Campaign to save the Wilbur-Cruce Mission Horse from extinction in 2026.

  • We are a team of competent and passionate horsemen, conservationists, and veterinarians committed to preserving and protecting the remaining Wilbur Cruce genetics.

  • We aim to preserve the Wilbur Cruce horses through collaborative care.

    Our 2026 breeding plan is straightforward:

    1. Locate and secure the remaining viable mares.

    2. Work together with owners, reproduction veterinarians, and SBHA volunteers, and determine the best breeding methods to produce foals.

    3. If we are successful, we ensure a sufficient number of offspring to preserve the Wilbur Cruce Spanish horse for future generations.

  • We collaborate with top experts in our field—scientists, conservationists, horsemen, and veterinarians—who focus on equine genetics and breeding.

  • To sponsor a mare and her breeding, which will sustain a specific breeding program in producing a much-needed foal from the old genetics.

In 2026, only 21 viable mares and three registered stallions remain.

Complicating conservation efforts, most of the remaining broodmares are in their teens and have never foaled, making them more difficult and costly to breed. Most of these genetics trace back to the original herd removed from the Wilbur Cruce ranch in the 1990s. For most of them, 2026 is the last year that we have a chance to get a foal for future generations.

The Spanish Barb Horse Association, through the Save Our Stallions(SOS) Mare Initiative Program, is launching an urgent preservation campaign to secure the Wilbur Cruce’s remaining genetics.

This year’s objective is clear: maximize successful breedings of older, mostly maiden mares with the few remaining stallions to carry critical bloodlines into the next generation.

Why this matters.

01
The Colonial Spanish Mission horse’s genetic diversity is limited and vulnerable. Each successful foal preserves unique alleles and links to historical lineages that would be lost if these mares are not bred now.

02
Older maiden mares represent irreplaceable reservoirs of genetics; delaying risks of losing those lines through age-related infertility or health decline.

03
Coordinated, expert-led breeding increases the likelihood of conception, healthy pregnancies and viable foals.

Collaborative Approach to Conservation.

Our strategy to assist the remaining breedable mares and stallions involves a collaborative approach. A coordinated program will be established through partnerships among owners, veterinarians, reproductive specialists, and other relevant stakeholders. This plan encompasses the following key elements:

  1. Prioritize mares and stallions.

  2. Select breeding method per pairing.

  3. Execute breedings in collaboration with the team for individual mares.

We rely on donors to support a specific mare and fund an essential project focused on mare care and breeding. If you'd like to help, you can sponsor a particular mare and her breeding program. Donors assist our team—including mare owners, reproduction specialists, and veterinarians—in covering the costs necessary for successful and healthy foal births.

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Meet the Mares

  • Miranda De Dragoon

    22 yr old WIlbur-Cruce Colonial Spanish Horse.

    Miranda is a tobiano, one of the last. Her sire Padre was one of the main stallions taken off the Historic Wilbur-Cruce Ranch. Her dam Sabana Seca was a first generation off the Ranch. 

    Miranda had one foal, Julietta, and has one grandfilly, Bella Rosa,  unfortunately, Miranda has not been able to carry a foal since, any time she has been bred. 

    Miranda has the excellent Spanish Barb temperament, very level headed, easy to work with and a wonderful, safe riding horse. 

    Continuing her genetics is of the utmost importance.

  • Mirabella Cruce

    19 yr old WIlbur Cruce/McKinley, Romero cross

    Mirabella is a second generation WC cross with some of the oldest ranch line spanish barb crosses.

  • Sofia

    Sofia WC 108, pure Wilbur-Cruce mare, DOB: 4/10/2003

    Sire: Padre #12 WC2

    Dam: Sombra WC44

    Sofia was a twin (she had a brother, not sure what happened to him.)

    Both Padre and Sombra, Sofia’s sire and dam, were wild-caught from the Wilbur Cruce ranch. As a first-generation offspring of the ranch, her genetics are highly valuable for breeding a foal. Currently, she has a filly born in 2025. Since this is her only foal so far and she has recently given birth, she has a good chance of being bred again or undergoing embryo transfer.

  • Serita Cruce

    16 yr old Wilbur-Cruce mare

    Serita possesses rare bloodlines of Cruise Control and Serrana. Cruise Control, a foundation stallion wild-caught on the ranch, is regarded by Dr. Sponanburg as the closest in Spanish type to the ideal. Serrana, Serita’s mother is by Geronimo out of Billie’s Magdalena. These were both foundation horses that have produced

    She has a compact Jennet-type build, is gaited, and exhibits intelligence, sensibility, and excellent overall condition, making her suitable for long-distance travel. She is currently being bred to Cococito, one of the key breeding stallions who, like Serita, has correct Spanish conformation. This will likely be one of his final breeding years, as he is 26 years old.

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