San Fratello Horse
The San Fratello is a hardy breed of Italian light horses that evolved in San Fratello municipality in the region of Sicily. It is sometimes referred to as a wild horse breed as small herds are often seen roaming in the Nebrodi Park in Sicily. Its present population is around 5,000, which makes the graceful San Fratello horse one of the most abundant local equine breeds in Italy.
San Fratello Horse Pictures
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- San Fratello Horse Foal
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- San Fratello Horse Pictures
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- San Fratello Horse
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- San Fratello Horses
Quick Information
| Alternative Names | San Fratellano, Razza di San Fratello |
| Temperament/Personality | Sensitive, kind, friendly, gentle |
| Similar to | Tuscan Horse or Maremmano |
| Physical Characteristics | Muscular and well-built; slightly heavy head with a straight profile; short, straight, and crested neck; medium-sized back that may droop a bit; muscular shoulders, strong legs with solid hooves |
| Colors | Either black or bay |
| Height | 15-16 hands (152-163 cm, 60-64 inches) |
| Weight | 1,100-1,300 lbs (500-590 kg) |
| Common Uses | Riding, packing, light draft work; slaughtered for horse meat; used as military horses in the past |
| Health | No known breed-specific equine health issues |
| Popular Traits | High strength and endurance, easily maintainable |
| Feeding/Diet | Grass and hay; fresh, clean water |
| Country of Origin | Italy |
| Ancestors | Oriental and Thoroughbred bloodlines; Salerno, Nonius, Spanish Anglo-Arab and Anglo-Arab blood were also introduced |
| Year/Time of Development | During the 11th century |
San Fratello Horse Video
History and Development
The origin of San Fratello horses can be traced back to the period when Sicily was conquered by the Normans. At the time, Adelaide del Vasto (a Lombard princess) married Roger I (a Norman nobleman of Sicily). The princess, on her way to Sicily, was accompanied by a group of attendants, advisers, knights and their horses. It is believed that today’s San Fratellano is the descendant of the military horses used by the Lombard knights. This breed was raised to produce a group of tough and robust horses that could carry the weight of fully armored knights with great speed and agility across the rugged terrain. Since then the horses have been bred and developed in the native habitat of Nebrodi mountains in Messina province.
In 1990, the horse breeding association of the Italian government founded an open studbook with the intention of preserving this equine breed. Today, the breeding program of these animals involves careful selection of breeding stocks as well as training of young colts as pack horses.
