Taken from one of the Haflinger websites- http://www.imh.org/imh/bw/hafling.html:

"The history of the Haflinger horse can be traced to medieval times when writings told of an Oriental race of horse found in the Southern Tyrolean Mountains of present day Austria and northern Italy. Many of the villages and farms in the Tyrol were accessible only by narrow paths requiring agile and sure-footed horses for transportation and packing. Artwork from the region from the early 1800's depicts a small noble chestnut horse with packs and riders traversing steep mountain trails."
http://www.tudoroaksfarm.com/haflingerhistory.htm
"The Haflinger's history begins in Tyrol, Austria, where for centuries, a line of rugged, surefooted mountain horses were bred in southern Tyrol. They worked as general riding horses, light draft and harness horses as well as pack animals. Because of the difficult and mountainous terrain, residents preferred these lighter and smaller horses for various tasks. "

I found a chestnut horse in Rene's book of the Tournament which could be a Haflinger, and the Haflinger studbook predates even the Fresian's studbook, so I believe we have a documentably medieval horse!

I'm absolutely thrilled! Cool!

Remember Chef's feeling about the Friesian being medieval? I don't thing citing the fact the Haflinger studbook is older than the Friesian one is going to win you any points with him, LOL. The Haflinger foundation stallion 249 Folie was born in 1874. Check this out from http://www.stallionstation.com/ss/haflingerintro/

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The breed as it is known today really began in 1874 with the birth of the stallion 249 Folie, a colt by the half-Arabian 133 El Bedavi XXII and out of a refined Tyrolean mare. 249 Folie became the first registered Haflinger stallion and the patriarch of the race.

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Artwork from the region from the early 1800's depicts a small noble chestnut horse with packs and riders traversing steep mountain trails."

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The Haflinger's history begins in Tyrol, Austria, where for centuries, a line of rugged, surefooted mountain horses were bred in southern Tyrol.

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While cool, those things are not really documentation for a "medieval horse breed."

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I found a chestnut horse in Rene's book of the Tournament which could be a Haflinger,

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Hehe, all Haflingers are chestnuts but not all chestnuts are Haflingers What is it that leads you to belive it might be a Haflinger? I would love to find out more.

Haflingers are fun little horses--I used to show one in dressage for a friend. She had a Fjord pony too who was just as great. They may be pony size but they move like the most graceful of horses.

Have fun,
Brenna

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I love Haflingers, they are great little sport horses. They excel in dressage and eventing and are wonderful all around mounts.

However, I did want to update you a bit on the breed. I know we are trying very hard on this board to recognize the difference between period breed and period horse type, so I thought a few tidbits of information might come useful for you.

The recognized foundation sire of the Haflinger breed was foaled in 1874 and was the result of a breeding between a native Tyrolean pony mare and a half-Arabian stallion. The studbook was opened in 1921.

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the Haflinger studbook predates even the Fresian's studbook, so I believe we have a documentably medieval horse!

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Actually, not so. The Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek began registration of Friesian horses in 1879 some 42 years prior to the introduction of the Haflinger stud book. Neither qualifies these horses as medieval but they certainly could qualify under "type".

Please take this in the spirit it was meant, I know from reading your many postings how very important accuracy and historical documentation is to you. The Haflinger breeders in the US are very similar in hype and breed legend to the Friesian breeders, the Al-Khamsa Arabian breeders, the Spanish Norman breeders, the Andalusian breeders,etc. I have read a number of discussions on this board about what constitutes a medieval horse breed and from someone like yourself who has the real LH and accuracy bug, I thought you might like to have a more accurate background on your new acquisistion. On the other hand, falling in love with a horse is so understandable to me and the Haflinger does seem such a perfect "type" for what you do, I can completely understand where you are coming from. You should enjoy this horse alot, the few I have had the good fortune to meet have been wonderful animals.

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