A Romp Through the History of Florida's Cracker Horses and Cattle

The first horses and cattle to set foot on the North American continent stepped onto Florida land, brought by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon in 1521 just south of present day Fort Myers. The animals were abandoned, formed wild herds and would be used for food, work, trade and transportation for the next 500 years. Cattle ranching was born when Jesuit and Franciscan Friar missionaries set up a system of missions across Florida. The largest ranch, Rancho de la Chua, is now Paynes Prairie.