Carolina Marsh Tacky Association

Carolina Marsh Tacky Association The Carolina Marsh Tacky Association was founded in 2007. A not for profit 501(c)(3) organization.

History and Future of the Marsh Tacky Horse of South Carolina

The Marsh Tacky, a rare breed of Colonial Spanish Horse found in South Carolina, descended from Iberian horses that arrived on Spanish ships in the 1500’s. The horses were abandoned along the South Carolina coast and managed to survive on their own. Relative isolation on the Sea Islands and secluded areas of the Lowcountry enabled the

horses to maintain their Spanish traits. Over the centuries the abandoned horses became adapted to the environment and developed into a unique strain of Colonial Spanish Horse, North America’s first true horse. The Marsh Tacky has played a significant role in South Carolina's history. The ancestors of today's Marsh Tacky were used by American troops in both the Revolutionary war as well as the Civil War. After the Civil War, Marsh Tackies became an essential part of the Gullah community and the agricultural community of the Lowcountry. They were used wherever horsepower was needed; to pull plows, herd cattle, hunt wild game, deliver mail, and to take families to church and children to school. Every Lowcountry family seemingly had a Marsh Tacky in their fields or gardens. They were once the major source of transportation along the coast. Traditional uses of the Marsh Tacky were replaced by machines and their numbers have dwindled drastically. Today, there are about 500 live Marsh Tackies, and individual owners, breeders, and enthusiasts are diligently working to save the Marsh Tacky and to preserve the history of the breed. These fabulous horses are now making their presence known in multiple disciplines. They are actively competing in Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Western and Classical Dressage, Endurance Rides, Speed Events, Obstacle Challenges, and Hunter/Jumper classes as well as Fox Hunting. They can also be found quite often participating in clinics that range through multiple disciplines also. The Marsh Tacky was named the official State Heritage Horse of South Carolina on June 11, 2010.

Congratulations to Colin Drew for his horse, Shofar, winning CMTA’s Horse of the Year. Shofar has represented the Marsh ...
05/04/2026

Congratulations to Colin Drew for his horse, Shofar, winning CMTA’s Horse of the Year. Shofar has represented the Marsh Tacky breed at events across the state. Shofar comes from David Grant’s farm and is off his stud DP.

ROLL CALL📣📣Coming to the Annual Meeting at H Cooper Black on May 2nd? Let us know in the comments
04/11/2026

ROLL CALL📣📣

Coming to the Annual Meeting at H Cooper Black on May 2nd?

Let us know in the comments

Remember Folks! Completed applications are due by this Friday the 20th!
03/16/2026

Remember Folks! Completed applications are due by this Friday the 20th!

Applications for Board of Director Elections are now open! If you would like to serve on the CMTA Board of Directors, please let us know by reaching out to an existing board member or by Email to [email protected] for a nomination form. All nomination forms will need to be filled out and turned in by March 20th.

Applications for Board of Director Elections are now open! If you would like to serve on the CMTA Board of Directors, pl...
03/03/2026

Applications for Board of Director Elections are now open! If you would like to serve on the CMTA Board of Directors, please let us know by reaching out to an existing board member or by Email to [email protected] for a nomination form. All nomination forms will need to be filled out and turned in by March 20th.

The 2026 CMTA Annual Meeting will be Saturday, May 2, 11:00 am. Join us H Cooper Black! A flyer will be posted soon.
02/27/2026

The 2026 CMTA Annual Meeting will be Saturday, May 2, 11:00 am. Join us H Cooper Black! A flyer will be posted soon.

02/12/2026

Come see us at SEWE 2026

We will once again have an exhibit at Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, which is Feb. 13-15. We are looking for voluntee...
01/15/2026

We will once again have an exhibit at Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, which is Feb. 13-15. We are looking for volunteers to help work our booth through the weekend and for set up on Thursday, Feb. 12. Volunteers will receive passes to this premiere annual event in Charleston. Feel free to contact a CMTA board member if you have any questions. You can find information about SEWE here: https://www.sewe.com/

Age old question: Are Zebras black with white stripes or white with black stripes? Actually they are dun.
01/12/2026

Age old question: Are Zebras black with white stripes or white with black stripes? Actually they are dun.

Are zebras black and white, or white and black?I was recently part of a discussion among other artists about zebras. The age-old question arose about whether they are white animals with black stripes or black animals with white stripes. I thought it might be fun to look at zebra coloration in light....

Thanks to everyone who came out to our 3rd Annual Tower Shoot in Kingstree. The Cedar Swamp Pheasant group do a great jo...
11/11/2025

Thanks to everyone who came out to our 3rd Annual Tower Shoot in Kingstree. The Cedar Swamp Pheasant group do a great job hosting this fundraiser for us.

11/08/2025

Great day in Cedar Swamp for our Annual Tower Shoot. Thank you for everyone who came out and supported. We all had a great time. Thank you to all of the sponsors and specifically to Sparrow & Kennedy John Deere for helping us out with transportation for our Veteran blind today. For your next equipment purchase keep them in mind!

Congratulations to Cami and Ginger Hipp!
07/29/2025

Congratulations to Cami and Ginger Hipp!

CAMI DID IT! 🎉🏆

I am absolutely over the moon to share that Cami—our pint-sized powerhouse—has officially won the 2024 Horse of the Americas Western Performance Buckle and was named Reserve Champion for English Performance in the same national program! 🤠🐴💃

That’s right—this little Marsh Tacky mare is stacking up titles and stealing hearts while doing it.

Not only was she already named the CMTA Horse of the Year, but now she’s sweeping BOTH sides of the arena. From western to English, Cami has proven once again that these horses are as versatile as they are rare.

She gives riding lessons to kids with patience, she shows in multiple disciplines with grace, and she’s now in training for ranch western riding and learning how to rope—because apparently, she can literally do it all.

✨ If you don’t have a Marsh Tacky in your life…
you’re missing out on the best little secret in the horse world. ✨

Way to go, Cami. You make us all proud. 💛

Address

PO Box 14012
Greenville, SC
29610

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