Remembering the Abaco Barb: A Vanished Piece of Equine History

Kim Williams
Oct 1
2 min read

This Week’s Topic: A Rare Breed Lost to Time

In this week’s Virtual Education class, we explored the remarkable and tragic story of the Abaco Barb—a breed of horse that once roamed the islands of the Bahamas and is now considered extinct. The lesson reminded us not only of the importance of conservation, but also of the rich diversity in horse breeds across the world.

Who Were the Abaco Barbs?

The Abaco Barb was a small, hardy horse breed that lived on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. These horses were believed to be descended from Spanish Barbs brought to the Caribbean during the age of exploration—possibly survivors from shipwrecks or horses left behind by early settlers.

Despite their size, these horses were resilient, sure-footed, and well-adapted to the harsh island terrain. Their lineage traced back to some of the original horses that helped shape the Americas, making them an important living link to equine history.

A Tragic End to a Rare Lineage

At one time, there were over 200 Abaco Barbs living on the island. However, due to a mix of habitat destruction, lack of protection, and human interference, the population dwindled. The last known Abaco Barb died in 2015, marking the extinction of the breed.

Today, their story serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife preservation—and the importance of learning about and protecting rare breeds before it’s too late.

A Quick Note on Horse Safety

Learning about the Abaco Barb also gave us an opportunity to discuss horse safety, both for the rider and the horse. Whether you're working with a rare breed or your own backyard pony, safety is essential to horse care.

In our classes, we emphasize:

Understanding horse body language
Proper handling techniques
Safe grooming and tacking practices
Recognizing early signs of distress or injury
Emergency preparedness and basic first aid

Safety is not just about avoiding injury—it's about building trust, confidence, and a strong bond between horse and handler.

Expand Your Equine Knowledge Every Week

Join Our Virtual Education Classes

Want to continue learning about horse breeds, equine care, safety, and more? Join us every week for our Virtual Education Classes, held Thursdays at 7:00 PM Central Time.

These sessions are perfect for:

Beginner riders
Experienced equestrians
Horse owners
Future industry professionals
Anyone who loves horses!

Here’s What You’ll Learn

Our classes go in-depth on:

Horse breeds and history
Riding disciplines and tack
Everyday care and nutrition
Equine behavior and safety
First aid basics
And much more!

🖱️ Register here: https://www.texaseeh.com/virtual-education

Members attend FREE! If you’re a TEEH member, these classes are completely free.

Your Equine Education Starts Here

Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge or simply want to connect with other horse lovers, our Virtual Education Classes are a fun, interactive way to grow your understanding of horses and the equine industry.

Join us every Thursday at 7 PM—we’ll be ready to ride into a new topic with you! 🐴