{"id":6,"date":"2010-08-08T22:01:06","date_gmt":"2010-08-08T22:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=6"},"modified":"2025-10-28T21:57:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T21:57:09","slug":"abaco-barb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/abaco-barb","title":{"rendered":"Abaco Barb Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"
*Update – sadly in 2015 the Abaco Barb blog<\/a> posted that the last mare of the breed had died. Thankfully they have preserved her genetics and the government of the Bahamas approved a plan to restore the breed<\/a>.<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Intro<\/h3>\n

For as long as anyone can remember there has been a herd of horses on the island of Abaco in the Bahamas. However it wasn’t until relatively recently (1998) that the Abaco Barb’s distinct features created an interest in the unknown origin of their roots.<\/p>\n

Origins<\/h3>\n

The ancestors of these animals are thought to have come from the ships of Spanish explorers in the late 15th or early 16th centuries and have inhabited the island ever since. Due to their extreme geographical isolation, herd bloodlines have remained relatively pure. This simple fact makes them an important link to the past and to the history of horses in the Americas. <\/p>\n

Getting Legitimate<\/h3>\n

In 2002, the herd was accepted by the Horse of America’s Registry<\/a> as Abaco Barbs, horses of Spanish Barb<\/a> ancestry proven through DNA testing. The resulting purity of their blood created a renewed interest in preservation of the Barbs on Abaco Island and attempts are being made to grow their numbers. <\/p>\n

A portion of land was donated as a sanctuary by the Bahaman Government and a plan developed to manage\/ grow the herd. Unfortunately natural reproduction in this herd seemed to grind to a halt after hurricane Floyd in 1999. Recent conservation efforts have been touch and go, sadly this hardy herd hovers on the verge of extinction – now more so than ever.<\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Prominent Barb<\/a> features
\nAverage height 13.2 – 14.2 hands
\nSturdy and strong<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Head is large and rangy with a convex profile
\nForehead is broad
\nBody is short and stocky
\nTail is low set and luxurious as is the mane<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

black<\/a> | bay<\/a> | pinto<\/a> | roan<\/a><\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Willful and proud<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

Wild animals<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

*All links open in a new window<\/small>
\nAbaco Wild Horse Fund<\/a>
\nHorse of America’s Registry<\/a><\/p>\n

Video<\/h3>\n