With a decree from the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry, issued on February 28th of this year, the Sicilian Horse has been officially recognized as a breed of limited diffusion.
The Sicilian horse, emblematic of a longstanding equestrian tradition in Sicily, has thus received an important recognition that officially certifies its status and relevance; a recognition that is not merely symbolic but carries significant implications for the conservation and valorization of this equine breed, highlighting it as a vital component of Italy’s genetic and cultural heritage.
The ministerial decree not only attests to the rarity and importance of the Sicilian horse but formally includes it within the National Genetic Program dedicated to the safeguarding of less common Italian equine and donkey breeds.
This program is of fundamental importance as it aims to protect and promote genetic diversity and the peculiarities of breeds that, like the Sicilian horse, represent an irreplaceable heritage.
The management of this project has been entrusted to the National Association of Breeders of Italian Equine and Donkey Breeds, which will be responsible for coordinating efforts for the conservation and valorization of the breed.
On April 5th in Palermo, an event will be held to promote the Sicilian Horse
The formal recognition of the Sicilian Horse as a breed of limited diffusion will be celebrated in a specially dedicated event, taking place on Friday, April 5th, at the conference hall of the Institute for the Improvement of Horse Breeding in Sicily located in Palermo (at Via Vittorio Emanuele 508).
The event will be attended by Renato Schifani, President of the Sicilian Region, and Luca Sammartino, Regional Councillor for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Mediterranean Fisheries.
The meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to highlight not only the importance of the recognition achieved but also to discuss future strategies for the conservation and valorization of the Sicilian horse.
The Institute for the Improvement of Horse Breeding in Sicily has played a significant role in supporting and promoting the importance of protecting the Sicilian Horse, ultimately achieving the important result of the inclusion of equine breeds of limited diffusion.
In recent years, the institute has pursued various initiatives aimed at developing and presenting a genetic program dedicated to the Sicilian equine breed.
The institute’s commitment has included support for local initiatives and close collaboration with the Regional Association of Breeders of the Sicilian Horse, demonstrating particular attention to the needs of the local community and the valorization of Sicilian equestrian heritage.
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