Maremma horse

Maremmani horses belong to an indigenous Italian breed that has ancient origins. The Maremmani are traditionally the horses of the butteri (Italian cowboys), responsible for looking after livestock raised in the wild. Due to the habit they have had since birth of moving with ease in any terrain, under the rays of the sun in the summer months or with the rain and icy winds in winter, these horses are hardened and vigorous, firm, elastic in their movements. .
With the establishment of the National Association of Maremma horse breeders in 1979 and with the establishment, the following year, of the studbook, a systematic work of registration and selection began. The proverbial qualities of rusticity, robustness and resistance to even very prolonged fatigue deriving from natural selection needed to continue for generations were not lost.
The Maremmano, a "saddle horse" by definition, has retained its innate ability to overcome obstacles of all kinds. This makes it suitable, as well as for equestrian tourism, also for use in show jumping, as demonstrated by the many successes achieved in equestrian competitions.

In an initial period, the selection concerned the morphology and the health aspect. Since 1993, an aptitude evaluation test has been underway, which is crucial for the approval of stallions. The new regulations for the stud book contain a rule according to which the approval of a Maremma stallion is subject to passing the performance test: an important step on the road to genetic improvement.
For morphological selection, genetic indices relating to height at the withers, chest circumference, shin circumference, shoulder length, and total score are used, available for all breeders and updated annually.
All subjects registered in the Maremma Horse herd book are recognized by MASAF and included in the Italian Sella Section, selected production.