rare breed horse native south_carolina member colonial spanish group horse breeds include banker horse north_carolina small horse adapted use lowland swamps native south_carolina developed spanish horses brought south_carolina coast spanish explorers settlers traders early 16th century horses colonists american revolution south farm work cattle hunting breed history breed considered critically endangered marsh existence today organizations worked complete dna testing breed goals mapping place horse breeds world beginning stud book association begun objective preserving promoting closed stud book created characteristics marsh generally stands hands inches high acceptable range hands inches high today breed comes wide variety colors including bay chestnut black historically multi colored patterns found selected breeding today seen colors today consistent colonial spanish horses profile breed head usually flat somewhat concave slightly convex nasal region muzzle forehead wide eyes set apart breed typically slight neck neck attached low chest compared breeds pronounced short strong angled chest deep narrow shoulder long angled legs long tapering general lower legs exhibits beat similar brazilian breed spanish heritage compared fox shows period support feet planted diagonal foot shows support lacks diagonal foot known owners stamina ability work water swamps tend sure smart able survive challenging coastal environments easy keepers small size gentle nature historically preferred mount children women working animals abilities field today endurance riding continuing traditional work assisting humans hunting wild game cattle ancestral horses dna testing proved relative isolation separate breed unique characteristics history developed spanish horses brought island coastal areas south_carolina spanish explorers settlers early 16th century horses added population animals purchased spanish settlement florida pack horses native american trade routes sold traders reached charleston managed mainly feral rounded locals horses needed tradition continued 20th century breed american revolution irregular forces nicknamed swamp fox swamp given forces advantage british cavalry mounted larger european breeds easily able maneuver dense lowland swamps american civil war commonly members community islands south_carolina shore use fields gardens breed derives english word meaning common cheap horses common breed area country history height popularity ranged south_carolina georgia continued world war members beach patrols tasked surveillance south_carolina beaches nazi boat attacks enemy troop spy landings 1960s races beaches tradition revived cultural festival races continued festival future years formed association developed efforts working owners breed enthusiasts goal preserving promoting breed breed registry closed registry august maintained closed outside horses registered proof origin visual inspection dna confirmation complete articulated horse skeleton believed unearthed archaeological dig florida approximately year old skeleton found site housed conservation region coastal georgia south_carolina common horse breed history automobile common 20th century breed numbers declined thought gone extinct 1980s 1990s today living animals recognized breed registry including survival trust considers breed critical nearly extinct levels meaning fewer breeding existence considers consider strain colonial spanish horse critical levels meaning fewer annual united_states estimated global population representatives state breed numbers increase estimated members ensure permanent survival june bill signed law state heritage horse south_carolina began investigating truly spanish stock organization initial field investigations found surviving members breed fit physical type colonial spanish stock american livestock breeds collaborated collect dna samples photo document largest herd south_carolina considered largest remaining herd heritage tracing american_civil_war dna testing undertaken effort identify horses new reveal dna markers breed carries map breed genetic place horse breeds worldwide horses tested effort
Carolina Marsh Tacky