SOLVED. I only remember the name of the protagonist's horse. [s]

[Michael]

The protagonist's horse's has a most unusual name. While I have not forgotten it, I am very uncertain of its spelling.
Festilligamba. i believe it could be an italian name. Or was it festilligambo?
He stands very tall, and is dark, possibly black, in colour. Sorry all other details ellude me.
Please, someone, know exactly what book I am referring to.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Any idea what genre the book was? When did you read it?

[Michael]

Most likely early to mid 70s. It's a work of fiction.
I've tried googling every variation of the spelling of the horse's name without getting a single hit. It's so frustrating.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Was it dramatic fiction, comical, adventure, western, etc.? Did the horse play a major or minor role in the plot?

[Michael]

I'm pretty sure it was an adventure story. Possibly YA fiction. The horse was important to the plot. He was a special horse, a horse with 'personality'. The protagonist depended on the horse for its intelligence, and other (forgotten) qualities. Maybe the horse was a wee bit magical. I'm not sure. It was a long time ago and I really don't have any more details.

[Pilar]

thanks to google i found a possibility:
Damiano by R A MacAvoy

[Michael]

Thanks Mary, of course, Damiano! That is the one!

[Michael]

All solved. The horse's name is Festilligambe which means 'sticklegs' in Italian, and he is the mount of a young man named Damiano.

[Pilar]

You're very welcome :-)