Anglo Arabic Sardo

Sardinian Anglo-Arab horse

The Sardinian Anglo-Arab is a race horse that has been bred in Sardinia for about a century. It arises from the crossing of the English thoroughbred horses with Arabic-Sardinians.

A major contribution to the improvement of the race, it was established in 1874 by the Royal Luggage Stallions of Sardinia. It is the most suitable for horse riding sports, the result of millennia of engagements of the inhabitants of Sardinia. Over the centuries those from the island were crossed with horses by the Greeks, Carthaginians, Arabs and Andalusians. The results of these crosses were driven by strong, very bright, wild, sensitive and docile features.

In the fifteenth century, under the control of Aragon, Ferdinand the Catholic, who was a great connoisseur of horses, opened in Oristano, the breeding center and imported some real Andalusian stallions. From the intersection between the two races he obtained two very different kinds.

One was much more physical and oriental with rather a low stature, well proportioned, square head and prominent withers, the other was more typical of Africa, characterized by a greater height. The two varieties, however, had in common a lively and spirited nature, in addition to speed and greater stamina. The Sardinian Anglo Arabic horse is used mainly for speed racing and jumping, but also for cross country horse riding.

Morphology

Type dolichomorphic.
Mantelli main bay, sorrel, gray.
Height at withers: It is divided into three types, those of small size (156-158cm), one medium size (158-165cm) and in large size (over 165cm).
Weight: 450 – 550 kg.
Character: lively, strong and stubborn.

The head looks square, light, straight profile, with small ears, big and bright eyes and wide nostrils. The neck is lightweight and well-attached, well pronounced withers, the line-lumbar spine is straight or slightly dipping, rump angle is right and the tail is full of hair and well attached. The legs are solid, with thin but strong shins, tendons well detached, pastoral right inclination and length of foot in proportion.