The Catria or Cavallo del Catria is an Italian breed of horse. It is named for the massif of Monte Catria in the Marche region of Italy, where it is thought to have originated, and is distributed also in parts of the provinces of Ancona, Perugia and Pesaro.[2]: 450 It is one of the fifteen indigenous horse "breeds of limited distribution" recognised by the AIA, the Italian breeders' association.[3]
.png) Mare on Monte Catria | |
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Cavallo del Catria |
| Country of origin | Italy |
| Distribution | |
| Standard | Associazione Italiana Allevatori |
| Traits | |
| Colour | bay, black bay or chestnut |
History
editThe Catria derives from the cross-breeding of Maremmano-derived stock from west of the Apennines, thought to have been brought from their homeland in Tuscany mainly by charcoal burners, with other breeds, principally the Swiss Franches-Montagnes.[4] Numbers fell at the time of the Second World War, and the population survived in mountainous areas suitable only for untended livestock.[4] In 1974, the Azienda Speciale Consortile del Catria, or "special co-operative agency of Catria", took control of horse breeding in the area. In 1980, a herd book was opened to conserve the bloodlines of the breed.[4]
Characteristics
editThe coat colour may only be bay, black bay or chestnut; breeding stallions may not be chestnut.[4] The head is light with a straight profile. The chest is wide and muscular. Heights at the withers are 145–160 cm (14.1–15.3 h) for males and 140–155 cm (13.3–15.1 h) for mares.[4]
Use
editThe horses are used in the mountains for agricultural purposes, particularly for carrying cut firewood from steep woodland. They are also used for riding and for the production of horsemeat.[5]
References
edit- ^ Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
- ^ Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
- ^ Il Registro Anagrafico delle razze Equine ed Asinine a limitata diffusione (in Italian). Associazione Italiana Allevatori. Archived 24 April 2009. "Anagraphic register of the horse and donkey breeds of limited distribution".
- ^ a b c d e Cavallo del Catria (in Italian). Associazione Italiana Allevatori. Archived 2 August 2008. "The Catria Horse".
- ^ "The Catria Horse". Comune di Cantiano. Retrieved 12 April 2012.