Difference between a Haflinger and an Icelandic?

annareeves0

annareeves0

Active Member
Dec 18, 2007
3,282
13
38
57
Bournemouth, Dorset
My friend has really got me thinking. I have a Haflinger - I know she is - at least Dad was registered stallion - not sure about Mum.

My friend was sold a 'Haflinger' some time ago that didnt come with any papers, not even a passport (long story) but she was told she is a Haflinger and we had no reason to think otherwise except.....

there are some really marked differences between her and my horses and she is starting to think actually she may be an icelandic. When she mentioned it this week I started thinking about the differences particularly in general shape etc

The main reasons for thinking so are a very pronounced rounded neck crest and a very fast trot gait that could be a tolt???? (if I knew what a tolt looked like!)

How would you figure out which she was? Not that it matters, shes a much loved, fab little horse - but would just be nice to know.
 
Pictures would help a lot.

Here's a web site that explains Icelandic gaits..
On the left click Icelandic horses, then click gait.
http://www.icelandichorse.is/

My purebred Fjord mare had a super fast trot.
Trot is not used as much in Icelandic horses, as say other trotting breds.
Most happy hackers prefer to ride Tolt.

If your horse's gait sounds like... Black -in- decker...black -in- decker.. it could possibly be tolt.
 
ShariN said:
If your horse's gait sounds like... Black -in- decker...black -in- decker.. it could possibly be tolt.
Click to expand...

That made me giggle :D

There are different types of Haffie - there is the Austrian type that are taller and finer, like mine (pic below - and he is slightly overweight)
23072009961.jpg

and then you have dutch/belgian type which are shorter and chunkier.
 
i suspect it is highly unlikely someone will sell you an icelandic without telling you :p and not everything chestnut with a flaxen mane is neccessarily a haflinger either :p
 
Ill have to ask my firend if i can post some photos - I was just curious really.

She definately trots but seems to have a really really fast trot. She's 13'3, chestnut/flaxen but quite dappled around her belly and as i said has this pronounced crest. The chances are she is a haflinger but sometimes when you look at them side by side the differences seem more apparent than the similarities but stand back and you wouldnt question it.

Her precise history is a mystery - bought from a dealer friend of our farm manager who said she had been a 'rescue' and had been living in (and mostly locked in) a trailer for the last year. Shes very sweet natured, pretty bomb proof out and about and very food orientated (a definate Haffi trait :D)

I just wondered as have on occasion confused the two breeds (fjords look very similar too of course) I never was much of a one for breeds - they're all gorgeous!
 
There is a world of difference between an Icelandic and a Haflinger.

There is also a world of difference in body shapes within each breed.
 
My haffie has a very very fast trot and I rode her out with an Icelandic (until she was PTS recently, RIP Lilla :-(((

Icelandics are normally shorter than Haffies under 13 ish hands and the one I knew had a very thick mane and tail and the mane stood up in the air there was so much.

Also TBH Icelandics are very expensive normally so I think its unlikely to be a pure Icey? could be a cross, or more likely a 'draught-y' type of Haffie. although mine is the finer type (pic below), for a long time they were shorter and heavier looking.

But what a lovely story thats shes found such a good home whatever past horrors she faced.

P1010773.jpg
[/IMG]
 
newrider.com
Top Bottom