handbook - American Haflinger Registry

INVITATION TO AHR INSPECTION & CLASSIFICATIONFor those of us who love horses, they are all pretty. Some are just prettier than others. Why? Becausethey are balanced, have correct confirmation and are breathtaking to watch when they move.Haflingers originate from Europe, specifically Austria. Europe and Austria are well known for consistentlybreeding excellent horses. How do they do it? Almost all breeds of horses in Europe areinspected and classified, including Haflingers. Only those stallions and mares, which meet or exceeda strict “standard” are entered in the studbooks and allowed to breed.How does the process work? Three specially trained, qualified Haflinger judges will carefully examineeach horse. The horse is evaluated against the Breed Standard, as prescribed by the Breeding Objectivesof the American Haflinger Registry.TO JUDGE THE BODY AND LEGS – The handler will stand the horse in front of the 3 judges, so theycan judge the horse’s type, head, neck, forehand, mid-section, hindquarters and legs.TO JUDGE WALK AND LEGS - The handler will be asked to walk the horse on a 15 meter triangle, tojudge legs, correctness of movement, and extension at the walk. The handler will first walk away fromthe judges, then along the far, backside of the triangle, opposite the judges, then back toward thejudges, standing at the apex of the triangle.TO JUDGE LEGS AND TROT - Next, the handler will be asked to trot the horse on a 30 meter triangle,so the judges can see legs, correctness of movement, and extension at the trot. First, away from thejudges, then along the far, backside of the triangle, opposite the judges, then back toward the judges,standing at the apex of the triangle.TO JUDGE OVERALL MOVEMENT – Finally, the horse will be allowed to “run free” in the arena, toallow the judges to see it’s movement, unencumbered by handler, halter or lead rope. The judges arespecifically looking for how the horse expresses itself in trot and canter.FOR MORE INFORMATION and WRITTEN MATERIALS, CONTACT:the AHR office at 330-784-0000 or ahaflinger@sbcglobal.netJudges viewpoint10-15 meter smalltriangle20–30 meters total lengthlarge triangle53