The Colonial Spanish is not a true breed of horse, rather it is the Spanish Barb horse that has become a style or type of horses found through North and South America. Depending on where you are located the Colonial Spanish horse may include Kiger Mustangs, Spanish Mustangs, and other wild caught horses that exemplify the Iberian breed characteristics.
The Horse of the America's claims that the Colonial Spanish horse type is the first true American breed of horses that were uniquely capable of living independent of humans in the newly settled areas of South and up into North America.
Colonial Spanish horses are well known for their ability as endurance or distance riding horses. They are popular throughout the southern and western United States for these types of competitions but are also seen in the northern states as well as up into Canada. Their type is also commonly found throughout South America.
Although many of the Colonial Spanish horses will be naturally gaited, not all will be. In the registry horses can show either a lateral movement, which makes them gaited, or a standard diagonal pattern which means they are not gaited.
The Spanish Colonial horse may actually have one less vertebra than many other horse breeds. If they do have the full 5th and 6th vertebra present they are often fused.
There are actually three different types of body styles that are accepted within the registry. The first is the lighter, smaller southwestern type, more commonly seen in the Mustangs. The second type is the Andalusian style with the traditional Spanish or Iberian features. The third type is a mixture of the two, know as the Spanish Ginete. This horse is stockier, heavier and more blocky in appearance than the other two types.
Horses within the Horse of the Americas registry can earn cumulative points within various types of competitions to earn rewards and titles within the registry. A horse that earn 500 points in any category is listed as a Legend. Horse of the year awards are also presented in different categories. Children, experienced riders and novice riders can all earn points in activities suited to their riding level.
Because of the various breeding within the Colonial Spanish Horse almost any color or pattern can exist. These are often very flashy looking horses with very unique colorations and exhibiting a wide range of colorations from pintos to roans and palominos to solids.
Gymkhana, barrel racing, agility and speed events as well as livestock work are just a few of the competitions you may see Colonial Spanish horses competing in.
The frame overo pattern, with dark coloration along the frame or profile of the horse and pinto patterning in distinctive and clear patterns across the body is almost exclusively found on the Colonial Spanish horse and is relatively rare and highly distinctive. Usually this color pattern will clearly indicate the lineage of the Colonial Spanish.
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