Lipizzans

Moterotondo is in many ways different from the well known Lipizzan Studs Piber and Lipica. The Lipizzans where stationed there only after World War II. The herd is integrated into the agricultural research centre CRA (Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura).CRA director Dr. Luca Buttazzoni explained the general tasks of the CRA and the special position held by the Lipizzans there. The CRA is farming on about 425 acres (1700 Hektar). Half of it belongs to the sustenance of the horses. Dr. Buttazzoni reported that all the horses of Monterotondo Stud are descendants of the original Lipica herd. After World War II the Lipica herd was divided.

The Lipizzan herd of Monterotondo provides for the breed an unique gene pool, because it is kept as a closed population for over 100 years. The latest addition to this herd was born in 1900 and purchased from Vukovar. The pedigrees of these Lipizzans were minutely traced back. Horses not belonging to the classical lines were retired. In addition DNA test were performed with particular reference to the mitochondrial DNA, which is passed only through the maternal line, to provide certainty about each horse being a descendant of the original historic Lipica herd. In Monterotondo there are eleven of the classical mare families and all six classical stallion lines. Almost reverently most breeders entered the room where on a large table, some of the original Lipica studbooks were displayed. Cautiously they leafed through the old folio, impressed by the great care with which in fine uniform lettering, all important observations were noted about each individual horses.

Through high quality feeding the horses are able to reach their full growth potential. The movements should be even and elastic, neither short nor flat and expressionless and not as ground covering such as the gait of the Warmblood. The visitors where driven by carriage to the expansive meadows. Breeding management in Monterotondo is largely adapted to the natural flow in the cycle of the horse and thus represent another special feature. At the time there are 39 broodmares. During the mating season they are split into small groups. Into each group a stallion is integrated. Overall, the stud has twelve stallions, two each from each stallion-line. The stallions stay for three months, from early March to late May, with their little herd. Under these natural conditions the stallions know the best time for covering each mare and thus carry on their genes with great success. The foals, too, are born within the herd on the pasture. The climatic conditions in the vicinity of Rome allow to keep the horses on the pastures all year round.