Donkey Breeds in Europe - Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in ...

Contact: AIA, Via Tomassetti 9; 00161 Roma; Tel.: 0039-(0)6/8545 13 08; Fax:
0039-(0)6/44 24 92 86; E-mail: info@aia.it; Web: http//www.aia.it ;
http://www.aia.it/tecnico/equini/a_razze.htm
R.A.R.E. (Razze autoctone a Rischio di Estinzione), Riccardo Fortina; Corso G,
Agnelli 32; I-10137 Torino; E-mail: info@associazionerare.it; Internet:
http://www.associazionerare.it/
Asino di Martina Franca (syn.: Pugliese; Martinese; Martina Franca; Puli; Martina
Franca Esel; Ane de Martina-Franca; Apulian)
In General: Martina Franca are large sized donkeys from the region of Martina
Franca, SE Italy. During the Spanish dominion in Apulia, the autochthonous donkey
was crossed with Catalan donkeys. Martina Franca donkeys are traditionally
used for draught and as pack-ass, but also for mule production with Murge-horses.
Martinese-mules were famous in Italy and abroad.
Description: dark brownish to black coat with reddish markings around the eyes
and part of the muzzle, whitish-grey nostrils, grey abdomen and inner hind quarters
and dark pigmentation of the mucous membrane. The head is large, but not too
heavy, with well developed jaws and long straight ears. The neck is strong and
muscular, no demarcations divide it from its continuation into the back, large long
and muscular croup, muscular legs with thick dry joints and hard hoofs.
Height: sires:1,35m - mares: 1,27m. Original
Martina Franca donkeys have three brands:
one on the cheek, one on the neck and one on
the crural. On the first Sunday in December a
market for Martina Franca donkeys and Murge
horses takes place in Foro Boario Martinese.
Since 1990 the herdbuch is officially accepted.
Stock (2005): Total: 327; mares: 206; sires: 24
Herdbook: yes
Risk Status: endangered
Conservation programme: yes
Contact: Ass. Naz. Allev. Cavallo delle Murge
e Asino di Martina Franca, Via Letizia
Marinosci, 74015 Martina Franca (Taranto),
www.anamf.it; E-mail: info@anamf.it
Allevamento San Paolo; Francesco Basile; Via
Giannone 19; I-74015 Martina Franca; E-mail:
basile.sanpaolo@tin.it
36
Source: www.medicavalli.com
AIA, Via Tomassetti 9; 00161 Roma; E-mail: info@aia.it; Web:
http://www.aia.it/tecnico/equini/a_asinomf.htm
Asino di Pantelleria (syn.: Asino Pantesco; Pantelleria; Pantesca; Pantesco)
The Asino Pantelleria is breed on the island Pantelleria to the South West of Sicily.
The strong African appearance of this donkey is explained through the geographical
proximity to Tunesia. On the island the Pantelleria donkey is preferred above
horses. They are considered to have much stamina, to be fast and temperamental.
Races take place in which the donkeys reach speeds of 25 km/h. The Panterellia
donkey is an exceptional surefooted pack animal. Typically they can move in the
“Tölt-gait”, a form of movement which Icelandic horses are well known for, this is
both fast and comfortable for the rider. They were also used in the breeding of
mules. Since the beginning of the 1990s there has been an attempt to breed these
animals back to their old breed standard: all the animals that could be found (3