Who are the butteri in Tuscany?

The butteri are the mounted herdsmen of the Maremma, in southern Tuscany and as far as northern Lazio. In the singular, one says un buttero. Their trade consisted of watching over, moving and rounding up cattle — often of the maremmana breed — on vast pastures, as well as looking after the horses. The Maremmano horse was their working mount. During round-ups, they could also help sort the animals and brand them.

So this is not just a folkloric figure: the trade still exists, even though it has become much less common with mechanization and changes in livestock farming. In the Tenuta di Alberese, near Grosseto, butteri still work with the herds. You can also see demonstrations at certain events in the Maremma, but these are presentations of techniques and know-how, not necessarily a reflection of an ordinary working day. If you attend one, you will mainly see the relationship between the rider, his horse and the cattle — a demanding practice, not a simple parade in costume.