Who are we?
Our namesake, the Carolina Marsh Tacky is a special breed of horse that is uniquely and impressively rooted in the history of our country and state. The Siouan Native Americans saw these horses’ ancestors settle what is now known as the South Carolina Lowcountry as Europeans came to the new world. The small horses fit into the ships of the Spanish explorers in the 1500’s and 1600’s and proved particularly fit for navigating our coastal lowlands and beaches. By the time of the American Revolution, Francis Marion, the legendary “Swamp Fox,” is said to have used the Marsh Tacky horses found along the coast to outmaneuver the British in the Santee Swamp just up river. This may have given rise to the British naming of the breed, “tacky,” which meant “common” or “cheap,” which were names they often applied to our patriots, for sure. After independence was won, the Carolina Marsh Tacky was a fixture in the coastal South Carolina economy as larger breeds were useless in the flooded rice fields and canals. The Marsh Tacky were even used for beach patrols during World War II as we faced a very real threat of Nazi attack. Although pejoratively named “common” in the past, the Carolina Marsh Tacky is all but common today. Less than 300 animals of the breed remain, and most can be found in South Carolina.
Our company was started with appreciation for our past and the understanding that lessons learned in the past can often give us the best solutions for the future. Just as the Marsh Tacky was once seen as common, carbon is one of the most common elements on Earth. Like the Marsh Tacky’s applications in unique situations that made it so valuable, it’s the unique applications of carbon fiber in the outdoor pursuits we enjoy that make it so valuable now. As the Marsh Tacky’s smaller size and lighter weight formed the foundation for a unique and impressive history, we feel that our applications of carbon fiber here will do the same.
Thank you for visiting our site and learning about our history and what we love. If you’d like to learn more about the Carolina Marsh Tacky, you can visit the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association’s web page HERE.
