The handsome Bardigiano is a pony breed from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. Loved by the locals for their strength and endurance for wood and field work in difficult areas. During WWII Italian Bardigiano mares were used to produce mules to feed the war and in the process nearly decimated the pureblood of the breed.
\n<\/p>\n
The origin of this breed comes from the horses of Belgian Gauls who invaded Italy during Roman times. The same ancestor was thought to produce Avelignese<\/a>. The Bardigiano also shows physical similarities to Exmoors<\/a> and even more so Dales ponies<\/a> and Asturcons<\/a>. This small horse takes their name from the town of Bardi in the Apennines of Parma. Terrain in the area is steep and mountainous, which has shaped a robust, hardy animal that is as agile as it is sure-footed. <\/p>\n After WWII stallions of several different breeds were introduced to the area and the bloodlines became even more diluted, as did the specific traits of the original breed.<\/p>\n However small herds of pureblood animals were found, preserved by mountain agriculturists in the area. In 1977 the breed was officially recognized in an attempt to preserve and document their bloodlines. The official stud book was also established, held by the the regional animal breeders’ association of Parma, Associazione Provinciale Allevatori. <\/p>\n The Bardigiano is widely distributed in Italy, with breeders in 26 different Italian provinces. While the breed isn’t lost, they were classed as ‘vulnerable’ in 1994. At that time the breed standard was modified with the intention of increasing the suitability of the Bardigiano as a saddle horse while preserving its character. Today the DAD-IS lists them as endangered and as of 2023 there were 2973 of them left. <\/p>\n Average height 13.2 – 14.1 hands Head is light, has a slightly concave profile and a jutting upper lip Bay<\/a>, black<\/a> and brown<\/a><\/p>\n Docile nature and easy to work with Mountain trekking Associazione Nazionale degli Allevatori di Cavalli di Razza Bardigiana<\/a><\/p>\nA Pure Strain<\/h3>\n
Modern Bardigiano<\/h3>\n
Features<\/h3>\n
\nSmall and sturdy<\/p>\nPhysique<\/h3>\n
\nNeck is arched with a wide base and thick crest
\nMedium length back
\nLegs are slim and strong
\nHooves are large and very hard<\/p>\nTraditional Colors<\/h3>\n
Temperament<\/h3>\n
\nGreat children’s horse<\/p>\nUse<\/h3>\n
\nHorse therapy
\nShow horses
\nMeat
\nPleasure horse<\/p>\nHelpful Links<\/h3>\n
Video<\/h3>\n