Murgese

Native horse of southern Italy

The Murgese originates from Apulia, and more specifically from the Murge plateau, a karstic region with rugged terrain and harsh climate. This environment shaped a hardy, enduring and frugal horse, able to adapt to arid soils and poor pastures.

Heritage of Spanish and Oriental crosses

The breed developed from the 15th century, through the crossing of local horses with Andalusian horses introduced by the Spaniards, as well as North African Barbs. These influences gave the Murgese its characteristic black coat, its robustness, and its Oriental elegance.

A horse of knights and armies

During Spanish domination and the Italian Renaissance, the Murgese was highly valued as a cavalry horse. Its strength and agility made it ideal for combat, but also for the parade of condottieri and nobles.

Cultural symbol and living heritage

Even today, the Murgese is regarded as a symbol of identity for Apulia, much like the Tuscan butteri with their Maremmano horses. Preserved by local associations and an official stud-book since the 20th century, it embodies the equestrian heritage of southern Italy.

Region of origin

Southern Italy, Apulia region (Puglia). More precisely: the Murge limestone plateau (hence the name Murgese), a territory located between the provinces of Bari, Taranto and Brindisi.

Geographical conditions

• Relief: arid high plateaus, calcareous and rocky soils, with vast dry pastures.
• Climate: semi-arid Mediterranean (hot summers, mild but windy winters), which shaped the breed’s hardiness.
• Vegetation: scrubland, maquis, scattered holm oaks, poor grasslands suitable for extensive grazing.

Historical cradle

Bred since the Middle Ages in the Murge massif (notably Alta Murgia, now a national park). Formerly used in latifundia (large estates of the Kingdom of Naples) for fieldwork and transport. The military and civil stud farms of Andria, Altamura and Martina Franca played a crucial role in its preservation during the 20th century.

Current breeding zone

Still concentrated in Apulia, especially in the provinces of:

• Bari (Andria, Altamura, Gravina in Puglia)
• Taranto (Martina Franca, Massafra)
• Brindisi (Fasano, Cisternino, Ostuni)

The Murgese horse is today recognized as a regional zootechnical heritage and benefits from conservation programs managed by the Associazione Regionale Allevatori della Puglia (ARA Puglia).

Recent diffusion

Some breeding outside Apulia, notably in Campania and Basilicata, but the historical nucleus remains in the Murge. Limited presence abroad (Germany, Switzerland, Austria), often as dressage or leisure horses.

Influence on other European breeds

• Lipizzan: several historical sources indicate that horses from the Murge contributed to the formation of the Lipizzan in the 16th century, notably through black stallions imported into the imperial stud farms of the Habsburgs.
• Modern Andalusian: due to its Iberian roots (crosses with Spanish horses during the Aragonese era), the Murgese shares a close genetic base with the Andalusian horse. It is considered a “southern variety” that has preserved ancient traits.
• Military horses of Central Europe: its hardiness, strong bone structure and black coat influenced the cavalry of Mediterranean kingdoms and, indirectly, certain lines of war horses used further north.

Dominant black coat gene

The Murgese is one of the few breeds that are entirely black or blue-black (rarely iron-grey). The fixation of this uniform genetic heritage made it a model of coat selection, used in other breeding programs.

Model of Mediterranean hardiness

Resistant to heat, rocky soils and frugal feeding, the Murgese provides a genetic reservoir of robustness. It is sought after in crossbreeding to reinforce longevity, endurance and feed efficiency in more fragile lines.

Preservation of ancient lines

The breed retains morphological traits close to the Renaissance cavalry horse: powerful neck, slightly convex profile, aptitude for collection. Its genetic heritage is seen as a living testimony of the Iberian-Oriental crosses of the Aragonese and Spanish era.

Current role in equine biodiversity. In Italy, the Murgese is listed among protected native breeds and benefits from active conservation. Its stud-book (created in 1926, official since 1948) maintains a stable population of several thousand heads, making it a genetic resource available for European programs aimed at preserving equine diversity.

The Murgese is both an heir of the Iberian-Oriental tradition and a donor of robustness and black coat genes. It influenced the Lipizzan and, indirectly, the modern Andalusian, and today remains a strategic Mediterranean genetic reservoir.

Ancient origins

The Murgese takes its name from the Murge plateau in Apulia (southern Italy). As early as Antiquity, Apulia was known for providing robust horses to the Roman and Byzantine armies. In the Middle Ages, Norman and Swabian rulers (11th–13th centuries) encouraged horse breeding in the region, introducing Oriental horses (Arabs and Barbs) crossed with local stock.

15th–16th century: golden age of the Murgese

Under Aragonese and Spanish rule, the Murge became a strategic breeding center. Crosses with Andalusian horses reinforced the type, giving rise to a black, strong and agile horse. The Murgese was then highly prized as a cavalry horse in the Kingdom of Naples.

It was valued for:

• its robustness on rocky terrain,
• its versatility (warfare, farm work, transport),
• its spectacular black coat, sought after for military horses.

European genetic influence

In the 16th century, Murgese horses were exported to the Habsburg Empire, where they contributed to the formation of the Lipizzan. Their genetic imprint can also be found in some Andalusian lines and other European cavalry horses.

Decline after the cavalry era

With the end of military use of horses (18th–19th centuries), the Murgese lost importance. It was maintained as a farm work horse in the latifundia of Apulia, mainly for plowing and pack work. Without organized selection, the breed suffered genetic dilution and nearly disappeared in the early 20th century.

Modern revival (20th century)

In the 1920s, preservation initiatives were launched in the stud farms of Andria, Altamura and Martina Franca.

• 1926: start of modern selection programs.
• 1948: official opening of the Murgese stud-book.

Breeders succeeded in fixing the current traits:

• homogeneous black coat,
• powerful yet elegant build,
• aptitude for dressage and outdoor work.

The Murgese today

Recognized as a heritage breed of Apulia, it has become a regional symbol. Used in working equitation, trekking, driving and baroque dressage. Its population remains limited (a few thousand individuals), but well protected thanks to the efforts of the Associazione Italiana Allevatori Cavallo Murgese e Asino di Martina Franca and regional stud farms.

General temperament

• Balanced and calm: the Murgese is renowned for its great emotional stability, inherited from its history as a work and cavalry horse.
• Docile and easy to handle: cooperative with humans, well suited for both family and professional use.
• Intelligent: learns quickly, explaining its aptitude for classical and baroque dressage.

Relationship with humans

• Close to people, with loyalty and trust often emphasized by breeders.
• Highly valued for its maneuverability under saddle and willing attitude at work.
• High adaptability, making it an ideal partner for equestrian tourism and group activities.

Energy and gaits

• Lively horse without excessive nervousness: combines energy and control.
• Smooth, collected gaits, inherited from its Iberian-Oriental heritage, sometimes reminiscent of the Andalusian or Lusitano.
• Capable of a long, steady walk, energetic trot and balanced canter, making it a good horse for trekking and performance.

Instincts and social behavior

Traditionally raised in semi-freedom on the Murge plateau, the Murgese has preserved a strong herd instinct and good sociability with other horses. Its hardiness and endurance make it tolerant of extensive living conditions.

Adaptability

• Able to work on difficult terrains (rocky, dry, uneven) without losing reliability.
• Resistant to stress: adapts well to changes of environment, making it suitable for shows, competitions and tourism.

Conservation and safeguarding

The Murgese is listed among protected Italian native breeds, with an active stud-book (1926, official since 1948). The population is relatively stable (a few thousand heads) but remains fragile due to the geographic concentration of breeding. Programs by the ARA Puglia and the Associazione Italiana Allevatori Cavallo Murgese e Asino di Martina Franca support genetic preservation.

Development in modern riding

• Classical dressage: the Murgese retains remarkable collection abilities, inherited from its Iberian-Oriental past. Several Italian schools promote its use in dressage.
• Equestrian tourism: its hardiness, elegant black coat and endurance in difficult terrain make it sought after for trekking, especially in Apulia and Mediterranean regions.
• Driving: thanks to its power and docility, it is also valued in traditional and leisure driving.

Cultural and heritage value

The Murgese is increasingly presented as a symbol of identity for Apulia, comparable to the Lipizzan for Slovenia or the Camargue for Provence. The development of regional tourism (Alta Murgia National Park, cultural and gastronomic routes) offers opportunities to combine heritage, tourism and the Murgese horse.

International prospects

Limited diffusion abroad, but with niche potential in:

• Germany, Austria, Switzerland: as rustic dressage and leisure horse.
• France and Spain: possible rapprochement with classical and baroque dressage schools.

A better international communication strategy could increase the visibility of the Murgese as a Mediterranean elite breed.

Challenges and threats

• Geographic concentration → vulnerability to diseases or local economic crises.
• Competition from Iberian breeds (Andalusian, Lusitano) already occupying the baroque dressage market.
• Need to renew its image beyond its traditional rural role, to attract a broader public.

Future opportunities

• Position the Murgese as a “Mediterranean Black Lipizzan”, combining elegance, robustness and history.
• Develop European programs for genetic preservation and cultural promotion (UNESCO label, intangible heritage linked to horses).

The Murgese has a secure future as a protected breed, but its international recognition is yet to be built. Its main asset: a robust, black, elegant horse full of history, capable of becoming a Mediterranean icon on par with the Andalusian or the Lipizzan.

General hardiness

The Murgese is considered one of the most robust breeds of Italy. Its natural selection in the harsh conditions of the Murge limestone plateau (hot climate, poor soils, frugal diet) shaped a horse that is:

• enduring,
• frugal (low feeding requirements),
• resistant to common diseases.

Longevity and endurance

• Lifespan often above average: many Murgese horses remain active beyond 25 years.
• Excellent resistance to fatigue and fast recovery after effort, making it suitable for trekking and long working sessions.

Possible health issues

Although generally robust, some precautions are worth noting:

• Obesity: as a frugal breed, excessive rich feeding can cause overweight.
• Joint problems: like many solidly built horses (short back, strong bone structure), intensive overwork can lead to joint pain or arthritis with age.
• Dermatology: the dominant black coat can sometimes show sun sensitivity (fading, sunburn on coat and skin).

Health advantages

• Rarely affected by respiratory or metabolic diseases, thanks to its adaptation to poor environments.
• Less prone to internal or external parasites compared to finer breeds.
• Good fertility and ease of reproduction, favoring herd sustainability.

Breeding and care recommendations

• Ideal lifestyle: semi-free breeding, with access to pastures and natural movement (close to its original conditions).
• Feeding: favor a simple diet (hay + grass) and limit concentrates.
• Care: regular hoof care (calcareous soils of the Murge wear the horn naturally, but on modern soils trimming must be adapted).
• Prevention: standard veterinary care (vaccines, deworming) without specific needs.