When the Spanish conquistadors and colonists brought their horses to the Americas, they could not have imagined the impact their horses would have on the New World. The horses totally changed the lifestyle of the native people in both North and South America for centuries and beyond. The horses formed the root stock of EVERY modern American breed and every color breed as well.
They were tough and survived conditions unheard of in modern times – and they thrived on the grassy plains of the Americas. Even the U.S. government’s attempts to wipe them out in order to subdue the native people failed. Although many horses died during that horrific period, enough survived to procreate and carry on their lines in the northwest, southwest, southeast, and the islands off the east coast of North America.
They were introduced by astute breeders to imported European breeds, adding their strength and beauty to our most beloved American breeds.
- The Morgan
- American Saddlebred
- American Saddle Horse
- Rocky Mountain Horse
- Palomino
- Pinto
- Buckskin
- Appaloosa
- American Paint Horse
- Pony of the Americas
- The world’s most popular modern breed, the American Quarter Horse
In each of these well known modern breeds there are traits of their ancestors in their myriad colors, in their willingness to partner with humans, in their beauty of conformation and way of going, be it gaited or the smoothest jog trot anyone ever sat. They are an American treasure and we are blessed by their presence in our lives.