Sanfratellano
| Alternative names |
Razza di San Fratello, San Fratello horse |
| Country of origin |
Italy |
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) |
The Sanfratellano (or Razza di San Fratello) is an Italian light horse breed that originated in San Fratello, Sicily. They are a hardy breed that is used for riding, packing, and light draft work.
[edit] History
The Sanfratellano comes from San Fratello, in the Nebrodi mountains in the province of Messina in Sicily. Their native habitat has developed them into a strong, powerful breed known for their endurance. A Lombard Princess, Adelaide del Vasto, married Roger I of Sicily, a Norman Noble, in the 11th century AD. Sicily was ruled by Norman Warlords at the time, and Princess Adelaide del Vasto brought to Sicily her retinue, including a number of knights and their horses. To this day the people of San Fratello speak a lombard language, different from the sicilian dialect of surrounding areas. The Sanfratellano horse is said to have descended from the horses of those knights.
The breed has received infusions of Anglo-Arab, Spanish Anglo-Arab, Salerno (horse) and Nonius blood, although it has remained surprisingly true to type, and resembles no other breed so much as its fellow Italian Maremmano. Breeding stock is carefully selected for propagation of the breed, and most colts are trained young as pack horses[1].
[edit] Breed Characteristics
The San Fratello usually stands between 15 and 16 hands high, and weighs between 1,100 and 1,300 lbs. They are always black or bay. They are muscular, well-built horses that are hardy and frugal[1]. There are approximately 5,000 specimens of this breed (1,800 broodmares) making it one of the most numerous indigenous breeds in Italy.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Bongianni, Maurizio (1988). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies. Simon & Schuster, Inc.. pp. p. 29. ISBN 0-671-66068-3.
[edit] External links
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Horse breeds of Italy
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- These are the horse breeds considered in Italy to be wholly or partly of Italian origin.
Many have complex or obscure histories, so inclusion here does not necessarily imply that a breed is predominantly or exclusively Italian.
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