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By Smith Northam

Last updated: 23rd March 2018

Maremmano Horse

By

Smith Northam
Last updated: 23rd March 2018

The Maremmano Horse is a breed of Italian horses that was bred in Tuscany and was used on the cattle ranches.  Owing to their calm and trainable nature, these horses are also being used by the police and the army and police presently. They are also popular for their gait, good looks, solidity and capability to adapt themselves to any kind of weather and terrain. These are amazing, well-muscled, majestic horses that have the influences of a few other breeds, including the Thoroughbred. The Marammano horses make good all round riding horses.

Maremmano Horse Pictures

Quick Information

Other Names/Nicknames Tuscan Horse
Behavioral Characteristics Docile disposition, obedient temperament; amiable, loyal, intelligent, easily trainable
Physical Descriptions/Traits Long, moderately-heavy head, muscular neck getting broad at the base; high, well-muscled withers; full chest with sloping shoulders; short back with a sloping croup; they have solid legs and a sturdy structure with good joints and strong hooves
Colors Gray, brown, black, roan
Common Uses Work, general riding, endurance
Lifespan/Expectancy 30-31 years
Weight 1047 pounds
Height (size) 15.3 hands
Health Problems The breed is generally healthy. No breed-specific health issues. Owners must ensure to maintain a healthy lifestyle and regular vet checkups
Movements Even, energetic trots with long strides
Blood Type Warm-blooded
Ancestors (Bloodlines) Thoroughbreds, Norfolk Roadsters
Popular Traits Versatile, strong and hardy, easily trainable
Feeding/Diet General horse diet consisting of hay, grass, grains, vegetables, etc.
Country of Origin Italy

Video: Maremmano Horse

History and Development

The origin of the Maremmano horses is shrouded in darkness. Though, strong evidences suggest that these horses are probably the descendants of the North African horses that were developed on Barb, Neapolitan, Arabian, and Spanish blood.

During the time of the ancient Etruscans, these horses originated in the Maremma region of Tuscany and Lazio for the very first time. Since then, until the nineteenth century, these equines have maintained their original characteristics like being strong, squat and skittish.

Back in the sixteenth century, the Neapolitan horses were made famous by Federico Grisone, the founder of the Neapolitan riding academy. Grisone is considered as the first great classical riding master only after Greek rider, Xenophon. In about 1870, this breed began to be crossed with other horses that are docile and more lightly-built.

While the first few Maremmano horses were pure, but probably, it was much later in the 19th century that the other bloods like the Thoroughbred, Norfolk Roadster etc. were introduced into this breed. These new bloods were added in order to increase its size, but some of the original heartiness of the breed was scarified.

A performance test to evaluate and approve the breeding of mares and stallions for the first time was introduced by the Italian Association of Breeders of Maremmano Horses (originally, Associazione Italiana Allevatori Cavallo di razza Maremmana).

Interesting Facts

  • In the year 1902, a stallion named Fauno was born in San Rossore, Versilia, in Tuscany, at the Royal Stables. This horse was produced by crossing an English Thoroughbred, and is considered as the first of the so-called “new generation” Maremmano horse.
  • These horses are the traditional mounts of the cattle men of Maremma who are known as butteri, who also use these equines for light draft work.

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