Look closely at this great photo from optical harmonics. This is a picture of Tommi Grey down in Texas with three Colonial Spanish horses. They come from different backgrounds. Two are of the lines that most people think of when they say "mustang"--western stock--cowboys, Indians, ranches and vaqueros. The sorrel at the right side of the picture is a Corolla. He is also a Colonial Spanish horse but of a history little known, small farmers, fisherman, hurricanes, and crashing ocean waves. There are subtle differences in their builds and I suspect in their gaits.
What holds them together is much stronger than the subtle differences. All trace their lineage back to the early Spanish explorers. All are small, exceedingly sturdy, and have astounding endurance. All are dangerously close to extinction.
Reliable information on the conformation and history of these horses can be found on the web page of the Horse of the Americas Registry. The HOA leadership is made up of people that not only are dedicated to the preservation of these horses, but also know what they are talking about.
There are many different organizations out there that have an interest in Spanish mustangs. The HOA is the only registry of which I am aware that takes an active role in the preservation of the few isolated herds of Colonial Spanish mustangs that remain in the wild. The American Indian Horse Registry has a broader mission but also is supportive of efforts to preserve the Corollas and Shacklefords.
Let me hear from you if you would like to own a horse of the historic type shown in this picture. Learn how you can be a keystone in preventing the extinction of the first horse of America.)
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