|
Italian Saddle Horses |
|
|
Italian Saddle Horses |
As is the case throughout Europe, Italy has been combining and upgrading its breeds of horses in order to develop a single breed of sporthorse. Italians have imported select breeding stock from other European countries, many of which have Thoroughbred bloodlines. Many horses have been imported from France, Germany, and Ireland, as well as from the Netherlands, and Eastern Europe. Salernos, Sicilian and Sardinian Anglo-Arabians, Maremmanos, and Sanfrantellanos are the local Italian breeds represented in the new sporthorse stock.
Developed during the 16th century from Arabian, Barb and Neapolitan horses, the Salerno, or Salernitano, was used extensively as a cavalry mount and is becoming a successful sporthorse today. Arabian and Barb stock from Northern Africa was used to develop both the Sicilian Anglo-Arabian and Sardinian Anglo-Arabian. More than 4,000 brood mares with these Anglo-Arabian bloodlines have been registered for producing producing these new saddle horses. The Sardinian also carries Andalusian influence in its bloodlines. In Tuscany, Thoroughbreds have been used to upgrade the Maramanno breed. Another Sicilian horse, the Sanfrantellano has also been crossed with Thoroughbreds to improved stock. Originating in Messina in Sicily, the Sanfrantellano is popular under harness and saddle.
Since all these breeds differ widely in conformation and use, there is quite a variation in type for the Italian Saddle Horse. In order to be successful, any competition horse must have a relatively light build combined with strength and agility. The average height of the Italian Saddle Horse ranges from 15.3 to 16.2 hands high at the withers, and it can be any solid color. It inherits boldness and intelligence from most of the Italian warmbloods. With its sporthorse personality, the Italian Saddle Horse is increasing in popularity even though the breed is relatively new. Talents for equestrian sports have been inherited from the Anglo-Arabian broodmares. It will be interesting to see just what this amalgam of Italian breeds is capable of once a more uniform type is developed.
Also known as the Anglo-Arab Sardo, this Anglo-Arabian of Arabian, Barb and Andalusian (Spanish Horse) ancestry was once a popular saddle horse in the Sardinian region of Italy. Due to extensive use of its broodmares for foundation stock in establishing the Italian Saddle Horse, numbers of this breed are diminishing or merging into the registry books of the latter.
For more information visit:
|
© 1997-2007
NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/13/2007 |
|
| ||
|
|||||
