 Until selection began in 1926 there were very diverse physical characteristics within the breed due to lack of breeding regulations.The original horses selected to revitalize the Murgese breed were a group of 46 mares and 9 stallions.The original center for selective breeding was the Institute for the Improvement of Horse Populations (then known as the Stallion Stud), where three foundation stallions, Nerone, Granduca, and Araldo delle Murge, formed the main bloodlines of the breed today.