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Aptitudes and Morphology

APTITUDES

Nice character and learning ability. The Murgese horses are very kind horses. They barely defend themselves whereas get used to the saddle and horse tack. For these reasons they are suited for equestrian tourism and countryside equitation.

Another important characteristic, besides their obedience, is the learning ability that makes them suitable for the difficult tasks of the equitation school and equine therapy. Because of the facility of training and their kindness they are also used for the equestrian shows (Nando Orfei, in his circus, made use of horses to perform acrobatics on the saddle).

High rusticity and strenght

The weather in the Murge is characterized by very cold winters because of the gelid winds blowing from the Carpathians and the Balkans, and very hot summers where the entire area seems to turn into a desert. These seasons gave to this breed a real and typical rusticity. Take account of a wild breeding, generally without any shelter. Resistance to disease is also remarkable: organic affections such as heaves and intestinal disorders are nearly unknown for these breeds. The strong muscular and skeletal system fulfils a strong and deep skin that works as a protection against insect bites and spiny vegetation. The Murgese horse is furthermore an excellent grazer that appreciates poor pastures, especially hill pastures. Last but not least, it is important to pinpoint the horses at the service of the State Forestry Corps all around Italy.

MORPHOLOGY

Even if the Murgese horses are basically mesomorph (medium size) they can differ considerably in terms of size and height with statures varying from 150 to 162 cm for the mares and 155 to 168 for the stallions. Is not rare, though, to find samples that reach or exceed 170 cm.

Coat: shiny raven-black without any spots. There is a very limited and esteemed class with a roan coat (iron grey dark brown). The Murgese horse is unique to this breed. Currently, the samples presenting this characteristic coat cover 3% of the species..

ANATOMY:
Head – This is the first part that stands out as it gives a sense of robustness, even if it is not so big or heavy. As far as profiles are concerned their majestic head presents a good variety ranging from the standard profile to the ram-like profile. The forehead is large often covered by the typical plentiful tuft, the nostrils are larg

Neck – Despite of the large base of connection, the neck is always perfect and harmonious also in the younger samples. It is rich in mane made of wavy hairs.

Torso – A muscular and strong torso presents a well developed, high, deep and large chest; most of the shoulder incline sufficiently, the large back is horizontally set and well shaped; the tail is rich of long hairs.

Limbs – They are strong. The arm is generally well oriented; the forearm is on average long and large with a good musculature; the thigh is proportionate and very muscular, straight and long limbs and a particular flexibility of the hock so that to reach a height of the back even superior than the withers; shins are enough short and big (they often exceed the 22 cm) and tendons separated and well developed.

Hoovers – Hooves have amazing qualities: they are covered by a very hard black hoof that is equally sufficiently elastic and have regular size.