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The Disposition & Trainability ProgramThe Haflinger horse is known for his pleasant, intelligent nature and trainability and the AHR is committed to maintaining and promoting this important breed characteristic. Temperament testing is beginning to find a place in breed classification scores in Europe. The Austrians, for example, test by having the horse saddled, or harnessed and put to a carriage, in the ring and then have the horse perform a ridden or driven dressage test. In 2006, the Performance Test Committee of the American Haflinger Registry met and established a testing and rating system designed to measure a horse’s disposition and trainability. The Disposition and Trainability Test was established by the Performance Test Committee to create a system of testing and rating the American Haflingers’ disposition and trainability. The ideas for this test were gleaned from similar performance classes used by the American Quarter Horse Association and from the Ohio Cooperative Extension Service Saddle Horse 4 H rulebooks as well as from the American Driving Society rule book. The committee wanted to find a testing system that would be appropriate to all riding and driving disciplines, and not to limit it to performance under a professional trainer or rider. Tack and attire need to be safe and serviceable but beyond that there are no specific requirements for turnout. Our objective was and is to have the testing process open to all horsemen and not limit participation to professional trainers or handlers. Riding style and ability will not be judged, although obviously basic riding ability does have an effect on the performance of the horse. Three types of tests have been established. The first tests a horse in hand, being handled and worked on the ground with a halter and lead. The second is a driving test, and the third a test performed under saddle. The scoring system rates the horse’s response to various obstacles, willingness, and disposition. Scores range on a scale of one through 10 and judges are trained to use all ten numbers, so a score of ten is attainable. We have elaborated upon a character scoring system developed by the Italian testing committee which scores “Character”, including “Disposition” and “Submission”. This test rates behavior traits like calmness, obedience and trainability-disposition and applies a numerical score. The intent of the committee is to provide information for buyers and breeders as to the behavior and mind set of an animal. Like any scoring or testing procedure with horses, we acknowledge variations in performance. We all have good days and bad. As well there will always be variations in a judge’s perception on any given day. What the evaluation aims to do is to give breeders, buyers and anyone interested in a Haflinger horse an evaluation of the horse’s attitude, trainability and disposition by trained judges, as shown by its performance during the tests. The riding test involves bringing the horse into the arena. A groom or handler may be in attendance to hold the horse. The exhibitor demonstrates picking up all four of the horse’s feet and examining the teeth. The exhibitor then saddles and bridles the horse in the ring. The horse is then asked to perform a test in both directions, including walking, trotting, a canter or lope and a back up. The third segment of the test involves a series of simple obstacles like a back through, crossing poles, turning around in a log box, crossing a simple trail bridge etc. A list of the obstacles is provided a head of time to all exhibitors. The driving test is similar with the horse handled and hitched in the ring. The test includes halting and standing, walk, trot, slow trot in both directions with a circle or figure and a back up and step up. There are similar obstacle tests of a bridge, back up, mail box or figures through cones for the third part of the test. Again, all obstacles are made available ahead of the test. It is important to note that in the temperament tests the judges are not scoring how accurately the horse performed the circle or bridge but rather the horse’s reaction to a request and how he handles new things in a strange situation. If a horse becomes rattled at an obstacle we observe how he recovers or handles the next obstacle. We provide the exhibitor with an accuracy score as well, but that score is not averaged into the total score. Judges are able to make comments and suggestions as to the horse’s training level and performance on the score sheet. We encourage all Haflinger owners to consider becoming a part of this new rating system and challenge them to show how sensible, talented and trainable the Haflinger is! Test Requirements Next testing date is October 22nd, 2010 - Ashland Ohio
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