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(Submitted by Prof. Carlo Faillace to the International Museum of the Horse)
The most typical expression of the so called Sicilian Horse can be singled out in the Sicilian Oriental Thoroughbred, whose racial entity has survived only in Sicily, as certified by the Italian Stud Book since the date of its establishment in 1875.
Ancient documents and studies on the horse typology of the Sicilian horse-breeds show a constant introduction in Sicily, since ancient times, of a genetic matrix of the arab-asiatic kind, which has perfectly adapted to the environmental conditions of Sicily, very similar to those of the land of origin, but with better alimentary conditions.
The Sicilian Oriental Thoroughbred represents today a succesful example of a genetic synthesis, which the Sicilian breeders have been able to achieve, as it embodies a Sicilian interpretation, with its peculiar and unique typology standards, within the worldwide Arab-horse production.
Strabo, in his work Geography (Loeb Classical Library, Heinemann, 1961) writes that in 398 B.C. Dionysius of Syracuse sent several Sicilian teams to race at Olympia. While Pro-Consul of Africa, M. Antonius Gordianus, who became emperor Gordian I in 238 AD, sent 100 Sicilian horses to be shared out amongst the factions in Rome. This shows that the Sicilian horse was one of the very early breeds to succeed in the races.
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Frieze of the temple of the Wind Mill in Gela (400 B.C.)
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DESCRIPTION
The Sicilian Oriental Thoroughbred is a horse of the mesomorphic and mesodolichomorphic kind. It is distinguished by an outstanding harmony of form. It is sober, strong, resistant, courageous and has a well balanced mind.. Its movements are bright and elegant; its strides wide and smooth.
Head
The head is small and square with a skin perfectly adherent to the bone structure and a rich vascular system.
The frontal bone is broad and flat. In some bloodlines, however, a slightly round shape of the area between the eyes has been observed.
The profile is rectilinear; sometimes slightly snub.
The eye is big, lively and expressive, with a prominent orbital arch.
The jaws are broad, well defined and well spaced, with lean, muscular, wide cheeks.
The nostrils are wide, elastic and dilated.
Neck
The neck is of a right length, muscular, correctly aligned and perfectly attached to the head and to the trunk.
Trunk
The shoulder is of a good length and inclination, muscular, agile and mobile at all gaits.
The withers are rightly prominent, with a sufficient muscularity.
The chest is broad and muscular. The thorax is high, wide and deep.
Back - Loins - Croup
The back is short , straight, muscular, perfectly horizontal and aligned with the loins. This peculiarity allows the integral transmission of the impulse from behind and a maximum solidity of the spinal column.
The loins are short, broad and muscular, well attached to the croup, which is broad and round with a right inclination and of medium length.
Limbs and feet
The limbs are well proportioned and strong. Articulations are thick, tendons dry and well defined.
The foot is of the right proportion and with a correct inclination.
The hoof is hard, compact and usually black with well developed heels
Skin - Mane - Coat
The skin is fine and elastic with a visible blood-vessel net.
The mane is fine, wavy and silky.
The tail is elegantly carried.
The colours of the coat are: gray, chestnut and bay and they often have a metallic shine.
Height and Weight
The height at the withers is usually between cm. 145 and 160.
The weight is between Kgs. 400 and 500
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fotos by courtesy of A.S.C.O.
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Geografic areas of breeding
Sicily. More exactly in the different altimetrical areas of the provinces of: Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Palermo, Trapani.
Breed organization
The A.S.C.O. (Sicilian organization for the Sicilian Oriental Thoroughbred horse) is made by Sicilian breeders united by the interest for the preservation and the revaluation of this breed, which is unique in the world .
A.S.C.O.
Via Marchese di Villabianca 54
90143 Palermo
Italy
Tel. +39 91 6208200
Fax +39 91 6700424
ISTITUTO INCREMENTO IPPICO per la Sicilia
Via Vittorio Emanuele 508
95124 Catania
Italy
A.R.A. (Regional Association of Sicilian Breeders)
Via P.pe Belmonte 55
90139 Palermo
Italy
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