Every “wild land”, worthy of this name, has its legendary Cowboys! Can Maremma, with its wild charm, to be outdone? Of course not! So, here are the "Butteri". The name comes from the Latin "boum-ductor" ("conductor of oxen" or better, "conductor of cattle herds" that were driven along the plains of Maremma by these skilled guardians on horseback). Butteri’s job was not easy at all, especially during the periods of "filiations" and "transhumance". Hundreds of Maremman oxen - the typical gray-white cows with long wave-shaped horns - to be moved, counted, checked and, sometimes, retrieved in the maquis. So "Butteri Maremmani" are, in a certain way, the soul of Maremma: those who, riding their horses, daily faced the harshness of the wild landscape, the strength of the herds and the threats of malaria… almost assuming legendary features!

Butteri’s fame is also linked to that one of "Maremman Horse", whose origin is very ancient. In Roman times it was a quite stocky breed, of medium size, but generous and strong. During the Middle Ages there were important breed farms in San Rossore, Coltano, Castagnolo, Populonia, Querceto all`Alberese ... virtually the whole Maremma was like a big grazing. So, over the centuries, the experience of breeders and the coupling with selected foreign stallions led to the creation of a specific "Maremman breed", strong and elegant, still used by Butteri, but also by amateur and professional riders.

Today the "Butteri" haven’t lost their charm! Though no longer fighting against malaria, they are constantly busy, with the same sincere determination, to ensure that Butteri’s tradition and culture would survive modernity! For example, take a look at the beautiful web site of the Alta Maremma Butteri Association that has got a very rich schedule of horse-shows and events: https://www.butteri-altamaremma.com/ One of the most beautiful is the two-day festival "BATTITO BUTTERO" (=Butteri’s beat) in the beautiful scenery of the Natural Uccellina Park, generally the last week of May. Do not miss it!

A curiosity: there are now "Butteris" females! And every Buttero has a nickname, as in the Far West... "Moustache", "Smoke," "Coal", " Gunshot"... actually, with names like that, better to deal with them only for the shows!