Horse
Pronunciation:
mar-emm'-man-noe'
Breed Description:
The Maremmano breed of horse, also referred to as the Maremmana, is an Italian breed that was originally developed for roping, herding, and other cattle-related work. While at one time the breed was managed and developed by Italian farmers and cattlemen, the breed has mostly fallen to reproducing on its own, which has actually helped the breed to retain an excellent state of health and fertility. The Maremmano has a slightly large head with curious but sharp eyes and a convex profile. The neck is lean, thin, and rises up sharply from a deep and wide chest. The shoulders are powerful and sloping, meeting broad and muscular withers that are in direct proportion to the short, straight back and sloping croup. The Maremmano horse breed has long and sturdy legs, sometimes short pasterns, excellent joints, and very tough hooves. This breed usually occurs in bay, black, chestnut, gray, and sometimes roan.
Temperament:
The Maremmano horse is a versatile and tough breed. Often used as military, police, and cavalry mounts, the Maremmano has proven its fearless nature repeatedly, while still maintaining the ability to be easily trained in any discipline. Overall the breed is fearless and possesses incredible speed, endurance, and stamina. The Maremmano breed of horse is not overly gentle, as its primary uses of law enforcement and cattle management requires a strong, unrelenting, but obedient breed. The Maremmano is considered loyal and friendly with those people and animals that it knows well, but wary or reserved with those it is unfamiliar with.
Height:
15 hh to 15.3 hh
Health Problems:
Very few health problems affect the Maremmano horse. The development of the breed concentrated on an animal that was hardy and could withstand extremes in temperature and environment. The Maremmano is renowned for being able to navigate even the harshest terrain that other horses would find impossible. Because of this, the Maremmano may be prone to minor abrasions, cuts, lacerations, or sore spots that, if not properly monitored, could become infected and cause secondary problems for the horse. Additionally, because of its fearless nature, the Maremmano may sustain injuries without realizing it or lending any evidence that it has been injured.
Origin:
The Maremmano breed of horse has probably been in various stages of development for 300 years or more, although its exact origins are murky at best. It is known that during the 19th century horses that were used by cattlemen in Italy were refined with various bloodlines, including that of the Thoroughbred, Barb, Arabian, and Neapolitan, among others. The breed is continually being refined to this day, usually with the use of Thoroughbred blood, and the Maremmano itself is being used to develop other breeds. 