Salernitano

Geographical and Cultural Origin

The cradle of the breed is located in Campania, around the province of Salerno (southern Italy).

This region, open to the Mediterranean, has always been a crossroads of trade and cultural exchanges, which encouraged the introduction of foreign bloodlines.

Genetic Influences

• Antiquity: presence of Greek and Etruscan horses, used for war and racing.
• Middle Ages: introduction of Barb and Andalusian horses during Spanish rule, bringing robustness and elegance.
• Renaissance: the renowned Neapolitan horse became the foundation of selection.
• 18th – 19th century: introduction of Thoroughbred blood to increase speed and sporting aptitude.

Historical Role

Long regarded as a prestigious cavalry horse, it was widely used by the Neapolitan army.

It was also appreciated by the aristocracy for parades, carousels, and high school riding.

Evolution into a Sport Horse

In the 20th century, the breed was reoriented towards a modern warmblood sport horse. The stud-book (created in 1973) helped to standardize the breed’s characteristics and adapt it to equestrian competitions.

The Salernitano is thus the product of a long Mediterranean crossbreeding, combining Oriental, Spanish, and English horses, shaped by the Neapolitan military and equestrian tradition.

Italian Genetic Heritage

Together with the Murgese, Maremmano, and Sicilian, the Salernitano is one of the major Italian warmbloods.

It has helped shape the modern Italian sport horse, bringing elegance and athletic qualities.

International Influences

As heir to the Neapolitan horse, highly renowned throughout Europe during the Renaissance, it contributed to the creation of many noble breeds (including the Lipizzan, the Andalusian, and some German warmbloods).

Thanks to its mixed heritage (Barb, Andalusian, Thoroughbred), it retains a valuable genetic versatility for the improvement of sport horses.

Contributions to Breeding

Used to enhance speed, suppleness, and elegance in Italian warmblood lines.

Some individuals have been integrated into show jumping and eventing programs at the international level.

Conservation

Its population is reduced, and it is classified as an endangered breed by the FAO and Italian authorities.

The studbook aims to preserve this genetic diversity, which is essential for the future of Italian horse breeding.

The Salernitano is therefore a precious genetic link, both as a witness to the glorious Neapolitan horse and as a resource for modern sport horse breeding.

Antiquity and Ancient Origins

The region of Campania has been a crossroads of Mediterranean exchanges since Antiquity.

The Greeks and later the Romans introduced fast and resilient horses, used for war, chariot racing, and breeding.

Already at that time, horses from this region were known for their endurance and elegance.

Middle Ages and Renaissance: The Prestige of the Neapolitan Horse

Under Norman, Swabian, and later Spanish rule, Campania received many genetic influences:

• Barb horses from North Africa.
• Andalusians imported by the Spanish.

These crosses gave rise to the Neapolitan horse, one of the most famous breeds in Renaissance Europe, valued for war, parades, and high school riding. The Salernitano directly descends from this tradition.

18th – 19th Century: English Influence

During the Kingdom of Naples and Bourbon rule, Thoroughbred blood was introduced to enhance speed and sporting aptitude.

The Salerno horse then specialized as a cavalry and military service horse, sought after for its strength and maneuverability.

20th Century: Decline and Safeguard

After the unification of Italy and the modernization of cavalry, demand for this type of horse collapsed. The Salernitano came close to extinction.

In the 1970s, the Italian state created the official studbook (1973) to protect the breed and organize its selection.

Contemporary Era

Today, the Salernitano is oriented towards sport disciplines (show jumping, eventing, dressage). Its population remains limited, making it a rare and precious breed. Cultural and tourism projects aim to reinforce its image as a heritage horse of Campania.

The history of the Salernitano mirrors that of many Mediterranean breeds: born of ancient crossings, glorified in the great European courts, then threatened by modernization, it now seeks a renaissance between sport and tradition.

General Temperament

A lively, intelligent, and attentive horse.

Shows strong reactivity and sensitivity, inherited from its Oriental and Thoroughbred origins.

Under Saddle

With a natural courage, it is straightforward in its movements.

Highly maneuverable, making it a good sport horse.

It can be impulsive and requires an experienced rider to fully express its potential.

Relationship with Humans

Loyal and affectionate when well treated.

Good learning ability, adapts to modern training methods.

Its intelligence can sometimes make it stubborn, requiring patient and consistent training.

Natural Abilities

Energetic and enduring, it thrives on sustained work.

Very comfortable in jumping and tasks requiring agility.

Versatile: from high-level sport to leisure riding, provided the rider is experienced.

"The Salernitano is a sporty, brave, and sensitive horse, ideal for passionate riders seeking both elegance and performance."

Main Current Breeding Zones

• Province of Salerno – historic cradle and core of breeding.
• Province of Naples – sport-oriented breeding farms.
• Province of Avellino – mountainous areas with some traditional studs.

Studs and Breeding Centers

Some breeders are affiliated with the Associazione Italiana Allevatori (AIA) and local cooperatives in Campania.

The national studbook is managed centrally, but the bloodlines remain concentrated mainly in the Salerno region.

Diffusion Outside the Cradle

Very limited distribution outside Italy, though some individuals have been exported to Europe for sport and genetic purposes.

The breed remains strongly rooted in Campania, which explains its rarity.

The Salernitano is thus a breed deeply anchored in its homeland, with breeding still concentrated in Campania, especially in Salerno province.

Conservation and Safeguard

The breed is considered endangered: the population is small (a few hundred animals recorded).

Italian authorities, together with the AIA (Associazione Italiana Allevatori), support conservation programs to avoid extinction.

The priority is to maintain genetic variability and increase the number of foals.

Sporting Development

The Salernitano has strong potential in show jumping and eventing.

With better selection programs, it could regain a role on the international sport horse circuit.

Its elegance and maneuverability are also valuable in dressage.

Cultural and Touristic Valorization

As an emblematic breed of Campania, it can be promoted through tourism projects linking heritage, tradition, and sport.

Its history, as heir to the prestigious Neapolitan horse, represents a strong cultural asset for the region.

Future Outlook

If supported by promotion campaigns and breeding incentives, the breed could:

• Regain an international niche in sport.
• Be valued as a living Italian heritage.
• Serve as a genetic reservoir for improving other European warmbloods.

The future of the Salernitano thus depends on a balance between heritage conservation and sport revival, transforming its rarity into a strategic asset.

General Robustness

The Salernitano comes from a solid genetic foundation (Barb, Andalusian, Thoroughbred), giving it a strong constitution.

Adapted to the Mediterranean climate, it tolerates heat and dry terrains well.

It has good longevity, often working effectively into its 20s and beyond with proper care.

Strengths

• Solid bone structure and resistant hooves, well-suited to rocky soils.
• Natural endurance, few respiratory problems in its native region.
• Rarely affected by severe genetic diseases, thanks to careful selection since the studbook’s creation.

Points to Watch

• Like many warmbloods with strong Thoroughbred influence, it may present some joint sensitivity (tendinitis, limb issues) if pushed too young or too hard in sport.
• Requires careful feeding management to avoid excess energy and maintain balanced musculature.
• Reduced population = risk of inbreeding → emphasizes the need for genetic conservation programs.

Breeding and Care Recommendations

• Provide progressive training to protect tendons and joints.
• Favor a balanced diet adapted to sporting activity.
• Regular veterinary check-ups and osteopathic follow-ups recommended to optimize performance.

Overall, the Salernitano is a robust and healthy horse, but one that requires attentive management, especially if aimed at high-level sport.