Known for their high intelligence, the Mustang can be an extremely loyal companion, able to compete and perform in many different equine disciplines.

The modern Mustang herds originated from horses that were imported from Spain, in the 16th century. Their very name, Mustang, is thought to originate from a Spanish word, mesteno - from mesta, meaning an association of graziers or stock raisers.
Brought to the western United States to work on newly formed cattle ranches by the Spaniards, a few Mustang's escaped and quickly reverted to their predomesticated ways, living in the wild. Stallion dominated groups of mares were soon roaming the western U.S., and by the beginning of the twentieth century, approximately 1 million wild horses lived in the west. This number decreased by 1970, due to commercialization of the land -- today, the wild Mustang is protected by the 1971 act of protection.

Interesting to note, initially, Indians were inclined to kill and eat any horses they captured from the settlers. However, in time, they began to realize the value of the horse as a means of transport. By the second half of the seventeenth century, some tribes were taking horses from the Spaniards and using them in mounted raids against the newcomers.

Mustangs are very agile, intelligent, hardy and fast. They have exceptionally broad and strong bodies; they have very hard and enduring legs. Because of the tough wilderness life these horses lead -- foraging on whatever is available in the wilderness to eat -- they have developed strong sturdy hooves which never need shoeing.

Any color is acceptable in the Mustang. Because of its mixed ancestry (the original Spanish stock was progressively diluted as a wide variety of settlers' horses escaped and joined the wild herds, and interbred with the wild horses), there is a good deal of variation. The ideal Mustang is one that is sturdily built with strong, clean limbs and feet.

Information on this breed came from "The Ultimate Book of the Horse and Rider," by Judith Draper, Debby Sly and Sarah Muir; pages 138-139. Photo came from Wild Horses & Burros.