Italian heavy draft horse | Facts & Information

The Italian heavy-Draft breed is also known as the Italian farming horse and is native to the northern part of Italy, especially the area of Venice, in the plain surrounded by the Dolomites and Julian mountain slopes to the North and the border with Slovenia to the East.

Italian breeders wanted to improve the septel in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, so they began to import specimens of the Belgian Draft and Brabant breeds and cross them, the result being a horse that was too heavy and too slow.

To correct these problems, breeders imported specimens of Percheron and Boulonnais, to make the horses lighter and improve their acting ability.

However, the resulting septel was not what they wanted. The common Italian mares were then crossed with the fast Breton horse, ultimately resulting in the ideal type needed by breeders for pulling and hauling work.

This horse was smaller than the Belgian horse, yet stronger, docile and fast.

Italian Heavy-Draft Horse Appearance 

The Italian heavy Draft breed is similar to the avelignese mountain breed, which has a similar appearance, especially in terms of color. These horses are still used in agriculture, but are increasingly being replaced by agricultural machinery. An important feature of these horses is that they mature quickly, being good for meat production, in addition to their work skills.

The Italian farming horse is between 147 and 160cm tall and weighs 600 – 700kg. They are generally brownish in color, but may also be reddish. The light head has a straight profile and slightly convex is located on a short, wide and muscular neck. Although larger, it resembles the Haflinger breed, also from Italy. The foals are examined twice, once between two and seven months and the second time at 2 and a half years.

Horses passing the first assessment are marked on the left leg, and those passing the second are marked in the neck area on the left side.

Italian Heavy-Draft Horse Behavior 

The heavy draft horse breed was originally intended as versatile for use in agriculture and the military.

The fact that it is a docile breed, large, strong and fast enough, made it a favorite of farmers, it is still used today in field work.