Tolfetano

Tolfetano

A working Tolfetano carrying his breeder
Country of origin	Italy, native to Lazio
Breed standards
Associazione Italiana Allevatori	Breed standards
Horse (Equus ferus caballus)

The Tolfetano or Cavallo Tolfetano is a breed of horse from the northern part of the Lazio region of Italy. It is indigenous to the Monti della Tolfa range of hills which lie within the Maremma Laziale, and which give the breed its name. The harsh terrain and limited resources of the area are thought to have contributed to the resistant and frugal nature of the breed.^[1]

The Tolfetano is one of the fifteen indigenous horse "breeds of limited distribution" recognised by the AIA, the Italian breeders' association.^[2] At the end of 2008 it was present in 15 Italian provinces, with a total registered population of 1085.^[3]

History

The horse is thought to represent the original version of the better known "Maremmano", before the introduction of Thoroughbred blood in the Maremmano breed.

According to some the Tolfetano derives from Mongolian horses that found their way into Italy following the hordes of Bulgarian invaders who accompanied the Lombards in their conquest of the northern half of Italy. According to others it originated as a mixture of indigenous horses, barb horses and Spanish horses.

Whatever the origin the Tolfetano of today is a working horse, the favorite mounts of the local cowboys (called "Butteri" in Italian) in the "Maremma Laziale".

Breed Characteristics

The Tolfetano's physique is stockier than its Maremmano cousin and is well-suited to carry weight. Most Tolfetanos stand 145 centimetres (14.1 hands) to 158 centimetres (15.2 hands) and have a cannon bone circumference of 20 centimetres (7.9 in)

See also

• Cavallo Romano della Maremma Laziale
• Maremmano

References

External links

• Tolfetano national Horse Society
• Tolfetano Horse Association
• Tolfetano Stallion

v t e Horse breeds of Italy These are the horse breeds considered 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. Avelignese or Haflinger Bardigiano Calabrese horse Catria horse Cavallo Romano della Maremma Laziale Esperia Pony Giara horse Italian Heavy Draft or Rapid Heavy Draft Italian Trotter Lipizzano Maremmano Monterufolino Murgese Neapolitan horse Noriker horse Pentro horse Persano horse Purosangue Orientale Salerno horse Samolaco horse San Fratello horse Sarcidano horse Sardinian Anglo-Arab Sella Italiano Siciliano indigeno Tolfetano Ventasso horse For additional breeds of horse please see the List of horse breeds

v t e Equine Equine science and management Equine anatomy Equine nutrition Horse behavior Horse care Horse breeding Horse genome Equine conformation Equine coat color Horse gait Equestrianism and sport Glossary of equestrian terms List of Equestrian Sports Horse tack Bit Bridle Saddle Harness English riding Western riding Driving Horse training Horse racing Equestrian at the Summer Olympics (medalists, venues) Horse show Equitation Evolution and history Domestication of the horse Horses in warfare Horses in the Middle Ages Horses in East Asian warfare History of the horse in South Asia Horses in the Napoleonic Wars Horses in World War I Horses in World War II History of the horse in Britain Horse worship Horse burial Horse breeds, types and other Equidae Horses List of horse breeds Draft horse Feral horse Gaited horse Mountain and moorland pony breeds Sport horse Stock horse Warmblood Wild horse Other Equus List of donkey breeds Donkey Zebra Onager Hybrids Hinny Mule Zebroid Category Commons WikiProject Portal