Demographic characterization, inbreeding and genetic variability within Sanfratellano population horse from genealogical data

The Sanfratellano horse is an ancient Sicilian population, however nothing is definite with regards its origin. The breed, raised in the Nebrodi mountains near Messina, is very well adapted to the hard Sicilian habitat (Chiofalo et al., 1983). In 1948 the first try to improve the Sanfratellano horse was set up (Chiofalo et al., 1959). Nowadays the Sanfratellano’s morphology is no longer definite. Over the years stallions from other breeds (Mecklenburg, Hackney, Nonius, Thoroughbred derivatives and Maremmano) were frequently used in the Sanfratellano’s stud farms. The Maremmano horse was, above all, used more recently...