It was formerly used as an agricultural or military horse; selection for a lighter type more suitable for riding began in the second half of the twentieth century.

[5]: 488  It is particularly associated with the wooded pastures of the rural areas surrounding the town and comune of Martina Franca, and also with the comuni of Alberobello, Ceglie Messapico, Cisternino, Locorotondo and Noci.

[8][dubious – discuss] Registration and selective breeding of the modern Murgese began in 1926 at the Regio Deposito Stalloni or royal stud of Foggia, which later became the Istituto di Incremento Ippico for Puglia.

[9]: 198  Three stallions – Granduca di Martina (1919–1944), Araldo delle Murge (1928–1949) and Nerone (1934–1946) – were particularly influential in the development of the breed.

[4]: 124 A breed society, the Associazione Regionale Allevatori dell'Asino di Martina Franca e del Cavallo delle Murge, was established in 1948; the name was changed in 1990 to Associazione Nazionale Allevatori dell'Asino di Martina Franca e del Cavallo delle Murge.