Origin
Italy
History
The Cavallo Agricolo Italiano da Tiro Pesante Rapido (CAITPR) or Italian Heavy Draft is the only draft breed of Italy. Origin of the breed dates to 1860 when the Deposito Stalloni of Ferrara began crossbreeding. This breed comes from the northern part of Italy, with some breeding also being carried on in central Italy. However, the principal area is in the region of Venetia, in the plain enclosed by the Dolomites and Julian Alps to the north and Slovenia to the east.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Italian breeders sought to improve their local stock by importing first the massive Belgian Draft or Brabant, then the Percheron and the Boulonnais, and finally the Breton. Crossed with the common Italian mares, the Breton produced an ideal type for agricultural and draft purposes as well as for transport of artillery and engineers for the army. Some Italian Heavy Heavy draft mares were also used to produce the heavy mules required by the army. The official stud book was started in 1926.
Until the fifties and sixties this breed was a popular draft horse. Mechanization of the army and agriculture reduced the importance of the Italian Heavy Draft.
In the seventies an extensive selection effect was begun with the goal of improving the meat production characteristics of the breed.
Description
- Head:
long but fine and elegant with a straight or slightly convex profile, a broad forehead, small ears, and large, lively eyes - Conformation:
-short, poweful neck
-very deep chest
-short and flat back
-broad and muscular loins
-strong and well made quarters with a fairly high croup and a high-set tail
-rather long hind legs with muscular second thighs and large, clearly defined joints
-lower legs carrying some feathering. The bone measurement is adequate, although the hooves are inclined to be boxy. - Average height:
15 to 16 h.h. - Colour:
- the most common colour is liver chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail, but some are roan or bay. White markings are commonly seen on the face and legs.
- Temperament:
kind, docile - Today:
its future is anything but assured. There is still a demand for a swift-actioned agricultural horse but, some modern breeders with an eye to the demands of a meat market, concentrate on breeding for carcass weight and therefore, are not much concerned with improving conformational details applicable to improve the breed for working purposes.
