The Persano horse is an Italian breed that comes from the mountainous region of Persano, and is known for its strength, agility, and beauty.
In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Persano horse.
Keep reading to learn more!
Persano Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Persano:
| Height (size) | 16.0 – 17.0 hands high |
| Colors | Bay, black or chestnut |
| Country of Origin | Italy |
| Common Uses | Great all-rounder, general riding, sports, mounted police in Italy |
Persano Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
Persano was developed in 1762 by the Bourbon king Charles III in the Italian province of Salerno at the Royal Stud of Persano near Serre.
The foundation stock included Oriental, Neapolitan, and Spanish blood, and today it resembles an Anglo Arabian.
The Persano was bred specifically as a cavalry horse, and today they are used by the mounted Carabinieri Regiments.
In 1874 the government decided to put an end to further development of the breed, and all horses were sold off at a public auction.
However, in 1900 the breed was re-established.
Two stallions were used: a cross-bred Arab sired by the stallion Siriano by the name Giacobello, and an English thoroughbred named Jubilee.
Mares from various regiments and cavalries were selected for the program based on their ride ability, and good temperament.
Elegant and docile, the newly established Persano breed excelled in dressage, equestrian sport, and leisure riding among many other disciplines.
Following the conclusion of the Second World War, the population of this breed dropped to less than 50 broodmares.
The majority of those horses were then moved to the Grosseto Army Remount Station, which was under the jurisdiction of the Italian Ministry of Defense.
In 2007, the Person was listed as critically endangered.
There are a handful of private stables in the Persano region that are retaining some of these horses in an effort to preserve the breed.
The Persano used to be registered with the Salernitano, which comes from the same area and shares some of the same history.
Because both the Salerno and the Persano horses were developed at the same time at the Royal Stud of Persano, it is generally accepted that the two distinct breeds are descended from the same foundation stock.
The Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officially recognized the two breeds as distinct in 2015.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
n/a
Temperament/Personality
Gentle disposition
Physical Characteristics
The head is elongated, and the neck is long.
The withers are pronounced and the shoulder is somewhat sloped.
The chest is deep and wide.
The croup is short and sloped.
The back and loins are short.
The legs are rather slender, and the joints are regular.
They tend to have very harmonious gaits.
Colors
Bay, black or chestnut
Height (size)
16.0 – 17.0 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
1,000 – 1,100 lbs (450 – 500 kg)
Blood Type
Warm
Common Uses
Great all-rounder, general riding, sports, mounted police in Italy
Health
Generally healthy
Popular Traits
Superb sport horses with a good natural jumping ability
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Italy
Ancestors
Oriental, Neapolitan, and Spanish horses