italian heavy draft italian heavy draft draft breed draft horse italy italian breed italian rapid heavy draft farm horse italian pronunciation generally chestnut color breed known combination strength speed development traces continued late 19th early 20th centuries breeders utilized mix foundation included native italian stock imported horses mainly draft type versatility led use agricultural military capacities production stud book formed population numbers continued rise beginning world war breeding programs suffered war despite care afterward population numbers continued increasing decreased need draft horses 1970s selective breeding goals changed produce horse suitable meat production today remains primary use italian heavy draft breed characteristics italian heavy draft generally stands hands inches high weighs pounds generally chestnut usually tail red bay head light draft breed straight slightly convex profile set short broad muscular neck fairly pronounced muscular chest broad deep shoulders sloping straight short flanks short rounded sloping legs short broad joints formed closely resembles breed heavily creation italian heavy draft larger bears resemblance developed northern italy horses meet breed standards set breed registry branded design ladder enclosed shield examined twice seven months half years horses passing evaluation branded left pass second marked left neck history selection eventually italian heavy draft begun military stud italy breed originally developed crossing native stock large horses resulting horses strong light fast farm work required italians breed lighter faster blood added resulting horse exactly creators looking 19th century added blood mix bringing breed current stud book begun selection processes developed select horses use draft capacities breeding programs suffered world war careful program horses war brought italian heavy draft current state despite italian heavy draft early popularity strong fast draft horse increasing farming military sectors reduced need draft horses population numbers declined 1970s selection processes changed focus production animals horse meat continued primary focus present time breed association formed italy preserve promote italian heavy draft association charged maintaining stud book evaluating breeding stock granting maintaining genetic exhibiting breed main breeding areas italian heavy draft plains hills venice estimated half registered population end largest numbers number reported modern trace remains slower italian slow heavy subject morphological study uses italian heavy draft originally bred versatile horse agriculture urban settings military capacities production large military breed size strength speed extremely useful italian farmers introduction farming areas impractical production horses today bred meat italy global consumers horse meat consumption jumped percent eighteen month old preferred slaughter
Italian Heavy Draft