Discover The Horse That Discovered America
A Non-Profit, 501c3 Organization
2021 SBHA Annual Meeting Scheduled
October 21-24, 2021
The Versatile Spanish Barb Horse
Driving Marathan Course
A. Carden Photo
A. Carden Photo
Mounted
Shooting
Kelly Aldrich Photo
Trail Riding
A. Carden Photo
Herding Buffalo
Natural Horsemanship, at Liberty
Kelly AldrichPhoto
Endurance Riding
Spanish Walk
Spanish Barbs make excellent stock horses.
Living History Demonstration
HOW DID THE HORSES CROSS THE OCEAN?
Endurance Riding
These images depict how horses were transported to America in the 15th century. King Ferdinand and Queen
Isabella of Spain, gave Christopher Columbus a royal
edict to set up horse breeding farms in the New World on his return ocean voyage in 1493.
Given the opportunity, most horses react to fear by fleeing. It would be a terrifying experience for the horse to be blindfolded and no longer feel his hooves on the ground as he is loaded onto the ship. He has been asked to do the seemingly impossible, remain calm while being transported into the air where there is no means of escape. Every instinct would tell him to struggle and remove himself from a situation that he considers is a threat to his life.
Imagine the voyage experience in the dark and rolling belly of the ship, where the horse is totally immobilized. Envision the ship tossed in a storm, one leg is tied to the deck, his belly is held in a sling for an often frightening, two to three month voyage. Yet, his qualities are the means for his survival.....as if through fire.