About Aniatina Donkeys

Amiatina donkies, or Asino dell'Amiata in atalian, are from donkeys from Tuscany in central Italy. They are particularly associated with Monte Amiata in the provinces of Siena and Grosseto, but they are distributed throughout Tuscany. There are also popular in Liguria and in Campania. They are one of the eight autochthonous donkey breeds of limited distribution recognized by the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, the Italian ministry of agriculture and forestry.  

They are grey-coated donkeys with special black and white stripes in the limbs and a scapular cross. Thanks to their slender and nimble shape, they could go up to steep and rough mountains. Neurotic and good-natured as well, these donkeys had a large diffusion mainly as recurrent winners in the traditional 'palio'. Thanks to the Horse Increase Institute at Pisa a group of these donkeys have been preserved with known ascendants and various blood lines.

Content and Photo source: Agraria.org.