Mustang Horse Breed

The Mustang, America's wild horse, can amaze and inspire even the non-horse lovers when seen galloping across the plains of unbridled America. Mesteno, in Spanish translating to a word for stray animal is where the word Mustang originated, much like the beginning of Mustangs in America. Spanish conquistadors were the first Europeans to import horses to America and they were the first “modern” horses on North and South American soil. Since horses were completely new to the native people (along with Spaniards and their arsenal), a person sitting atop an unknown animal easily bewildered and intimidated them, turning the horse into a mythical-like icon with special powers instantaneously.

Spanish-bred horses were usually of medium size, had great endurance and were often gaited. Being a nearby neighbor, many Spanish horses were crossed with Barb horses from Northern Africa but purebred Andalusians also made their way overseas as well as Spanish Jennets, Garranos, Sorraias, Asturians, and Galicans. While Andalusian horses are slightly taller and muscular and used in battle with heavy armor, Jennets, Garranos, Sorraias, Asturians and Galicans were smaller, hardier horses, perfect for the early Spanish explorers and missionaries. They packed and hacked through the wilderness of the Americas and are also responsible for the Peruvian Paso, Paso Fino and other breeds. Eventually as Spaniards made their way into Mexico's inland and settled throughout Mexico and the southern United States, their horses became detached and free roaming, or purposely let loose or left behind, creating herds of unclaimed horses of various bloodlines and body types.

Wild Mustangs now live on limited, restricted land in various parts of the United States. This land challenges and accepts only the toughest of horses to survive on it, resulting in generally smaller, more compact horses than the estimated 2 million Mustangs that roamed the wild west until the beginning of the 20th century. Fine bred cavalry horses, draft horses, and light riding horses of early pioneers also make up the ancestors of today's horses but due to harsh living conditions, most Mustangs don't top over 16 hands, being an average 14 hands tall and weigh anything from 700 to 900 pounds. Mustangs have a sturdy frame, strong legs, short backs, often wide heads and can be found in any coat color of horse under the sun.