Salerno (horse breed)
Encyclopedia
The Salerno or Salernitano is a warmblood
type of horse
from the Italian
province of Salerno
. It resulted from crossbreeding Andalusians and Neapolitans
.
are generally well-proportioned. These horses have sloping shoulders, muscular quarters, and strong, slender legs. The breed averages , and the horses are usually solid bay, black
, or chestnut
. They are reputed to have a good disposition.
was made up of Neapolitan
, Spanish
, and Oriental
blood. This breed was promoted by King Charles III
, who was the King of Naples, and Spain.
s were introduced to the Salernitano breed. Three Lipizzan stallion
s were particularly influential on Salernitanos at the stud
. Their names were Pluto, Conversano, and Napoletano, and are considered foundation sire
s. The Persano Stud was closed in 1864. The Persano
is a different breed which was also bred at the Persano Stud and which more closely resembles an Anglo-Arabian
.
blood was introduced. These new bloodlines helped the breed by making its size increase, and by refining it. The newly built Morese Stud became one of the most influential studs on the breed. It also was located close to the original Persano Stud.
mount. They also make superb sport horses, and have a good and natural jump.
. Raimondo rode Merano at the 1956 World Showjumping Championships, and led the team to victory. Posillipo led d'Inzeo to the gold at the 1960 Summer Olympics
.
Warmblood
Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds, primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sport...
type of horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
from the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
province of Salerno
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
. It resulted from crossbreeding Andalusians and Neapolitans
Neapolitan horse
The Neapolitan Horse, , Neapolitano or Napolitano, is a horse breed that originated in the plains between Naples and Caserta, in the Campania region of Italy, but which may have been bred throughout the Kingdom of Naples. The Neapolitan horse was frequently mentioned in literature from the 16th to...
.
Characteristics
Salernitano horses usually have a light and well-set head. They also have a long muscular neck. Their backsBack (horse)
The back describes the area of horse anatomy where the saddle goes, and in popular usage extends to include the loin or lumbar region behind the thoracic vertebrae that also is crucial to a horse's weight-carrying ability. These two sections of the vertebral column beginning at the withers, the...
are generally well-proportioned. These horses have sloping shoulders, muscular quarters, and strong, slender legs. The breed averages , and the horses are usually solid bay, black
Black (horse)
Black is a hair coat color of horses in which the entire hair coat is black. Black is a relatively uncommon coat color, and novices frequently mistake dark chestnuts or bays for black. However, some breeds of horses, such as the Friesian horse, Murgese and Ariegeois are almost exclusively black...
, or chestnut
Chestnut (coat)
Chestnut is a hair coat color of horses consisting of a reddish-to-brown coat with a mane and tail the same or lighter in color than the coat. Genetically and visually, chestnut is characterized by the absolute absence of true black hairs...
. They are reputed to have a good disposition.
History
The Salernitano originate from the province of Salerno, in Italy. There was no fixed breeding system for these horses until the 1780s. At that time, people began to selectively breed at the Persano Stud. The foundation bloodstockFoundation bloodstock
Foundation bloodstock or foundation stock are horses that are the progenitor, or foundation, of a new horse breed or a given bloodline within a breed. The term is also used in a similar manner when discussing purebred dogs...
was made up of Neapolitan
Neapolitan horse
The Neapolitan Horse, , Neapolitano or Napolitano, is a horse breed that originated in the plains between Naples and Caserta, in the Campania region of Italy, but which may have been bred throughout the Kingdom of Naples. The Neapolitan horse was frequently mentioned in literature from the 16th to...
, Spanish
Iberian horse
The Iberian horse is a title given to a number of horse breeds native to the Iberian peninsula. At present, 17 horse breeds are recognized by FAO as characteristic of the Iberian Peninsula....
, and Oriental
Oriental horse
The term oriental horse refers to the ancient breeds of horses developed in the Middle East, such as the Arabian, Akhal-Teke, Barb, and the now-extinct Turkoman horse. They tend to be thin-skinned, long-legged, slim in build and more physically refined than other types, but with great endurance...
blood. This breed was promoted by King Charles III
Charles III of Naples
Charles the Short or Charles of Durazzo was King of Naples and titular King of Jerusalem from 1382 to 1386 as Charles III, and King of Hungary from 1385 to 1386 as Charles II. In 1382 Charles created the order of Argonauts of Saint Nicholas...
, who was the King of Naples, and Spain.
Persano Stud
At the Persano Stud, a combination of the local stock and LipizzanLipizzan
The Lipizzan or Lipizzaner , is a breed of horse closely associated with the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, where the finest representatives demonstrate the haute école or "high school" movements of classical dressage, including the highly controlled, stylized jumps and other movements...
s were introduced to the Salernitano breed. Three Lipizzan stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
s were particularly influential on Salernitanos at the stud
Stud farm
A stud farm or stud in animal husbandry, is an establishment for selective breeding of livestock. The word "stud" comes from the Old English stod meaning "herd of horses, place where horses are kept for breeding" Historically, documentation of the breedings that occur on a stud farm leads to the...
. Their names were Pluto, Conversano, and Napoletano, and are considered foundation sire
Foundation bloodstock
Foundation bloodstock or foundation stock are horses that are the progenitor, or foundation, of a new horse breed or a given bloodline within a breed. The term is also used in a similar manner when discussing purebred dogs...
s. The Persano Stud was closed in 1864. The Persano
Persano horse
The Persano is a horse breed created at the Royal Stud of Persano near Serre in the Italian province of Salerno. It is similar in appearance to an Anglo Arabian and was created by crossing Andalusians, Arabians, Persians and Mecklenburgers....
is a different breed which was also bred at the Persano Stud and which more closely resembles an Anglo-Arabian
Anglo-Arabian
The Anglo-Arabian or Anglo-Arab is a crossbred horse that now also has its own status as a horse breed. It is a Thoroughbred crossed with an Arabian. The cross can be made between a Thoroughbred stallion and an Arabian mare, or vice-versa...
.
20th century influences
During the 20th Century ThoroughbredThoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
blood was introduced. These new bloodlines helped the breed by making its size increase, and by refining it. The newly built Morese Stud became one of the most influential studs on the breed. It also was located close to the original Persano Stud.
Uses
The Salernitano has become a first-class riding horse, and a cavalryCavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
mount. They also make superb sport horses, and have a good and natural jump.
Famous individuals
Two of the most famous Salernitano horses are Merano and Posillipo. They were both ridden by Raimondo d'InzeoRaimondo D'Inzeo
Major Raimondo D'Inzeo was a successful Italian show jumping rider from the late 1940s until the late 1970s....
. Raimondo rode Merano at the 1956 World Showjumping Championships, and led the team to victory. Posillipo led d'Inzeo to the gold at the 1960 Summer Olympics
1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
.