Banker horses are descendants from domesticated Spanish Mustang horses that were probably brought to America in 16th century by explorers and abandoned on the Outer Banks of North Carolina which is where their name "Banker" was derived. The horses were originally domesticated. However, since they were abandonded and left to fend for themselves, they've become feral.

ORIGINS
Banker horses can be found on Outer Banks barrier islands of North Carolina's coast. They reside on Corolla Island, Currituck Banks, Ocracoke Island, Shackleford Banks, and in the Rachel Carson Estuarine Sanctuary. The horses feed on bulrush, sea oats, poison ivy, and Saltmarsh Cordgrass which supplies much of their fresh water. They will also dig holes up to 4 feet deep to access fresh groundwater. Because of their diet, the horses on the Outer Banks are smaller than domesticated bankers that have been raised on farms.

PHYSICAL FEATURES / PHYSIQUE
The Banker horse is a small, hardy horse ranging from 13 to 14.3 hands in height and weighing from 800 to 1000 pounds. It has a broad forehead, a profile that can be straight or slightly convex, a long mane, a deep narrow chest, a short back, a sloped croup, and a low-set tail. Barker horses have smooth movement and long gaits. Unuasally, they have only five lumbar vertebre rather than six like most other breeds. Common colors are bay, chestnut, dun, bay, buckskin, pinto, black, and brown.

TEMPERAMENT
Banker horses have a docile temperament, and are very willing to learn.

USES / ASSETS
Because they are so docile and calm, Banker horses taken from the wild are sometimes used as mounts for children. They have also been used by several mounted patrols and ridden in parades.

STATUS
There are presently about 400 Banker horses inhabiting the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Overseeing of the horses began in the late 1980s after the islands became overpopulated with horses, causing malnourishment and death to several horses. The National Park Service, the State of North Carolina, and several private organizations now look over the Banker horses to prevent overpopulation, overgrazing, inbreeding, and monitor them for diseases. Their number is controlled with birth control and adoption.