Our Breeding Program

At Willow Brook Farms we are determined to maintain the integrity of the

Haflinger breed, in keeping with the rules of the World Haflinger Federation

and American Haflinger Registry. We carefully select and match the most

superb stallions and mares, seeking year by year to "raise the bar" and

populate America with Haflinger horses which are spirited yet calm...sturdy

yet refined...independent of mind yet willing to do his or her rider's bidding.

	Bringing Up Baby

	Every year, from two to four Haflinger foals
	are born at Willow Brook Farms.
	They are handled by caring humans from the
	moment of birth, and come to view their
	handlers as adoptive (if not actual) parents.
	Within hours after birth, the new foals are put
	on pasture with their dams ... learning how to
	run and play and, in general, make their
	mothers' lives miserable. They are handled
	daily by their human parents, learning to wear
	a halter, walk politely on a lead rope and obey
	some basic commands in their first week or two
	of life. This enforces the naturally gentle
	Haflinger disposition, and makes the animal
	safer to be around than one might normally
	expect from a species which is, from birth, so
	powerful.

To the disappointment of many who are interested, only a small number of

Willow Brook Haflingers are available for purchase in any given year ... and the

price could be somewhat higher than one might pay for a horse which is less

rare. People who are sincerely interested and who can provide a good home are

certainly invited to inquire, with the understanding that there might be a bit of a

wait before a registered Willow Brook Haflinger can be delivered.

There are other Haflinger sources, some of which we consider to be quite

reputable and which may have more horses available for sale than Willow

Brook Farms. We will be happy to put you in touch with those sources ... and,

more importantly, to help you avoid any sources which might be less than

reputable.