The Avelignese originates in the mountainous areas of northern, central and southern Italy. The Avelignese is a bigger Italian version of the Haflinger. The Avelignese has much the same background as the Haflinger with a common ancestor of the Arabian, El Bedavi. The Avelignese is a mountain pony standing on average 14.3hh and used for both draft and pack on farms where larger animals have difficulty working. These ponies are bred mostly in Bolzano and around Tuscany and Venetia. This mountainous environment creates horses that are sure-footed and hardy ensuring the breeds ease to working on the steep mountain slopes.