Neapolitan Horse - Characteristics

Characteristics

According to the breed standard, the Napoletano may be bay, black, "burnt chestnut" or grey, and must stand at least 150 cm (14.3 hands) (59 in.) at the withers. The head is "proud and square," the forehead broad, the eyes large, the profile straight becoming convex over the nose, the nostrils flattened, the ears small. The neck is muscular, long and elegantly curved, the mane thick and long. The shoulder is deep and well sloped, with high and well-pronounced withers. The croup is broad, rounded and almost double, the tail thick and long, set on medium low. The legs are well-proportioned and very muscular, particularly behind, dry and with pronounced tendons, the joints broad and dry. The action is "elegant, pronounced and majestic," the temperament "lively, bold and generous."

This may be compared with the description of the Neapolitan Horse given in The Sportsman's Dictionary in 1800:

"This horse is highly esteemed for his strength and courage, which, together with his gentle dispositions, make him more valued.

His limbs are strong, and well knit together; his pace is lofty, and he is very docile for the performance of any exercise; but a nice eye may discover that his legs are something too small, which seems to be his only imperfection.

He may be known by his head, which is long, lean, and slender, bending from the eyes to the nostrils, like a hawk's beak; he also has a very full eye, and a sharp ear."