From 3 to 6 December 2024, in Gangi, San Mauro Castelverde, Bompietro and Tenuta Ambelia were held the Selection Rewiews of the Sicilian Saddle Horse. The aim is to approve subjects who, on the basis of scientific studies and phenotypic characterizations carried out to arrive at the recognition of the breed occurred in February, they are in accordance with the breed standards established by the Ministry to be included in the Breed Book for the conservation of Italian horse breeds of limited distribution.

A total of 88 subjects were re-submitted. 63 were approved, 20 were rejected and 5 were declared reviewable. The selection was made by experts of ANAREAI (National Association of Breeders of Italian Horse and Donkey Breeds) Dr. Matteo Vasini, of the Horse Growth Institute, Ketty Torrisi, of ARACSI (Regional Association of Breeders of Sicilian Horses), Francesco Russo, assisted by Carla Mainenti of the Horse Growth Institute.

Each horse submitted was identified by reading the microchip and a careful examination of all morphological regions of the animal, during which the biometric parameters of withers, chest, shoulder, shank were measured. A tuft of horsehair was taken for DNA analysis to verify the exact relationship and identify of the genetic heritage of the subject, so as to understand the races that, over time, have constituted it. Then was observed the planks standing still, at a pace and at a trot.

Blood samples were taken to obtain a whole series of data useful for the ongoing research on the biodiversity of all the native Sicilian horse breeds, to which this year the Sicilian horse was added after the Orientale pure breed and the Sanfratellano. After completing the 23 entries of the detailed visual examination form, horses were approved or not. In the various surveys, specimens of varying structure and coat were selected. Some of the approved ones met standards with average values or tending towards the lower limit of breed standards. In this case, the breed experts have explained to the owners how important it will be to choose the correct Sicilian Saddle Horse stallion to use to cover the mare in the future, so that foals tend towards the upper limits, making them more attractive to the market for sport or in equestrian tourism, where the Sicilian saddle horse has already proven to excel. One aspect to be noted, in fact, is that the standards of race were established to preserve a specific genetic diversity, but also looking at the type of new subjects that are intended to obtain, for the uses within the market, not for a mere operation of equine archaeology to recreate “ancient” subjects, as some breeders might think.

Only a correct selection of mares and stallions and targeted mating, will ensure a future to this multi-faceted breed that is attracting considerable interest among professionals in Italy and abroad, in order to give the satisfaction deserved to those breeders who will pursue the improvement of their future subjects from the perspective of the market to look at.

In the next 3 years, numerous other Selection Reviews will be carried out throughout the region so that, at the end, to have a picture of the current situation of the breed, then verifying over time, as new subjects will born, any adjustments to be made, this time also studying the statistical and scientific data that will emerge The different areas of Sicily where Sicilian saddle horses are bred have, in fact, very different climatic conditions, environmental and pastures, which have formed over time characteristics in subjects that can also vary slightly from area to area, of which of the Horse Growth Institute has a long historical memory, and that should be taken into account in the selection. The professionalism of the experts involved in the work of the ANAREAI, the accuracy and depth of scientific studies carried out by the Universities of Catania, Messina and Palermo, the expertise of the association that gathers the breeders of Siciliano Saddle Gorse, ensure accurate and transparent conduct, also not to repeat the mistakes that have been committed in the past in other breeding entities of Sicilian biodiversity and not only.

Text and photos by Franco Barbagallo