The horses were used by the colonists during the American Revolution, and by settlers for farm work, herding cattle and hunting throughout the breed's history.

The breed is considered to be critically endangered by both the Livestock Conservancy and the Equus Survival Trust, and there are only around 400 Marsh Tackies in existence today.

In 2007, an association was begun with the objective of preserving and promoting the Marsh Tacky; and in 2010, a closed stud book was created.

[3] Today, the breed comes in a wide variety of colors, including dun, bay, roan, chestnut, black and grullo.

Their small size and gentle nature made them the historically preferred mount for children and women, but they were also used as working animals due to their abilities in the field.

Today, they are used in endurance riding, as well as continuing their traditional work assisting humans with hunting wild game and herding cattle.

However, DNA testing has proved that the Marsh Tackies' relative isolation has made them a separate breed with unique characteristics.

[6] More horses were added to the population that would become the Marsh Tacky through animals that were purchased in the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine in Florida.

[4] After the American Civil War, they were commonly used by members of the Gullah community on the islands off the South Carolina shore for use in fields and gardens.

[9] In 2015, a complete, articulated horse skeleton believed to be a Marsh Tacky was unearthed at an archaeological dig in St. Augustine, Florida.

[12] Representatives of the ALBC state that the breed numbers will have to increase to an estimated 1,000 members to ensure permanent survival.