Here's why:
* Limited Breeding: The Spanish Jennet was primarily bred for specific purposes, like riding and carrying loads. With the changing needs of transportation and equestrianism, their breeding declined significantly.
* Lack of Recognition: There's no official breed registry or recognized breed standard for the Spanish Jennet, making it harder to track their numbers and maintain a consistent bloodline.
* Mislabeling: Some horses that are visually similar to Spanish Jennets may be mislabeled as such, contributing to confusion about their true numbers.
While they're considered critically endangered, there are still a small number of Spanish Jennet horses alive today, primarily in private hands. Some efforts are being made to revive the breed and increase their numbers.
However, it's important to note that:
* The lack of a formal registry and breed standard makes it difficult to confirm the authenticity of any horse claiming to be a Spanish Jennet.
* The true numbers of these horses are unknown, and they are likely to remain rare for the foreseeable future.