5
September 2016
Horse Racing Has Deep Roots on Kiawah (Continued from Previous Page)
a unique strain of Colonial Spanish Horse dating back to the
1500s. The breed is found only in South Carolina and is one
of the most endangered horse breeds in the world. Once they
roamed freely by the hundreds through the South Carolina Sea
Islands and Lowcountry, but their numbers neared extinction as
tractors, trucks and development took the place of horsepower.
Today, there are less than 400 Marsh Tackies left.
In 2007, the 501(c)3 CMTA was formed to preserve and
promote the breed. Horse owners and enthusiasts are diligently
working to save the breed from extinction. DNA tests have
been performed on the remaining horses and a breed registry
has been developed by the Livestock Conservancy. In honor of
its long history in the state, the Marsh Tacky was named the
South Carolina State Heritage Horse in 2010.
To learn more about this resilient little horse, visit the CMTA
online at marshtaky.info. To see a Marsh Tacky race in action,
check out this exciting video from 2011 in Hilton Head, SC at
https://youtu.be/uOOGJtATd10.
Fun, Education and Exploration with the Kiawah Conservancy
Join the Kiawah Conservancy this October for two exciting
and unique Conservation Matters events. Both events are
complimentary. For more information on the Conservancy,
visit kiawahconservancy.org.
Edisto River: Black Water Crown Jewel
Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 3 p.m.
Come along with the Conservancy for a journey of the longest
free-flowing black water river in North America through the
photographs and words of Larry and Rosie Price, accompanied
by publisher Susan Kammeraad-Campbell. To reserve
your space for this free program call 843-768-2029 or visit
kiawahconservancy.org.
Alligators: More Than Meets the Eye
Thursday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m.
This event is a joint program between Conservation Matters
and KICA's Our World lecture series. This exiting, free
symposium puts a spotlight on the Lowcountry's most ancient
creature, the alligator, and the research currently underway
on Kiawah Island exploring this fascinating reptile. The
Conservancy's newest documentary on Kiawah's alligators,
which features local researchers, will premiere during the
symposium. Speakers include Matt Guillette, Theresa Cantu,
Thomas Rainwater, and other field biologists associated with
the ongoing research. Contact the Sandcastle at sandcastle@
kica.us or 843-768-3875 for reservations.