Free State of Thuringia offers Haflinger herd from Dornburg Stud Farm: 46 horses to be sold together

46 Haflingers from Thuringia, mares, stallions, foals, young horses from three years and a gelding, are looking for a new owner. The Free State of Thuringia is offering for sale the entire herd of noble-blood Haflingers, which is based at the Dornburg stud farm.

These Haflingers were once the pride of the country: Mated with thoroughbred Arabians, the herd represents an important genetic reserve for the breeding of “noble blood Haflingers”. In 2023, the red-red-green government in the Thuringian state parliament decided to sell the stud farm in Dornburg. The costs, around 370,000 euros per year, were no longer justifiable, argued the state politicians.

Haflinger herd is looking for a new owner

The Haflinger horses are kept at the Thuringian Training, Testing and Experimental Farm in Dornburg. The responsible authority is the State Office for Agriculture and Rural Areas (TLLLR). Anyone wishing to purchase the horses must invest at least 162,197 euros, including VAT. This is the starting bid for the 13 broodmares, four stallions and their offspring.

An exposé lists every single horse. Premium foals, show winners – breeding silverware.

It is not only the money that should decide the whereabouts of the herd. Prospective buyers must provide proof of qualifications in the horse sector. In addition, a utilization concept that includes the continuation of the stud farm must be submitted (see below for details).

The Thuringian Haflinger

Haflinger breeding in Thuringia was founded in 1956. At that time, the GDR acquired seven broodmares, a filly and a stallion in Tyrol. The horses were initially kept in Jena-Zwätzen at the university’s former teaching and research farm. Many of the state stud stallions at Moritzburg State Stud were bred in Thuringia. The herd only came to Dornburg in 1999.

Summary of the conditions of sale

On its homepage, the State Office for Agriculture and Rural Areas defines the key data that potential buyers must meet:

Breeding and cultural-historical significance of the herd

The Dornburg Haflinger Stud is a leading breeding farm with important mare families and participates in nationwide breeding projects. The herd is of central importance for the preservation and further development of the noble blood Haflinger breed.

Example: The herd is part of the project “Improvement cross with Arabian thoroughbred”, which is necessary for the continuation of the breed.

Purchase price and assumption of costs

The minimum expected purchase price is €162,197 including 19% VAT. All costs of acquiring ownership shall be borne by the buyer, unless otherwise stipulated in the purchase contract.

Example: Notary and land registry costs as well as taxes are to be paid by the buyer.

Qualification requirements for the buyer

The buyer must provide proof of certain qualifications in the agricultural or equine sector (e.g. degree in agricultural economics, specialist course in horse keeping or several years of work in agriculture). This evidence can be submitted at a later date until the purchase contract is concluded.

Example: A certificate of competence in accordance with §§ 2 and 11 of the Animal Welfare Act is required for the commercial handling of horses.

Concept for further use

An informative concept for the further use of the Haflinger herd must be submitted with the purchase bid. This concept is for the seller’s information only and will not be evaluated together with the purchase bid.

Example: The concept should describe the planned breeding, use and, if applicable, touristic or sporting use of the herd.

Legal assurances and exclusion of extremist aspirations

In the purchase contract, the buyer must guarantee that neither he nor associated persons/organizations are involved in extremist activities or belong to such organizations (Section 4 (1) BVerfSchG).

Example: The buyer undertakes not to hand over the herd to third parties who act against the free and democratic basic order.

These five points are essential for making a decision and preparing a purchase offer and should be considered at every subsequent step.