Someone stole two Rare Breed Marsh Tacky Horses from Rembert, SC late Sunday night or very early Monday morning. Please be on the lookout for these horses.The horses are friendly and someone cut the power to the fence and took the horses out of their pasture.The owner of the horses is Jackie Hood McFadden.
“My Marsh Tackies were stolen last night from Rembert, SC near Camden, SC. They are endangered Marsh Tacky horses. A bay mare, River, and a dark bay gelding, Yago, both with stars. River has a left hind pastern and her mane falls to the left. Yago has a double mane and has some roaning on his flanks. The photos are posted here: http://www.jackiemcfadden.com/STOLEN. Please get the word out. We have talked to police and I’m filling out the forms for NetPosse. They are microchipped. They are very friendly horses. The power was cut and they were taken out the back gate.”
PLEASE PLEASE help us find them!!
Please message me via my blog if you have any information.
Caden astride Molly, led by Jodie Reeves, for the South Carolina Horsemans Council booth at the Fort Mill Festival
Over a decade ago my co-conspirator and library supervisor, Jackie McFadden told me not to roll a particular bookcart back to the stacks for re-shelving. This time we were going to commit and complete a manuscript on a chosen topic. It was 2006. Jackie McFadden had found the bill for the Marsh Tacky horse in the SC legislature. The bill passed in 2010, but we haven’t completed the book yet – it is still a work in progress . We hope to complete it this year.
Little did we know that bookcart would soon turn into small libraries in each of our homes, multiple plastic containers filled with interviews, newspaper clippings, a small grant for interviews, but still no book. We would visit the coastal side of South Carolina to wake up in nearly hurricane-like conditions to meet horses and their owners in gusty winds and hard rain. We listened to the old-timers, we pulled hair for DNA samples in that weather on Johns Island. We met Molly and her person, Janson Cox who generously allowed Jackie McFadden to pull Molly’s mane hair for DNA testing.Of course, he mentioned he didn’t want Molly mad at him for the hair pulling!
I met the owner of the horse I would own a decade later. Jackie McFadden eventually became a board member of the newly founded Carolina Marsh Tacky Association. And nothing slowed down long enough for us to write more than a few notes that lead to more research. There was always another interview, another mystery horse, another test result or another stash of historical papers uncovered. There were always things we could do for CMTA such as make informative brochures, design t-shirts or even give talks on the Marsh Tacky Horse.
Marsh Tacky horse owners traveled hours to come to events across the state to show people this amazing little horse that was such a lowcountry secret it was almost extinct. They didn’t ask for money to travel, they did it on their own dime.That is how much they believe in this little horse. They believed it needed to be the South Carolina State Heritage Horse.
Meanwhile the state bill loomed over our office, rejected time and again, countless re-writes and modifications. Four years later in 2010, (and who knows how many miles on rental cars or personal vehicles!) Jackie McFadden met with Governor Sanford of South Carolina along with other Marsh Tacky Breeders and enthusiasts when he signed the “South Carolina State Heritage Horse”, the Marsh Tacky, bill into law. Without a single cent to taxpayers! The “South Carolina State Heritage Horse” was finally one of our state symbols! DP Lowther, one of the breeders with the longest unbroken history in Marsh Tacky horses, asked Jackie McFadden to come pick out a horse. She did, and named her Little Miss River.
The Marsh Tacky horse is DP, a stud owned by David Grant and named in honor of DP Lowther.
As researchers, every nugget of information we found turned into another question about the Marsh Tacky. The most important one however was “How will anyone know we have a State Heritage Horse?” Truly a grassroots program began in education – a volunteer with a horse (Janson Cox), a volunteer with a camera (Jackie McFadden), and a volunteer with a notepad(me) got together and dubbed ourselves, “Team Molly”in 2010 at the second annual Carolina Marsh Tacky Association beach race. It was three years later and the official studbook had closed, the bill had passed and over 3,000 visitors were expected to see the race.
Original 2010 Team Molly badge
Molly sized up the competition that year and did not take home the trophy. The next year 2011, Molly showed the young horses how it was done, however. If she could rock the Marsh Tacky world being the oldest horse on the beach and out-run stallions, we had some more work to do. We pulled together a self-published book, “Beach Race Champion” and got to work. Molly the oldest horse in the race had the youngest rider!
We visited schools, historical sites, events, festivals,4-H clubs, businesses. The book sales provided some gas money to haul a horse on occasion but we still filled up our tanks and got our meals on the road. Molly’s jockey, Brittany would visit the schools and talk about riding a beach race horse whenever she could.
We soon realized one horse, even if it was the magnificent Molly, could not possibly cover the entire state of South Carolina. So we reached out to owners who cared about educating our state about its new South Carolina State Heritage Horse, the Marsh Tacky. And they did, they traveled wherever there was a need to have a horse so people would know about them. And they still do.
Over the past ten years we have been collecting oral histories, family histories and stories, getting to know owners new and old and relentlessly searching for what one of our interviewees called “a paper clip, you are searching for something everyone had and they forgot they had it”. We hope to complete more childrens books about Molly once our “Natural History of the Marsh Tacky” is complete.
I would like to take a moment to thank some of the horses for the visits:
Molly, a mystery mare Marsh Tacky, who pretty much owns Janson Cox and reminds him that all Calvary cannons will go uphill in any weather, despite the riders discomfort. She is also a Daughter of the American Revolution and Calvary mount.She has been in educational documentaries about the Revolutionary War.
Gator, a shiny grulla Marsh Tacky Stud, owned by Jim & Kim Brown, have graciously showed up at my own local school district in Clover, SC as well as in schools in Chester, SC with the toughest group of teenagers.Eventually Gators good-natured attitude persisted until the teens could not resist petting Gator. Then it was ‘Totally Awesome’ to pet Gator. Gator has also been in documentaries about the SC state Heritage horse.
This year I couldn’t watch the Kentucky Derby. Its the first time in over a decade that I have not watched it. I couldn’t. I couldn’t watch it knowing somewhere out there River & Yago were wondering where they were and why they weren’t at home. Instead I watched Netposse’s video about River & Yago.
How can you help bring them home?
Watch the video, hand out flyers, share on social media. Keep your eyes open for any horses that match their description on trails, new in pastures, at sales barns and auctions. Do not hesitate to call Netposse if you think you have a lead. The safe return of these horses is all that matters. There is a new Facebook page filled with links to on-line auctions or sales if you would like to click through there to look for River & Yago. We hope they are not at a sale, but if they are – we hope that someone sees them and helps bring them home.
This is the new Flyer with the Reward $ for their safe return, no questions asked!
Please everyone, keep looking to bring them home!
Oh – and Always Dreaming & Todd Pletcher, congratulations on the 143 run of the Kentucky Derby! I am hoping that River & Yago will be found safe and returned before the Triple Crown is over.
Last month in March, Kiawah Cares hosted their first Kiawah Cup with the SC State Heritage Horse, the Marsh Tacky. True to their promise, they brought attention to this unique, critically endangered domestic equine. The Marsh Tacky is a versatile horse known for its wood-sense as well as its fame of historically racing on the South Carolina Sea Island beaches. Tammy Mac, organizer of the Kiawah Cup, enthusiastically said that the race was everything she had hoped that it would be. True to their word as promised, Kiawah Cares delivered yet another new audience to the tough little Marsh Tacky. Mac’s favorite part of the races? “Seeing the Tacky enthusiasts so happy and helping to promote awareness of this magnificent breed. We can’t wait to do it again!” Kiawah Cares is anticipating that next years Kiawah Cup is going to be even bigger.
So what will you do about seeing one until then? Caroline Knight created the “Meet a Marsh Tacky Day” event list for April 22,2017 on Facebook. There are at least four events that day members of the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association are planning on attending or hosting. This little horse can do more than race on the beach – trail riding, Calvary mounts, and hunting are just a few of the disciplines these horses excel in. Did you know some Marsh Tacky Horses are seasoned foxhunters? Look for the next post in Marsh Tacky Tales to see other disciplines they are used in. April 22, 2017 is loaded with places to see our South Carolina State Heritage Horse. Please scroll down to Links, Show Bills and Flyers listed below so you can pick out the event best suited for you!
All Breeds Fun Show
Pelzer, SC – 9530 Augusta Road, Pelzer, SC 29669 Registration starts at 8:30, classes start at 10:00 Show Bill Below
Trail Ride
Ward, SC – Wonderful Weekend in Ward Are you looking to go on a trail ride and get a chance to check out some Marsh Tacky Horses under saddle? On April 22 there will be a gathering of Marsh Tacky Horses with their riders taking on the trails. Look for the group of riders wearing Carolina Marsh Tacky Association T-shirts!
PeeDee Horse Festival – Bring your horse or bring just yourself
Its Sheep Shearing Day at Old McCaskills Farm Day – Fun for the whole family!
Rembert, SC – Old McCaskills Farm Day Its Sheep Shearing Day! Come out for a great adventure and get to see Marsh Tacky Horses. Molly, Mariah, Little Miss River, and Yago!
Molly, Mariah, Major, & Little Miss River, Citadel Cadet Calvary – picture credit Jodie Reeves
Sweet Home Alabama, gelding, owned by Leighton Bell and ridden by Wylie Cox Bell took home the Grand Championship Win at the Kiawah Cup, Saturday March 25, 2017. Sweet Home Alabama won the Gelding Heat and Lilly of Blackberry Ridge Farms, owned by MJ Goodwin and ridden by Jennifer Malone won the Mare Heat. According to traditional rules, the final race is between the Heat Winners of each division; Stallion, Gelding and Mares. (No Stallions were raced at the Kiawah Cup, mares and geldings only). This years final race set up like a match race due to having only two divisions.
I took the opportunity to interview Wylie Cox Bell on her win, her racing, and the horses she rode in the both the Mare and Gelding Heats. Bell has ridden in many of the Marsh Tacky Beach Races since they were re-introduced in 2009 by the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association. She loves the racing and the thrill of the speed. Bell rode Sweet Home Alabama in the Gelding Heat and Southern Breeze in the Mare Heat. Southern Breeze was beaten in the Mare Heat by horses Lilly and Cowgirl.
Bell knew that Sweet Home Alabama would be a good contender for the race as he has been to the Beach Races four times already, once winning the Gelding Heat in 2013. Asked if she was confident that he would take home the Beach Race Championship, “NO! Absolutely not.” Bell said. “I’m proud of Bama’s spirit and competitiveness, and it gave me the big win that I’ve wanted for a long time.”
“NOW, I’ll be spending the next months reining in that race mentality so that I have a safe riding horse.” Bell has been through the changing of a steady mount to a flashy racer and back a few times. She lets the horse be a horse and let the racing memory fade before asking for anything. Bell mentioned that some horses do not seem to recover quickly from the changeover. However,”As for those who have Marsh Tackies who can race and go back to being just a pleasurable riding horse, hug and kiss that horse and never let him or her go.”
I asked her about the preparation it takes for the Beach Race,”Preparing for the race, I put about two weeks of good conditioning on them. I also had April Brigman help me breeze them out a couple times. But otherwise, it was a lot of working trots and lengthy canters.” She has had experience with Sweet Home Alabama, Southern Breeze and Sage to name a few of the horses she has ridden on the sand.
Southern Breeze is Wylies personal horse and is often ridden by her 73 year old mother at home; to put her in the beach race was certainly a change of pace for her. “Every horse is different and racing will affect each one of them differently.” Bell described Breeze as being totally out of character, “Breeze is a very fast mare, but she can’t handle the racing mentally. I hate the impression that many got of her at the races, where she was a frazzled mess.” Bell said, “when it comes to the racing, she just gets too anxious about it. But I’m proud of the two races she gave me Saturday, but she is now officially retired from racing. I owe it to her. She’s done it for me 4 times.”
I asked Bell what information new Marsh Tacky horse owners that might like to take a turn at the Beach Races would need to know. “The bigger thing is just knowing, can your horse run straight and with confidence? Will it spook at a jump start or can it jump off that line with confidence? Even if you don’t know the answers to these questions, you can at least give it a shot (if you are a confident rider) and let your horse experience the beach and a crowd and all the fan fare.”
The Carolina Marsh Tacky Association is excited to partner with Kiawah Cares to bring this race to Kiawah Island. All tickets were pre-sold, and sold out! It has been a few years since the CMTA has been able to hold the beach races due to weather and sponsorship issues. When asked about the partnership McFadden explained, “I think that it is good for us to partner with other 501(c)3 non-profits so that we can introduce the Marsh Tacky Horse to a new audience.” Kiawah Cares reaches out to fill the needs of islanders that otherwise would not be met, while the CMTA helps create more fans of this resilient tough little island horse.
Previously races had been held on Daufuskie and Hilton Head Islands. McFadden noted that the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association is a very small non-profit and to put on an event of this magnatude they needed to partner and have sponsorship. Racing on Hilton Island required the changing of ordinances to allow the horses to race on the beach. McFadden and others are hopeful that they will be able to have races on Hilton Head Island in the future.
If you didn’t know by now, Molly reigns Supreme,as far as I am concerned. She is 28 years old and going strong. She will be at the Kiawah Cup this Saturday to meet and great all her fans, autograph “Beach Race Champions” and most importantly cheer on Mariah,her daughter, who will be racing! Molly at 28 is still outrunning the younger Marsh Tacky horses and has been helping Mariah train.
Mariah has been following in Molly’s hoof-prints by first learning to be a calvary mount for the Citadel Cadets (who by the way have a rich history of the Marsh Tacky horse). She is now learning to train the new recruits for the Cadets, but Molly is still the Boss Mare. This will be her first beach race.
I am excited to know that Mariah may very well win the Kiawah Cup.I do hope that the Beach Race Champion will pass from generation to generation. (I did mention I am pulling for Mariah, right?)You can check out my quick article South Carolinas Heritage Horse, the Marsh Tacky on LinkedIn.
Pre-race rundown on Mariah. Mariah is an 8 y.o. mare, foaled April 20,2009. She is the 280th Marsh Tacky to be registered. Mariah will be ridden by a Citadel Cadet.Her dam of course, is Molly, owned by Janson Cox. Molly was a “mystery tacky” as I like to call them. Molly has led a typical life of a Marsh Tacky – she plowed, hunted, pulled a buggy -that is until Janson Cox purchased her. Her DNA was one of the first collected to establish the studbook, by then Molly was also a seasoned Calvary mount. Mariah’s sire, Tacky Blue has no mystery – his daddy is Hacksaw,one of the last stallions DP Lowthers family collected from the sea islands. He is co-owned by Meg Walker and Lynell Sowders and is standing at stud in Lancaster, SC with Karen Reynolds. This makes Mariah one of the very first horses born into the studbook.
uld not possibly cover the entire state of South Carolina. So we reached out to owners who cared about educating our state about its new 
