The Sarcidano Horse is a rare breed of semi-feralhorse originating from the Altopiano del Sarcidano in the comune of Laconi in the Oristano province of Sardinia, Italy. It is one of the fifteen indigenous horse "breeds of limited distribution" recognised by the AIA, the Italian breeders' association. Although it should never exceed at the withers, it is officially termed a cavallo or horse, and not a pony.
Characteristics
According to the breed standard, a Sarcidano Horse may be black, bay, or grey; other coat colours are excluded from registration. The height range for males is, the girth and the cannon circumference ; for females the height measures, the girth and the cannon. Horses over at 30 months may not be registered. The head is rather heavy and roughly set on, the profile straight, the ears mobile and the eyes and nostrils large. The neck is muscular, the mane thick. The shoulder is fairly straight, the withers high and the croup short but muscular. The legs are short, strong and reasonably well conformed, the joints are broad, the hooves are strong but tend to be cylindrical. The action is lively and sure-footed. The Sarcidano Horse has a lively and responsive nature, and adapts well to equestrian uses; it is frugal and resistant. Supernumerary premolars are frequently present on both sides of the upper jaw.
History
The Sarcidano horse appears to have ancient Spanish ancestry in common with the Andalusian horse. Studies by Valiati and by Bell of transferrins are reported to confirm common ancestry with the Iberian horse of 25000 years ago. A 1996 study of protease inhibitor polymorphism concludes that "a genetic correlation could be present between Sarcidano Horses and ancient Spanish horses as reported by historical documents about horse breeding in Sardinia". The "constant" presence of the seventh molar in the upper jaw is cited as evidence of ancient origin by Baccino, who notes that this characteristic is shared by only a few ancient breeds such as the Exmoor Pony and the Caspian horse; Baccino also notes the presence in the Sarcidano horse of an allele otherwise seen only in Przewalski's Horse. In 1999 a group of 15 Sarcidano horses was acquired by the comune of Laconi from a private owner; this herd lives in the state-owned forest of Funtanamela, on the Sarcidano plateau, and in 2006 numbered approximately 100 horses. A second herd, privately owned, also lives in the same area, while a third group is held by the Istituto di Incremento Ippico della Sardegna of Ozieri, at Foresta Burgos in central northern Sardinia. In 2007, the total Sarcidano horse population was approximately 190, of which 78 were mares. The Sarcidano horse was recognised as a breed by Ministerial Decree No. 24347, dated 5 November 2003; the breed register was established in 2005, and is held by the Associazione Provinciale Allevatori of Nuoro.
Use
No use of the Sarcidano horse is documented. In 2001 the possibility of starting a few horses for use in trekking was being considered.
