What defines riding in Italy?
Italy's boot-shaped peninsula stretches from the Alps in the north to long Mediterranean coastlines along the Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, and Ionian Seas. Regional breeds like the Maremmano and Haflinger reflect a horse culture rooted in historic cavalry traditions and centuries-old trail networks. As the core of the Roman Empire and cradle of the Renaissance, Italy holds the world's greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Alps offer mild summers and cold, snow-dusted winters, while southern coastal areas stay warmer and drier.