The Abaco Barb has long been shrouded in mystery & until the late 1990’s not much notice was taken of them. The ancestors of these animals were believed to have come from the ships of Spanish explorers in the late 15th/ early 16th centuries & have inhabited the island since.
Preserving the Past
Due to their extreme geographical isolation, herd bloodlines have remained incredibly pure. This simple fact makes them an important link to the past as well as the history of horses in the Americas. In 2002, the herd was accepted by the Horse of America’s Registry as horses of Spanish Barb ancestry proven through DNA testing.
The Barbs on Abaco Island are on the critically endangered list & they are the most endangered equine on the planet.
A Dangerous Game
The resulting purity of their blood created a renewed interest in preservation of the Barbs on Abaco Island & attempts are being made to grow their numbers. Recent conservation efforts have been touch and go, sadly this hardy herd still hovers on the verge of extinction.
Learning More
Be sure to check out our own Abaco Barb page as well as the Wild Horses of Abaco site to learn more about this important breed.
Have Pictures?
As of now we have no images of Abaco Barbs for our informative page on them. If you have images (or information about the breed) you’d be interested in sharing, please get in touch today.