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The ‘’’San Fratello’’’ is an Italian breed of horse with relatively unknown history. It is believed to have developed from the ancient horses of the province of Messina in Sicily, and may have connections to the old Sicilian Horse, highly regarded by the Greeks. There have probably been infusions of Anglo-Arabian, Salerno, and Spanish Anglo-Arabian blood, with more recent infusions of Nonius and English Thoroughbred blood. The breed has been raised in a semi-wild state, which has produced incredibly tough and sound horses that are resistant to most equine diseases. The wooded areas of Messina and the northern slopes of the Ebrodi mountains, where the horses are reared has a climate ranging from hot and humid in the summer to freezing cold in the winter. The horses must forage for food, which is often scarce. The breed is thus very economical to keep. The breeding stock is carefully controlled to preserve the good characteristics and continually improve on the breed. In the 1930s, English and oriental horses were imported to help improve the rather heavy head characteristic of the breed, and most importantly, to eliminate the weak pasterns. The San Fratello has a good temperament, is naturally athletic and sound, and is brave and fast, making them excellent prospects as sport horses. Although attractive, they still retain their rather heavy, slightly convexly profiled, head. The neck is muscular and usually slightly on the short side, the shoulders are fairly sloping, the back strong, and the chest is broad and deep. The hindquarters are muscular and well-formed. The legs are strong with good tendons and feet. The breed stands 15 to 16 hh, and is always bay, brown, or black. |
