At History on Hooves, we celebrate the rare Wilbur-Cruce Spanish Colonial horses, a true genetic treasure. Their unique genetic heritage offers a glimpse into the rich equestrian history of the Americas. Our goal, through collaborative efforts with Rancho del Sueno, the Spanish Barb Horse Association, Wilbur-Cruce breeders throughout the United States, and ReturntoFreedom.org, is to save this breed from extinction. Our Colorado Wilbur-Cruce team at Gratitude Ranch hopes to contribute toward this goal by raising foals from pure Wilbur-Cruce and pure Spanish mares as well as offering the opportunity to breed to our pure Wilbur-Cruce Spanish Colonial stallions. Special consideration for Wilbur-Cruce and Andalusian or PRE mares. The overo color factor is always 50-50, but their ability to pass on their spectacular trainablity is nearly assured. Gratitude Ranch has the only purebred stallions in Colorado. Fresh cooled semen is available for limited shipping
Huge thanks to Robin C. at www.ranchodelsueno.com for saving this breed!
The Wilbur-Cruce Spanish Colonial horses The Wilbur-Cruce herd are descendants of the Spanish horses brought to the Americas by the Conquistadors. Bred at Padre Kino's Rancho Delores, then brought across the border into Arizona in the late 1800's by Dr. Wilbur, where they were kept in genetic isolation on his ranch for over a century. When the Wilbur-Cruce Ranch was sold in 1991, renowned horsewoman and behaviorist Robin Collins took the largest group of these horses and continued preservation minded breeding of the herd at her Rancho Del Sueno in CA until the present day.
There are less than 100 purebred Wilber-Cruce Spanish Colonial horses in existence today, making them a critically endangered breed. Before there were horse breeds there were types. The pure Spanish horse at the time of the Conquistadors expansion into the Americas consisted of three distinct types: the Carthusian/Warhorse type, the smaller Barb type for working cattle and bullfighting, and the smallest, often gaited Jennet type that led to the South American gaited breeds. The Wilbur-Cruce herd has the rare distinction of not only preserving the pure Spanish genetics for over a century in isolation on the WC Ranch, but also remarkably preserving the three distinct types of pure Spanish Colonial horse. Our stallioins, Lladro and Mondo, are rare examples of the Carthusian/Warhorse type of the 16th century.
These horses are known for their remarkable work ethic, endurance, and versatility. They are the genetic the ancestor to todays Spanish horse, and are well suited for ranch and cattle work, with the natural collection for classical dressage, working equitation, and doma vaquera. They have been described as the closest thing to a working dog incased in a horse's body.
Why are we excited about this breed? The Wilbur-Cruce horse's ability to work hard day after day, without the need for recovery time that other breeds might require, is notable. Our stallions, the larger Carthusian Warhorse type, are robust, hardy, and well-suited for various tasks. They are naturally built for collection. They are remarkably calm and reserved with a trainability that is unsurpassed. They are the kind of heart-horse that legends are made of.
They are desparate to connect and partner with you!!