The breed originates in the north eastern low lands and was mainly emploied in the large farms of the area or in the army for
field artillery. At a later stage the breeding area extended very quickly into
the vast areas of the Centre and the South of Italy.
The Italian Heavy Draught Horse is a considerable bulky race with the adults
weighing between 700 and 900 kg.
The minimum height at the age of 30 months is 146 cm for the female and 150 cm
for the male. The preferred height at withers of adult males is between 156 and
162 cm; for female adult 153-160.
Thanks to the remarkable development and to milking attitude of the mares, foals
can reach a weight of 400 Kg at 7-8 months.
The Italian Draught Horse can be bred in stables or in the wild. Stalled
breeding can be practised in the traditional farms by
simple integration of fences and roofing shelters. Furthermore, this horse
breed is well adapted for breeding in the wild, allowing the use of low-grade
pastureland. It can therefore be considered a valid mean of territorial
control, especially in areas of delicate environmental stability.
Being of docile temperament, the breed is particularly adapted to agricultural
work, with minimum impact on the environment, and can work particularly well in
delicate terrain, such as woods and the like.
The considerable amount of exuberance and energy make it the ideal race for the
horse team enthusiast, giving many and varied possibilities of employment
within the activities of a holiday farm.
A ladder of 5 pegs enclosed by a shield shows the brand of the race. The
subjects listed in the Book are being evaluated for the first at 2/7 months and
subsequently at the age of two and a half years.
The fillies, which pass the first evaluation, are being marked on the left
thigh; if also the second evaluation is positive the subjects are marked on the
neck (on the left).
The National Association, on commission of the Ministry of Agricultural
Politics, cares, with the collaboration of the Provincial Book offices, the
Stud Book, providing technical assistance to the breeders in order to maintain
and improve the race.The National Association
promotes initiatives, which contributes to diffuse the breeding.
For information please contact:
Central Office of the Stud Book
Via Verona 90 – 37068 VIGASIO-VR
Tel +39 045 8201622 - Fax +39 045 8201630
E-mail: info@anacaitpr.it
