The Maremma National park is enclosed
in the territory between the mouth of the river
Ombrone and Talamone, in the southern part of Tuscany.

The extended woodland of maritime pine covers the plain from the sea up to the slopes of the Uccellina Mountains.

There is a stretch of beach (also part of the park) that runs along the Ombrone forest to Collelungo and further to Cala di Forno, creating one of the most wild and uncontaminated stretches of sand on the Italian coast.

Genoese towers (which dominate from higher ground) were constructed to defend from the attacks of the Saracen pirates and complete this amazing scenery.

Amongst these surroundings, you will spend a week riding Maremman style, observing up close the lifestyle of the last cowboys of Europe “I Butteri”. Within the park, cattle and horses graze freely under the watchful eye of the Butteri that patrol the grazing livestock everyday with their working horses.

BUFFALO BILL AND THE BUTTERI

Between the 20 February and the 9 March 1890, the colonel William F.Cody(also known as Buffalo Bill), was in Rome with a Circus of 100 Indians, 100 marksmen, hunters, cowboys and 200 animals (including, buffalos, horses and mules). The show included Native American music and costume display, trained assault re-enactment and shows of skills and bravery involving cattle and horses.

On 1 March, the Duke Castani di Sermoneta proposed to Buffalo Bill a challenge to tame his ranch horses. The colonel and his man agreed, but when the livestock were brought to Rome, the American cowboys struggled to complete the challenge. At this stage, Buffalo Bill proposed a challenge himself to whoever succeeded to tame an American horse in less time.

The challenge was accepted from riders, military, several cowboys and butteri that went to Rome attracted by the celebrity status of the famous American cowboy.

The Butteri proved their value by taming all the American horses in approximately 30 minutes and triumphed over the colonel in the Rodeo challenge.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

In the month of June horse riding will be predominantly in the late afternoon due to the heat; excursions may be subject to changes from National park authority.

Trekking on horse starts normally after breakfast, returning around 16:00 Packed lunches normally contain Tuscan (Parma) ham, wildboar salami (when possible), Pecorino cheese, fruit, wine, water and coffee.

Dinner: around 20:00 in the farmhouse with local produce and traditional dishes.
Distances: the itineraries varies between 20 and 30 km per day, and the pace, step, trot, gallop and in some parts dismount is necessary.
Housing: Scafarde saddles are used with maremmane bridle.
Horses are Maremmani horses.
Riding style: Maremmana and English

Good riding experience is necessary.