The Calabrese Horse is now relatively uncommon outside its native area of Calabria in the southern part of Italy. The horse takes its name directly from the area, which is located down in the very tip or toe of the boot shape that makes up the country.
During the Middle Ages, the Calabrese Horse was highly regarded and in great demand as a mount for knights and military movements. This is because these horses were larger, stronger and more capable of carrying the heavily armored knights over long treks than most of the other local horses and ponies. The original foundation of the Calabrese breed is likely local horses and ponies crossed with the pureblood Arabian horses that were brought to the area.
Crossing the Calabrese horse with the Andalusian added more refinement as well as size and the wonderful temperament the Andalusian is known for. Most of these crosses occurred in the mid to end of the Middle Ages but resulted in an overal improvement of the breed for all types of uses.
In the 20th century Thoroughbred blood was added to the Calabrese horse lines to add speed and increase the height of the horse. While there are not many full-blood Calabrese horses in existence, those that are typically are between 16 and 16.2 hands in height, making them one of the taller Italian horse breeds. In addition Arabian blood, Hackney and Andalusian blood continues to be added to the bloodlines.
In Siena, Italy the Palio, a replication of a medieval type of horse race and competition, is run every year. In this race groups of mounted riders race through the streets of town to capture a flag and win the race. The event is a popular tourist attraction to the area and many Calabrese horses are used in the event.
The Calabria area of Italy is also known for its mules, and at several periods in time the Calabrese horse almost became extinct due to the increase in breeding of mules, which were more suited to the heavy agricultural work. State run studs were also closed and the existing horses were sold off, dangerously depleting the breeding lines. Dedicated breeders were able to keep the breed alive however, and currently there are more centralized efforts to increase the number of Calabrese horses.
While not typically seen as sporting horse or in show jumping, the conformation and temperament makes the Calabrese a good candidate for dressage training, basic equitation type events as well as for pleasure riding.
Tourism throughout Italy, especially in the beautiful coastal areas of Calabria, has revitalized some of the horse industry in the form of horse riding or trekking events and tours. Many of these companies use Calabrese horses and mules bred from crossing the Calabrese mares with Andalusian, Arab or Thoroughbred stallions to make excellent pack and riding animals. The gentle and even disposition of the Calabrese horse makes them ideal even for first time riders.
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