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Discussion on Have you ever heard of Marsh Tackys? | |
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Member: mrose |
Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 2:05 pm: I found this article really interesting. I've never heard of these horses, even though they've been around for a long time. Here's an article on them that I received in my email this a.m from thehorse.comOnline News Endangered Marsh Tacky Horses DNA Tested for Conservation Effort by: Edited Press Release May 23 2007 Article # 9641 Article Tools PHOTO DWAIN SNYDER, COURTESY EQUUS SURVIVAL TRUST The Equus Survivial Trust estimates 100-150 Marsh Tacky horses remain. The Equus Survival Trust recently sent a team to South Carolina to collect DNA samples and take photos of the largest remaining herd of Carolina Marsh Tackys. This herd can trace its heritage back to the Civil War. The Trust invited livestock organization American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) to participate in further identifying the horses in a joint effort to help breeders produce the first studbook for the breed, which has existed for 400 years. Nearly 60 head of semi-feral horses of all ages belonging to DP Lowther, a third generation breeder, were rounded up to pull mane hair. The results will help ensure the conservation of the critically endangered breed. Samples will be sent to Gus Cothran, PhD, at Texas A&M University to analyze. "The DNA samples will reveal what markers they carry, hopefully Spanish and thereby confirm their connection to Colonial Spanish grouping," said Victoria Tollman, executive director of the Equus Survival Trust. "DNA will also permanently identify each horse for the studbook. These foundation animals will then be able to be referenced for parentage verification of progeny and help assure the purity of the future bloodstock. "Also, the samples as a group will help Dr. Cothran continue mapping out the equine family tree of the world's horses. And lastly, the DNA will show the relatedness of the present 'herd.' This info will show how healthy and how diverse the herd is. Based upon those findings, Dr. Cothran can make recommendations on breeding management, the goal being to keep the gene pool genetically diverse and healthy," Tollman said. Descending from stock brought by the Spanish, these little horses of the upper southeastern coast are likely some of the original rootstock for the foundation Quarter Horse and the Kentucky Mountain saddle horses. In Colonial times they were used on cattle drives, and for general riding, transport, and farming. The breed's ability to safely navigate marshy swamps and tolerate biting insects made them exceptional saddle and hunting horses in the low country. Today its fate rests in the hands of a few dedicated breeders. A bill has been introduced requesting the breed designated as the official State Horse of South Carolina. With approximately 100-150 horses taking their final stand in the low country of South Carolina, the Equus Survival Trust lists the status of the Carolina Marsh Tacky as Critical. The Equus Survival Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps coordinate and support the conservation efforts of over 25 endangered historical breeds and their associated organizations. Its mission is to protect the genetic diversity of all historic horses, ponies, and donkeys currently threatened with extinction and to enhance the survival of these endangered breeds through education, media support, and grassroots networking as it relates to conservation. For more information see www.Equus-Survival-Trust.org. |
Member: terrilyn |
Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 3:21 pm: Yes, yes, yes!! I have a friend who owns one that came from South Carolina. They have been written about quite a lot recently, to include Equus (if memory serves correctly). The breed was also officially designated as the official horse of South Carolina. See below. By the way...my friend's Marsh Tacky just carried her 13-yo daughter to the gymkhana 4H championship for Virginia's northeast region.South Carolina General Assembly 116th Session, 2005-2006 Download This Bill in Microsoft Word format Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter H. 3772 STATUS INFORMATION General Bill Sponsors: Reps. Ceips, Limehouse, Whipper, Rivers, Altman, Bales, Battle, Bowers, Breeland, R. Brown, Chalk, Clemmons, Coates, Dantzler, Herbkersman, Jefferson, McGee, Miller, Perry, Scarborough, Umphlett, Viers and Young Document Path: l:\council\bills\gjk\20329sd05.doc Introduced in the House on March 15, 2005 Currently residing in the House Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions Summary: Marsh Tacky designated the official state horse HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS Date Body Action Description with journal page number ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/15/2005 House Introduced and read first time HJ-104 3/15/2005 House Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-104 2/16/2006 House Recalled from Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-32 2/16/2006 House Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions HJ-32 View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site VERSIONS OF THIS BILL 3/15/2005 (Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-710 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE MARSH TACKY AS THE OFFICIAL STATE HORSE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding: "Section 1-1-710. (A) The General Assembly finds: (1) the Marsh Tacky is a horse with a unique history in South Carolina; (2) the Marsh Tacky is an almost forgotten breed of horse in our State. Once existing in feral herds on the barrier islands and mainland of South Carolina's Lowcountry, they have played a unique and pivotal role in the history of our State; (3) various theories exist as to the origin of the Marsh Tacky in South Carolina; (4) during the 1800's, Marsh Tackys captured wild from South Carolina's barrier islands were trained as children's mounts, to pull buggies, to plow fields, and also were considered to be excellent mounts for hunting wild game because of their endurance, level-headedness, and ability to navigate marsh bogs without sinking; (5) modern development of this state's barrier islands slowly forced the Marsh Tacky's removal from the wild places their breed had lived for more than three hundred years. Once existing by the hundreds on Hilton Head Island during the 1940's and 1950's they are virtually unknown to the present day inhabitants; (6) pure Marsh Tackys now exist only in small numbers, and presently there is only one known herd being carefully preserved in our State; (7) much is owed to this determined breed of horse that helped people settle South Carolina when it was still a dangerous frontier; (8) the Marsh Tacky rightfully deserves a place of honor in our memories as well as to be preserved for future generations in South Carolina. (B) The Marsh Tacky is designated as the official State Horse of South Carolina." SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. ----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 9, 2007 at 4:08 PM |
Member: mrose |
Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 4:26 pm: Terri, interesting! I did a search after seeing the article in theHorse, and found out a little more about them. I love learning about different breeds; the horse is an amazing species! btw, there are other horses in this country that are endangered, as well as sub-groups of breeds. Many of them I've never heard of before, like the Florida Cracker. Now, I've always heard the term "Cracker" but it was in reference to people, not a horse. |
Member: terrilyn |
Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 4:46 pm: Yes, I've heard of the Florida Cracker too, Sara. I think they're related. I thought I remembered reading that the origins were the same or similiar. Very interesting. |
Member: mitma |
Posted on Friday, May 25, 2007 - 11:02 am: Hey You Guys!Quite interesting! You know, before I actually got several horses again, I read Phil Sponenburg's book on Equine Color Genetics and some articles he's written on the Colonial Spanish Horse in the Americas and their descendents... anyway, I learned that the wild horses of Corolla (the northern most Outer Banks of NC) and the Shackleford Banks (the bottom tip of the Outer Banks) have also been studied and show Spanish markers... There's also some information on the website of the Horse of the Americas Registry about those two barrier island breeds (I think they also recognize the Florida Cracker and the American Indian Horse... strange enough, there's a breeder in Smithfield, VA!). It's pretty cool stuff... unfortunately Terri, our beloved Chincoteague Ponies (actually they live on Assateague Island!) on the Virginia barrier islands do not appear to be connected to the Spanish Colonial Horse. Perhaps, there has just been too much crossbreeding... having gone to the Chincoteague Pony Penning several times, both as a child and an adult, I know that the Volunteer Fire Department (the owners) have introduced outside stallions (both an arabian and a quarterhorse several years ago) to "improve" the ponies. I guess most of the costal areas of the southeastern US at one time may have had horses of Spanish origin and depending whether they continued to breed in genetic isolation or not determined the outcome of those unusual horses we find today. Martha |
Member: jojo15 |
Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2007 - 11:08 am: I always thought marsh tackies and florida cracker horses were one in the same. just different ways to say it.... I'm so very interested in this being my next horse when i get more property. There are only a few breeders left in florida.here is a wonderful link to all that is old florida and photos of the last of the cowboy hunters who only will ride the florida cracker horses... https://sports.webshots.com/album/81084774SyytVl?start=12 |
Member: shanson |
Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2007 - 5:57 pm: Fascinating series of photos, Jojo! Thanks for sharing them.Those horses look like quarter horses. Are they smaller? And are they gaited? ...sharon |