F E AT U R E
Europe’s iconic horsemen The herdsmen of Europe have a long history steeped in traditions passed down through the centuries. Their story is fascinating, so JESSICA MORTON delved a little deeper.
T
he hardworking, tough,
by poverty and violence, were those
idiosyncratic characteristics
with nothing to lose. Brigands, poachers
of men and women who tend
and ex-mercenaries drifted to the
livestock for a living are universal. And
area looking for work and took jobs as
while there are a number of European
farm hands and wranglers, eventually
countries in which the traditional
becoming known as the butteri.
herdsman culture is still practised by local horsemen and women, Italy, France and Hungary deserve a special mention.
These mounted herders took on an important role. On the back of his powerful, locally bred Maremmano
The Italian Butteri
horse, the buttero was a heroic
The term ‘buttero’ derives from the
character who became symbolic of
Latin word ‘butoros’, which translates to
freedom, strength, and the region in
‘ox goad’. While not the most flattering
general. He was also the keeper of the
term, butteri (plural of buttero) was
age-old secrets of his craft.
nonetheless the name given to the
The butteri did not live an easy life. In
original horsemen and cattle breeders
charge of farming operations such as
of the Maremma, a region that stretches
counting and moving stock, they also
of choice is still the Maremmano. The
from the north of Lazio to the former
took care of the cattle and horses, the
descendent of ancient Rome’s cavalry
marshlands of southern Tuscany.
repair of shelters, fencing, branding,
horses, they stand between 15 and
The plains of this region were once
drenching and breaking in the horses.
16.2hh and like many breeds, have over
famous for horse breeding, but after
Their uniform consists of corduroy
time undergone some changes mainly
the collapse of ancient Rome the land
trousers, a wide-brimmed felt hat, a
brought about by the type of work they
was abandoned. The river flooded and
pastràno (rainproof jacket), goatskin
were required to perform.
turned the area into a deadly marshland
chaps and leather boots. They also carry
which attracted malaria-carrying
However, thanks to the diligence of
a mazzarella, a long, thin wooden stick
mosquitos, and for hundreds of years
the Tuscan and Lazio breeders, the
with a hook on one end and a ‘fork’ on
life expectancy for the region’s residents
Maremmano have kept their unique
the other – a traditional tool used for
was extremely low.
identity through the ages, and the
many tasks such as opening and closing
important qualities of courage and
gates, directing cattle and training horses.
hardiness have been carefully cultivated.
whilst feudal lords waged war
In the past, the buttero was the only
Versatile and reliable, the Maremmano
domestically and Ottoman pirates raided
man who had the right to ride the estate
is not only an incredible working horse,
the coastline from the Tyrrhenian Sea.
owner's horses – and even today they
but also a sport horse capable of
The only outsiders willing to pit their wits
have an excellent reputation as skilled
achieving significant results in jumping
against this hostile region, characterised
horsemen and women. Their mount
and dressage events. They are also
The land did little more than stagnate
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