Today, rapid genetic erosion is occurring in all of the livestock species of North America to the extent that nearly 80 livestock breeds are in decline or in danger of extinction. Part of the Florida Agricultural Museum’s mission is the preservation of heritage livestock breeds descended from animals introduced to Florida by Spaniards during the 1500s. These include Florida Cracker Horses and Cattle.

Florida Cracker Cattle are one of the oldest breeds of cattle in the United States, descending from Spanish cattle brought to the New World be- ginning in 1493. As the Spaniards colonized Florida and other parts of the Americas, they established low-input extensive open range systems typical of Spanish ranching. Florida Cracker Cattle and other breeds which developed under these conditions are called criollo cattle, which means ‘of Spanish origin, but born in the New World’.

The genetic heritage of Florida Cracker Cattle is derived from crossing lighter-colored European types of all-purpose cow found in the Humid Crescent of northern Iberia with the wild or semi-wild, black dark red, and dark brown descendants of that uniquely Iberian breed, Bos taurus ibericus, the ancestor of the modern fighting bull.

This resulted in a very hardy hybrid stock, varying astonishingly in color and color combinations from creams, yellow, and duns to deep brown, red, and black. The stock was characterized by markedly feral instincts and often complete wildness. These cattle were generally unsuited for dairy or draft purposes, but well suited to the open range with their long faces, low- swinging heads, formidable horns, narrow sides, and long legs.

As a breed, Florida Cracker Cattle were shaped primarily by natural selection in an environment that is generally hostile to cattle. This has resulted in a breed that is heat-tolerant, long lived, resistant to parasites and diseases, and productive on low quality forage native to the grasslands and swamps of the deep South.

It was not until the importation of Zebus from India, and the development of the American Brahman breed that the Florida Cracker had competition from other heat tolerant cattle. The development of parasiticides and other medications allowed European breeds to survive in the deep South, further diversifying the Florida cattle industry. The influx of the new breeds nearly caused the extinction of Florida Cracker Cattle.

By the mid-1900s, the majority of purebred cows had been cross- bred to Brahmas, and then to British and other European breeds. The Cracker cow provided hardiness and maternal ability which allowed cross-breeding programs to succeed, and the genetic distance between Florida Cracker Cattle and other breeds created exceptional hybrid vigor in the offspring. The credit for success was always given to the improved breeds, and the Florida Cracker was largely abandoned. Purebred Florida Cracker Cattle survived through the efforts of a few Florida families stubbornly resistant to ‘progress’.

Cracker Cattle are small, with cows weigh- ing 600-800 pounds, and bulls weighing 800- 1,200 pounds. They exhibit the angular con- formation typical of Spanish cattle adapted to harsh conditions. Horn style and shape vary widely with polled cattle found occasionally. The breed shares many of the same bloodlines as the Texas Longhorns and the Pineywoods cattle of Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. Colors vary and are a legacy from the breed’s ancestors in the south of Spain, where even today ranchers prefer multi-colored herds. Generally, solid red, dun, black, blue, and brindle colors predominate.

Florida Cracker Horses trace their ancestry to Spanish stock brought to Florida during the 16th century. The genetic heritage of the Cracker Horse is derived from the Iberian horse of early 15th century Spain, North African Barb, Sorraia, and Spanish Jennet. Its genetic base is very similar to that of the Spanish Mustang, Paso Fino, Criollo, and other breeds developed from the horses introduced to the Americas by the Spaniards and Portuguese.

Early in Florida’s history, cattle ranching be- came a major industry. Cattle, hides, and tal- low were major exports to Cuba and other destinations for hundreds of years. The Spaniards, Seminoles, and Americans were all to use the small, agile Spanish horses to work the large herds of cattle in the state.

Florida Cracker Horses are small saddle horses standing from 13.5 to 15.2 hands at the withers and weighing between 700 and 1,000 pounds. The head is refined and intelligent in appearance. The profile is straight or slightly concave. The eyes are keen with an alert expression. The neck is well defined, without excessive crest and is about the same length as the distance from the withers to the croup. The chest is medium to narrow in width with an inverted “V” formed between the two front legs. A well laid back shoulder with smooth muscling is preferred. The back is short, narrow, and strong with well spring ribs. The point of the withers and the point of the croup are equal in height. The under line is longer than the top line. The croup is sloping and short and the tail is set medium low. Colors are any of those known to the horse, however solid colors and grays predominate. Cracker Horses are willing workers whose actions show spirit, amazing stamina, and endurance. They have been used for trail, pleasure, reining, hauling, and always as working cow horses.

Cracker Horses have been known by a variety of names: Chicksaw Pony, Seminole Pony, Marsh Tackie, Prairie Pony, Florida Horse, Florida Cow Pony and many others. Today, there are almost 1,000 registered Florida Cracker Horses. The Florida Agricultural Museum is proud to help in the conservation of this unique horse breed.