Additional Information about The Wild Horses of Abaco (WHOA)

The wild horses of Abaco were thought to be a myth. Many stories were told about these beautiful animals. And, the wild horses of Abaco are still clinging to a precarious existence in a preserve in the pine forests of Abaco.

Research about the horses' history began in 1992. Based on three separate DNA tests the horses are internationally accepted as a sub group of the rare Spanish Barb breed. The wild horses of Abaco are critically endangered and likely the rarest breed of horse on the planet. Many organizations are hoping to see the horses come back from near extinction for the second time. They have much to offer as a heritage breed because they are disease and parasite free.

Spanish Barbs were bred from the Barbary horses of North Coast Africa. One of the desert tribes, known as the Moors, invaded Spain with these peerless war horses and ruled Spain for hundreds of years. When the Moors were driven out of Spain, the Spanish crossed these horses with their own breeds and came up with a horse of great intelligence, built for speed, stamina and survival under extreme conditions.

During logging operations on Abaco horses were imported from Cuba in the late 1800’s, early 1900’s. Columbus had two horse farms on Cuba. There are no horses like the Abacos in Cuba today, but several experts have declared the Abaco horses to be among the purest examples of the horses brought to the New World during the Spanish Conquest.

When tractors came into use for the logging operations, the horses were abandoned. They managed to adapt to a harsh environment that turned out to be an equine paradise of shady pine forest filled with forage and fresh water. Rough ground kept their hooves trimmed.

With the building of the Abaco Highway in the 1960’s the horses’ paradise was destroyed. A tragedy involving a blameless wild horse and a child resulted in the slaughter of a herd once estimated to be from 150 to 200 herd. Three horses were brought out of captivity and placed on the newly developing Bahamas Star Farm, located in the middle of second growth forest. From one stallion, a mare and her filly the herd rebuilt to about 30-35 head when they were roughly counted in 1992.

In 2002 the remaining horses were granted a government preserve of 3800 acres and the horses were moved back into their ancestral home. Pre existing conditions took more lives. The long walk to the preserve started circulation again and hooves rapidly regained strength.

The prevailing mood in the forest is one of tranquility, filtered dappled light, birdsong and the wind sighing in the tall pines. There are few sounds of civilization here.

The horses spend nearly all their time foraging and they eat a wide variety of vegetation. Today the herd is at eight; four mares and four stallions. This rare herd has attracted international attention. They are in glowing good health. They are living time capsules, classic examples of the carefully bred horse with which the Spanish conquered the New World. WHOA (Wild Horses Of Abaco Preservation Society) in Abaco and Arkwild, Inc. (a 501. c 3 charity) in the US are working hard to keep the herd going.

It is the goal of Arkwild and WHOA to build the herd back up to viable numbers once again and to maintain the horses in a free environment as much as possible. This offers unique opportunities for research into the behavior of horses free of human dominance. It also allows visitors a chance to experience a peaceful environment and see the rare and beautiful horses on their own terms.

Fundraising Efforts

Olivia Whitten, Angela Wingo's daughter was asked to give a presentation to the 6th grade science class at Good Shepherd Catholic School on May 15, 2009 to tell the class about the Wild Horses of Abaco. The presentation was well received.

Contributions

The Selby Group - $2260.22

Terry Hounshell, Central FL Home Inspections $100.00

Joe Rudd-Cool Rite $250.00

Rampart Security $250.00

Carl Green Accountants, PA $100.00

Aubrey Garner and Claudia DeMao $50.00

John and Robbie Kossler $25.00

John Reece $200.00

Joyce Wingo - $50.00

Joe & Meghan Whitten - $100.00

Harry & Lynn Rusbridge - $150.00

Good Shepherd Catholic School - $330.00