About Us:

Sodar Farms began in 2005 with a dream to breed for an athletic horse capable of excelling in the dressage arena, combined with a small stature and willing personality that would make a wonderful amatuer's mount. Shortly after this vision was formed, we were introduced to the delightful "golden horse with the golden heart," and fell quickly in love with our dream horse - the Haflinger.

In 2006 our dream moved quickly on its way to reality with the purchase of Shebang Wylde. Shebang's unique pedigree, fantastic gaits and conformation, and classic Haflinger personality assured us she would make the perfect foundation for Sodar Farms.

By early 2007 we acquired our second mare, already in foal to the top stallion in the country, and found ourselves well on our way to realizing our dream.

Our love for horses can truly shine through the versatile Haflinger as we enjoy everything we possibly can with our equine partners - from dressage to jumping, trails to driving, and everything in between. We couldn't be happier with the amazing Haflinger.

About the Haflinger:

The uniqueness of the Haflinger lies, of course, in its golden chestnut coloring and long flowing white mane and tail. But more unique is the people-loving, willing and forgiving temperament that was established over centuries of living alongside and working with the mountain peasants, serving all purposes for all family members. Haflingers very simply became part of the family.

The majority of Haflingers are still imported from Austria even today. State studs own the stallions in Austria, carefully maintaining the quality of the breed. The first Haflingers arrive in the United States in 1958 when Tempel Smith of Tempel Farm, Wadsworth, Illinois imported them from Austria to begin a breeding program along with his imported Lipizzan horses.

The modern Haflinger is now found all over the world, active in such varied uses as draft work, packing, light harness and combined driving, western and trail riding, endurance riding, dressage and jumping, vaulting and therapeutic riding programs. Haflingers hold their own in competition with other breeds, often showing surprising athleticism and strength for their size.

Text from the American Haflinger Registry.

Breed Characteristics:

Color may range pale chestnut to dark liver chestnut with pale mane and tail. The desired size is from 54 in. to 60 in. A desirable appearance of the horse is one of elegance and harmony. To this belongs a lean and expressive head with large eyes, well formed neck and supple mid-section, a good croup not too divided and not too short, a distinct musculature as well as correct, defined limbs with good joints. A harmonious body structure that is suitable for all-round pleasure horse.

Desirable are hard-working rhythmic and swinging basic gaits. The movements at a walk should be relaxed energetic and elevated; the trot and gallop should be supple, swinging, light on the feet with a noticeable swinging phase and with a natural suspension. The clear thrust of the foot from an active working hindquarter should be transferred over a loosely swinging back to the anticipating forehand moving freely from the shoulder. Some knee action is desirable.

Desirable is a horse with a strong character, a good-natured, strong, all-round, eager and able to perform, an easy feeder, resistant, and easy to acclimatize that is useful for all purposes. In particular this is valid for riding, driving and vaulting in the pleasure and sport sector, but also as a working horse for pulling and carrying.

Breeding Horse Classification:
For recognition of the predisposition for performance the following features will be examined:

1. Character and temperament as observed by the judges during the inspection and measurement process.
2. Conformation, shown standing in hand.
3. Basic gaits (walk and trot) shown on the triangle
4. Free schooling, including canter or gallop