One mare is from the wilds of North Carolina, Corolla. The other is from the tames of South Carolina, Lowther Farm. Secotan, the Corolla mare descends from the Spanish horses of the 1520's and her shape remains essentially untouched by human hands. Her pin bones are not considered unstylish by nature so they were allowed to remain. The Marsh Tacky was domesticated and bred by humans since the 1700's. Secotan is a Spanish horse. Hickory Wind is an American and is likely the closest cousin to the wild Bankers of which the Corollas are one herd.
Being Americanized changed the Tacky as surely as being wild and adopting to the wild changed the Corolla. The changes took slightly different paths.
The changes are but surface changes. Each carries all of the wonderful attributes of the Colonial Spanish Horse.
(If you recognized the title of this post as being the play that Lincoln was watching when he was assassinated go tell at least one of your parents that they raised a smart kids.)
This photo is no fluke either, two such similar specimens may often be found in nature, and on opposite ends of the globe, here at Mill Swamp, Parahunt, Valor, Secotan, Skyco, Manteo, Edward Teach, and now Hickory Wind all share not only their coloration, but fairly close conformation. What is truly incredible is that near copies of these lovely ladies and gentlement of the equine nation may be found roaming wild upon the steppes of Mongolia. I followed the Mongol Cup endurance race this past summer (want to go!)and in the photos of the sturdy little mongol ponies there are many horses with an uncanny resemblance to the Banker horses. -Lloyd
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