Continent: Europe
Country: Italy
Weight: 500 – 650 kg
Height: 155 – 170 cm
Group of butteri parading at the 2014 Fieracavalli, as part of a Maremmian heritage process. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Justlettersandnumbers
Head of a bridled and working Maremmian, showing pangaric discolorations. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - BS Thurner Hof
The Maremmano is an indigenous Italian horse breed, whose cradle lies in the Maremma, a vast coastal natural region shared between Tuscany and Lazio. Until the 19th century, the Maremma was a marshy and unhealthy area, plagued by malaria, and progressively reclaimed through major hydraulic works.
In this harsh territory lived the butteri, the herdsmen, who needed a rustic, enduring, and agile horse to work with semi-wild cattle (notably the Maremmana breed).
The Maremmano is therefore the result of a demanding natural selection, shaped by a harsh environment and functional needs, which explains its great hardiness and endurance.
The Maremmano originates from the Maremma, a vast coastal region located between Tuscany and northern Lazio.
It is here that the butteri (Italian cattle herders) shaped the breed, in a harsh environment of marshes, hills, and dry pastures.
The horses are traditionally raised in semi-freedom, in large herds on extensive pastures.
Foals remain free until breaking-in, ensuring rusticity and mental balance.
Today, breeding the Maremmano is closely linked to the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the Maremma, and contributes to the local economy (equestrian tourism, working equitation, extensive cattle farming).
The Maremmano represents one of the most emblematic Italian breeds, alongside the Italian Lipizzan and the Sanfratellano.
It is considered the indigenous horse of Tuscany and Lazio, deeply linked to the cultural identity of the butteri.
Selected for centuries in harsh living conditions, it carries genes of hardiness, fertility, and endurance, precious for breeding.
Its natural resistance to disease and its adaptation to hot and humid climates make it interesting for improving breeds working in difficult environments.
Historically used in crossbreeding programs to bring robustness and longevity to other Italian and Mediterranean horses.
Crosses with the Thoroughbred produced the Maremmano migliorato, better suited for sport (jumping, eventing).
Registered as a closed studbook breed since 1980, the Maremmano is now protected and promoted.
Classified by the FAO among the local animal genetic resources to be preserved, its conservation contributes to European equine genetic diversity.
The Maremmano therefore constitutes a unique genetic reservoir: a robust working horse, capable of providing endurance, strength, and adaptability to modern crossbreeding, while preserving an Italian cultural and historical heritage.
The horses of Tuscany and Lazio were already mentioned in Antiquity, used by the Etruscans and Romans for war and transport.
From the Middle Ages, these robust horses were employed by the butteri, the cattle herders, for managing Maremmana cattle and free-ranging herds.
The maritime position of Tuscany encouraged genetic contributions:
The Maremmano was widely used by the Italian cavalry, valued for its courage, toughness, and endurance in campaigns.
From the 19th century, crosses with the Thoroughbred produced the Maremmano migliorato (“improved”), taller, more elegant, and suitable for modern sports.
Despite this, the traditional rustic type was preserved for the work of the butteri.
Until the 1950s, it remained the workhorse of rural Tuscany and Lazio.
In 1980, the official studbook (Libro Genealogico del Cavallo Maremmano) was created, ensuring conservation of the breed.
The ANAM (Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Cavallo Maremmano) took charge of selection and promotion.
The Maremmano is today showcased in cultural events linked to the butteri (equestrian shows, rural festivals).
At the same time, it is promoted as a horse for leisure, tourism, working equitation, and eventing.
The breed has become a symbol of Tuscany and Lazio, alongside the Maremmana cattle.
The Maremmano perfectly illustrates the evolution of a rustic working horse into a heritage and versatile breed, combining cultural legacy with modern adaptation.
The Maremmano is therefore a courageous, docile, and people-oriented horse, valued both for traditional work and for modern leisure and sport riding.
Its profile as a solid, reliable, people-oriented horse makes it attractive for export to countries seeking dependable horses for leisure, trekking, and cattle work (Latin America, Eastern Europe). In summary, the Maremmano has a promising future if it manages to balance the preservation of its traditional identity with its promotion in modern disciplines and equestrian tourism.
The Maremmano is renowned for its great hardiness and solid constitution.
Historically raised in semi-freedom, it has an excellent natural resistance to disease and harsh conditions (hot climate, rugged terrain).
Its hard, well-formed hooves allow it to work on hard or stony ground without major lameness problems.
A slow-maturing breed: it reaches full development at 6–7 years, but can remain active until 20 years and beyond.
Its longevity is an economic advantage for breeders and users.
Like other rustic breeds with reduced populations, it may suffer from inbreeding, hence the importance of good lineage management within the studbook.
No major genetic diseases have been identified, unlike in more specialized breeds.
The only caution concerns dietary transitions: accustomed to coarse forage, it may be sensitive to overly rich diets.
Overall, the Maremmano is a robust, healthy, and durable horse, requiring little special care but demanding careful genetic management to avoid population bottlenecks.
