Cracker Horses

The Spanish first brought horses to what is now Florida, back in the 1500's. They used those horses to herd cattle and descendants of their horses can be seen here today in Paynes Prarie State Preserve. According to Wikipedia, "The early cattle drivers, nicknamed Florida crackers and Georgia crackers, used these Spanish horses to drive cattle (eventually known as Florida Cracker cattle).[1] The cowboys received their nickname from the distinctive cracking of their whips, and the name was transferred to both the horses they rode and the cattle they herded.[3]Through their primary use as stock horses, the type developed into the Florida Cracker horse, known for its speed, endurance and agility. From the mid-16th century to the 1930s, this type was the predominant horse in the southeastern United States." For those equine enthusiasts out there...here a link to the Wikipedia article. In 2008, The Cracker Horse was declared Florida's State Horse!

These two Cracker Horses are part of a small herd that can often be seen from the La Chua Trail here in Gainesville. Look HERE for 3 additional photos from today's adventure.