The Baca Chica (also 'Baca Colonial Spanish Horse' and 'Baca Barb') is a threatened strain of the Spanish Mustang, which originated in New Mexico. It is named after the Baca family, most notably Joty Baca, who preserved this strain.

The historic treasure from Baca Farm:
The Baca Farm was established in New Mexico in the 19th century. A century later, a family member called Doroteo "Joty" Baca realized that the Baca horses were pure descendants of the Spanish horses who were brought to the Americas during the Spanish colonization, and decided to dedicate his life to the preservation of the Baca strain.

Together with his wife Virginia, Joty carefully bred the Baca horses to maintain their purity and qualities, and acted to increase public awareness of this strain. Thanks to his efforts, the Baca strain was officially recognized by relevant authorities.

In 2013, Joty passed away, but the efforts to preserve the Baca Chica continue to this very day.

Surprising origins:
Originally, it was believed that the Baca Chica descends from Iberian horses. However, genetic tests done in three different universities, showed that Baca horses are actually more closely related to African Barbs (a breed originated in North Africa) than Iberian horses.

African Barb horses gained popularity in the Iberian region during the Muslim rule of the Iberian Peninsula. Many Barb horses were then crossed with Andalusian, to give rise to the Spanish Barb. It was believed that Baca Chica horses descended from Spanish Barb horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish.

The new findings suggest that this is not the case, and that Baca Chica horses descend either from African Barbs, or Spanish horses who were mostly African Barbs in breeding, brought to the Americas by the Spanish.

(For more info about the North-African Barb, please see 'Barb'.)

The Baca Chica today:
Baca Chica horses are known for their intelligence and endurance, two qualities for which they were specifically bred. They are versatile horses that can perform in both English, Western and endurance disciplines in recreational levels. They also make excellent mounts for children, and are used for therapeutic riding.

Conformation:
Baca Chicas are small horses with a light build and light movement. The head is light and has a straight or slightly-convex profile, crescent nostrils, and narrow ears that can be curved inwards. The throatlatch is clear, the neck is of medium length, the back is short, and the croup is sloped. The underline of the barrel is long and has a clear curvature upwards.

The legs are slim, but their bones are strong and their hooves are hard. Compared to other Spanish Mustangs, Baca Chica horses are leggier, though they are not always taller.

The mane is short or medium in length. The tail is always thin but it can grow long. The legs show light feathering.

Special traits:
Baca Chica horses have some additional traits that are rare in the real horse world, and are not found in Horse Isle.

Their eyes are positioned relatively low on their heads, and have have heavy boning above them. Their back sometimes has only five lumbar vertebrae compared to the normal six seen in most other breeds. Last, their hind hooves are naturally toed-out.

Performance metrics:
The following are the: range, average, (SD), and MOE of performance metrics of ordered Baca Chica horses in Horse Isle (not bred ones). In rare cases, horses might have metrics outside of the range. Breeders can produce horses that are beyond this range.

Speed: 14.4-15.6, 15.0 (0.3), 0.05.
Sprint: 37-47, 41 (2), 0.47.

Accel: 0.74-0.94, 0.84 (0.04), 0.01.
Decel: 0.75-0.88, 0.81 (0.03), 0.01.

Jump: 4.96-5.17, 5.06 (0.04), 0.01.
Pull: 1.32-1.85, 1.57 (0.11), 0.02.

Turning: 38.82-52.11, 44.96 (3.1), 0.61.
Reverse: 2.1-2.8, 2.5 (0.1), 0.03.

Stamina: 42.49-47.19, 45.29 (0.97), 0.19.
Reaction: 0.65-0.75, 0.70 (0.03), 0.01.

Coats & Height:
Colors: bay (including dark-bay, termed 'brown' in Horse Isle), black, chestnut, and grey.

Additionals: flaxen, rabicano, roan, sooty. The coat is either solid or 'appaloosa'.

Height: 13.3hh to 15hh.
* most real Baca Chica horses stand between 14.1hh to 14.3hh.