First-time
owners are advised to be consistent and firm in
handling to avoid behavioural issues.
On the practical side, Haflingers can pose a
challenge for saddle fitting. Haflingers typically have
short backs, and are quite wide with large barrels,
which can make it tricky to find tack that fits well.
Rioux is one of only a few Haflinger breeders
left in Canada working to preserve the quality and
character of the breed. She supposes that, as with all
breeds, there are ebbs and flows in popularity due to
a decline in quality when demand causes the market
to flood.
Breeders want to keep the integrity of the
breed because, despite the decrease in breeders,
there is still demand from people who are seeking
a versatile, amateur-friendly breed with a good
temperament and beautiful appearance. Haflingers
are very personable and enjoy being around people —
owning one is having a friend for life. Like all horses,
Haflingers are herd animals — but they love people
and bond with their owners.
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Alberta Bits Summer 2025