The Giara horse is certainly one of Sardinia’s most famous wild animals. It is not a horse, despite its short stature at the withers, but a real small horse. The hostile and pristine environment of the Giara has, over time, selected rustic, hardy and neurotic animals with a proud and indomitable character.
Where the Giara horses live
The Giara horse lives wild on the plateau known as Sa Jara Manna (the great Giara) or even more famous Giara di Gesturi. Wild horses live grouped in herds, harems, where one male dominates over fewer than ten mares and foals. Foals are born between March and May, rarely during the summer or fall; as soon as the foals are born, the mating season begins. At this time of year, which coincides with spring, stallions protect the herd and young males struggle to gain their own harem.
When to visit the Giara Park
Hikes on the Giara in spring are particularly impressive, among a myriad of flowers it is possible to admire the newly born Giara horses, the females in heat and the stallions in full vigor. But each season has its own peculiarities, if spring is the best time for excursions among flowers and foals, winter allows to see the Giara horses with long hair and co me frame the snow-capped mountains of the Gennargentu, summer the horses cool off in the waters of the last paulis. Every time of the year allows for pleasant excursions and long treks to discover a magical environment and a strong and vigorous animal such as the Giara horse.
The Giara horse card
The Giara horse is mesomorphic type, ellipometric format with live weight fluctuating between 170 and 220 kg; height at withers between m 1.28 and m 1.32 for males, between m 1.25 and m 1.27 for females; morello or bay coat of wild or burnt saurian type, fixed-seat peculiarities rare. Trunk gathered close to the ground with slightly depressed back; croup short and narrow, tail attached low covered with thick manes. Square head laden with jaws adorned with abundant topknot; strong neck with rich mane often drooping on two sides; poorly muscled thighs; thin limbs; long shins; long fetlocks; small but sound and sure foot. Appearance defects, often referable to rickets, are frequent, especially concerning the region of the hocks, which often appear cowed and mowed” (L. Gratani’s file).
There are insights, pictures and interesting documents on the animal’s origin and life in the museum.
