The Calabrese generally stands 16 to 16.2 hands (163 - 168 cm) high, and can be bay, brown, black, gray or chestnut.
[1] They have a refined head with a straight or slightly convex profile, a well-shaped, muscular neck, prominent withers, long, sloping shoulders, and a broad, deep chest.
The breed has a long history, being a descendant of horses bred in Italy prior to the founding of Rome.
However, the current characteristics started to evolve during the Bourbon period through the crossing of Arabian blood with Andalusian stock.
In the 20th century, the breeding of the Calabrese began again and there was the introduction of Thoroughbred, Arabian, Andalusian and Hackney blood.