Maremma Butteri

The Buttero is by definition the shepherd on horseback typical of the Maremma. In the past, the buttero, riding his Maremma horse, obviously faced the hostile and wild nature. The work took place in the large enclosures surrounded by Maremma nature where they grazed herds of animals that they had to control, count and recover in case of escape. The Maremma was a land without secrets for them, they knew every single corner. The days were long and particularly difficult, but the period of the foals’ birth, suckling and then taming were certainly the hardest.
Today the Butteri are still present in the area, in much smaller numbers, and their work has been greatly improved by technology, but it is still up to them to keep our traditions alive. Every year, events are held that are open to the public to commemorate this beloved figure.