florida horse breed horse florida united_states genetically physically similar spanish style horses especially spanish group breed known agility speed spanish brought horses florida expeditions early 16th century colonial settlement progressed horses cattle horses developed type seen today continued florida known 1930s point superseded needed work larger cattle brought florida dust bowl population numbers declined efforts private families florida government breed saved extinction concern low numbers livestock consider breed numbers critical point characteristics known pony florida modern breed retains size spanish ancestors standing hands inches high weighing pounds found mainly bay black gray chestnut seen colors occasionally found straight slightly concave profiles strong backs sloping known speed agility trail endurance riding extensively stock horses seen western riding sports working cow horse team team horse breed association recognizing running walk addition regular walk single known rack breed enthusiasts foundation breed developed spanish stock including horse similar type banker horse spanish style breeds eastern united_states dna testing proven separate breeds history horses arrived southeast north american mainland brought second trip region officers scouts livestock later expeditions brought horses cattle spanish florida late 16th century horses extensively local cattle business late 17th century industry especially northern florida southern georgia horses brought north_america spanish subsequently bred included spanish breeds overall relatively small physical traits distinctive spanish breeds including short backs sloping shoulders low set tails wide early cattle drivers nicknamed florida georgia spanish horses drive cattle eventually known cattle received nickname distinctive cracking transferred horses rode cattle primary use stock horses type developed horse known speed endurance agility century 1930s type predominant horse southeastern united_states american civil war purchased large amounts beef florida spanish horses bred highly desired riding horses time continual introduction new spanish blood cuba horses traded areas dust bowl large western cattle moved florida bringing parasitic cattle parasite needed treated frequently found horses bred working smaller cattle able hold western cattle replaced smaller horses resulted florida breed extinct 20th century breed survival 20th century owed families continued breed horse kept distinct alive donated herd pure bred horses state florida state started small prairie state preserve horses owned private families remained breed founded registry established registry created horses designated foundation horses offspring immediately registered horses came mainly lines designated breed experts horses denied entry registry horses registered foundation registry effective july declared official state horse main stock smaller lines state florida maintains groups line horses breeding purposes display group prairie preserve state annually sells excess horses individual breeders send horses sale livestock considers breed critical status colonial spanish horse family meaning estimated global population breed fewer fewer annually united_states considers population critical meaning active adult breeding existence today breed numbers slowly rise horse original horse bred horses captured expedition extinct create having influence quarter horse sources use describe today 1970s surge interest horses bearing strong original breed died breed association longer exists
Florida Cracker Horse