Post by Outcast on Apr 20, 2008 10:59:31 GMT -5
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MURGESE
Basic Information
The Murgese horse, also known as the Murghese or Murge Horse originated in the Murge, Apulia area of Italy during the Spanish rule, and were developed from Barb and Arabian horses. They are a hardy breed that is used mainly for cross-country riding, although they have also been used for light draft work.
History
The Murgese breed originated in Italy during the period of Spanish rule in that country. It is thought that they were developed by crossing Barb and Arabian horses imported by the Count of Conversano with native horse, Neopolitan, Avelignese and Italian Heavy Draft blood. The breed was extremely popular, especially with the Italian cavalry, during the 15th and 16th centuries, but then declined in numbers until it was almost extinct. The present day Murgese breed was developed from horses selected in 1926, when the herdbook was established, and is possibly a more refined version of the original Murgese horse. Until selection began in 1926 there were very diverse physical characteristics within the breed due to lack of breeding regulations. The original horses selected to revitalize the Murgese breed were a group of 46 mares and 9 stallions. The original center for selective breeding was the Institute for the Improvement of Horse Populations (then known as the Stallion Stud), where three foundation stallions, Nerone, Granduca, and Araldo delle Murge, formed the main bloodlines of the breed today. The Association of Breeders of the Murge Horse and the Donkey of Martina Franca (ANAMF) was founded in 1948 to protect the Murgese breed. In 1990 the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry established the Anagraphic Register to record equine groups identifiable as individual breeds, which included the Murgese. As of 2005, the Murgese population numbers more than 1500 breeding animals, including 1080 mares, 107 stallions and 350 foals. Before registration, all animals are blood typed, and in 2004, an extensive study was performed to analyze the amount of inbreeding present in the Murgese breed and concluded that the amount of inbreeding was within acceptable levels.
Characteristics
The Murgese breed generally stands 14 to 15 hands high, and may be black, gray with black points or brown (a variant on bay). The head is light, with a straight or slightly convex profile, a broad forehead and sometimes a prominent jaw. The neck is sturdy and broad at the base, the withers pronounced, the chest well-developed and the shoulders sloping. The back is sometimes hollow and the croup is long and broad and can be either flat or sloping. The legs are strong with large joints. They are quite similar to the Friesian horse.
Many Murgese horses are bred and raised in a semi-wild herd state in the scrubby grazing land and hilly woodland of Murge, living outside year round and foraging for food. This has made them extremely hardy and resistant to many diseases.
Uses
Murgese horses are generally used for trekking and cross-country riding, although they have also traditionally been used for farm work and light draft work. They are still popular on small farms where they are sought for their multi-purpose usefulness. They are often crossed with Thoroughbreds to produce better riding stock
AZTECA
Basic Information
The Azteca is a modern horse breed combining three different bloodlines including the Iberian horse blood, specifically Andalusian and Lusitano breeds, the American Quarter Horse and Criollo (horse) bloodlines (International Registry). Specific combinations of these three breeds make up the Azteca breed from Azteca A to Azteca F based on the crossbreeding table.
The horses are very good at all sports which require agility, power, spirit, strength, and speed. This includes charreria, classical riding, dressage, bull fighting, cutting, reining, team penning, polo, pleasure riding, and driving.
The Azteca horse was developed in Mexico and is now considered the official horse of Mexico.
Breeding
Strict breeding codes ensure the success of the breed. The crossbreedings have been scientifically researched to combine only the best of each breed.
The horses are inspected twice in their lives: at seven months to obtain a birth certificate, and again at three years of age, to get their registration certificate as breeding stock. The registry attaches the letters A, B, C, D, E, and F to their horses as identification as to their proportions of each breed. The letters are only used for breeding purposes to help the breeders choose horses to produce offspring that are no more than 3/4 Andalusian or Quarter Horse. The "A" level is the most desirable.
Azteca A Registration:
Azteca A crossed with another Azteca A
Azteca C crossed with an Andalusian (foal with 5/8 Spanish, 3/8 Quarter Horse)
Quarter Horse and Azteca C cross (foal 3/8 Spanish, 1/2 Quarter Horse, 1/8 Criollo)
Quarter Horse and Azteca B cross (foal 3/8 Spanish, 5/8 Quarter Horse)
Azteca B and Azteca F cross (foal 5/8 Spanish, 1/8 Quarter Horse, 1/4 Criollo)
Azteca C and Azteca F cross (foal 3/8 Spanish, 3/8 Quarter Horse, 1/4 Criollo)
Azteca D and Azteca F cross (foal 1/2 Spanish, 1/4 Quarter Horse, 1/4 Criollo)
Azteca B and Azteca C cross (foal 1/2 Spanish, 1/2 Quarter Horse)
Azteca B and Azteca D cross (foal 5/8 Spanish, 3/8 Quarter Horse)
Azteca C and Azteca D cross (foal 3/8 Spanish, 5/8 Quarter Horse)
Azteca C and Azteca E cross (foal 5/8 Spanish, 3/8 Quarter Horse)
Azteca D and Azteca E cross (foal 1/2 Spanish, 3/8 Quarter Horse, 1/8 Criollo)
Azteca B Registration:
Andalusian and Azteca D cross (foal 3/4 Andalusian, 1/4 Quarter Horse)
Azteca C Registration:
Quarter Horse and Azteca D cross (foal 1/4 Andalusian, 3/4 Quarter Horse)
Azteca D Registration:
Andalusian stallion and Quarter Horse mare cross (foal 1/2 Andalusian, 1/2 Quarter Horse)
Azteca E Registration:
Andalusian stallion and Azteca F mare cross (foal 3/4 Spanish, 1/4 Criollo)
Azteca F Registration:
Andalusian and Criollo cross (foal 1/4 Spanish, 1/4 Criollo)
Characteristics
Aztecas may not be any smaller than 14.3 hh, but any solid coat color is permitted. Ideally, the horse is a balance of both breeds, being not too tall and lean, nor too short and stocky. The elegant and aristocratic head has a straight or slightly convex profile, with small, well-pricked ears, and expressive eyes. The neck is well muscled and slightly arched. Withers are medium to sharp, and the horse has a straight, fairly short back, and a broad, round croup. The mane and tail are flowing and the tail is set low. The girth is deep and full, with a minimum circumference of 6 ft. and the shoulder is long and sloping. The Azteca has well mucled cannons with good joints, however, the cannons are long and thin. The bone density should favor the Spanish ancestry rather than the Quarter Horse.
The horses have naturally collected movement with medium high action and excellent tracking. They are spirited and proud.
The horses are gentle and willing, and are especially trainable and eager to work. They are alert, proud, and courageous. and At three years of age, both males and females should be 14.2-16 hh. Females must never be smaller than 14.3 hh when full-grown, males must be taller than 15 hh. The breed generally does not exceed 15.2 hh.
History
This modern breed was developed in Mexico in 1972, as it was thought that Mexico, the country where Charreria was born, needed its own horse breed. The new breed was born mainly through the efforts of Mexican organizations such as: La Secretaría de Agricultura y Recursos Hidráulicos, la Asociación Mexicana de Criadores de Caballos de Raza Azteca, el Centro de Reproducción Caballar Domecq, and Casa Pedro Domecq. The breed is rapidly growing in popularity, enough to challenge the Mexican Criollo.
The International Azteca Horse Association was formed in 1992 to oversee the breed. Affiliated associations in the United States and Canada soon followed. Currently, 1000 Azteca are registered with the IAzHA.
MAREMMANO
Basic Information
Maremmano horses, also known as Maremmanas or Tuscan Horses,[1] are bred in Tuscany and Latium in Italy. They are the traditional mounts of buttero, or Maremma cattle men, although they are also used for light draft and agricultural work.
Characteristics
The Maremmano breed generally stands between 15 and 15.3 hands high, they they are usually bay, brown, dark chestnut or black, although gray and roan are occasionally seen. They have a long, slightly heavy head, a muscular neck that is broad at the base, high, well-muscled withers, a full chest and sloping shoulders. The back is short, the croup sloping, and the legs solid and sturdy with good joints and strong hooves. The breed is known for their solidity and their ability to adapt to bad weather and rough terrain.
Uses
Maremmanos are the traditional mounts of Maremma cattle men, known as butteros, and are also used for light draft work. They have often been used as cavalry mounts and today they are used as mounts for the Italian Mounted Police.[/blockquote][/blockquote]