From the DESERT HERITAGE BREEDS website: "We are proud owners and breeders of the historic Wilbur-Cruce strain of the Spanish Barb, also known as the Colonial Spanish Horse.
The Wilbur-Cruce horses lived isolated for more than 100 years on a remote ranch in southern Arizona under harsh conditions. Oral history as well as blood typing confirms the uniqueness of this herd which today consists of about 120 horses.
"This particular herd of horses had an unusual history which traced directly back to a group of twenty six horses purchased for ranch use in 1885. These, in turn were descendants of the high quality stock used to supply the mission chain from Mexico into Arizona during the late 1600's and early 1700's." American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

These are the horses, called "little rock horses", that Father Kino used in his mission work.
The original owner of the ranch from which this herd was gathered, Eva Antonia Wilbur-Cruce. wrote a book called "A BEAUTIFUL CRUEL COUNTRY" detailing the history of this herd and life on the ranch.

Silke welcomes visitors to her ranch here in Tucson to visit these people-loving, friendly horses.