Visit Nancy and Mike's website at Mustangs 4US where you will find tons of information on Mustangs, Burros, Mules and the BLM adoption program. You can also purchase videos and books as well as information on how to adopt a Mustang through the BLM programs or from private sources.
What Makes the Mustang So Great?
The first Mustangs descended from Iberian horses brought
to Caribbean, Mexico and Florida. Most of these horses were of Andalusian Arabian and Barb ancestry.
Some of these horses escaped or were captured by Native Americans, and
rapidly spread throughout western North America. The Mustang is not a true wild horse, but are feral horses that because of their isolation, have evolve into discernible 'breeds'. The Sulphur Springs Mustang is a good example of this evolution. There is also the Kiger, Pryor Mountain and the Spanish Mustangs which has its own registry and is not considered a feral horse. Not all Kiger or Spanish Mustang are feral many of them have been bred in captivity and have their own registry. Because of the rugged traits of the Mustang they are very desirable saddle horse for pleasure riding, ranch work or the show arena.
The Mustangs with Spanish genes have many common traits between breed, like very
hard feet, short backs, dorsal strips and stand about 14 to 14.3 hands with enormous
endurance and they are very intelligent.
Most breeds of horses that are from the Spanish or Iberian breeds also have these same traits. The Peruvian Paso, Paso Fino shares many of the same genetic makeup as the Mustang. Because of survival of the fittest, mustangs tend to be easy keepers with good strong legs and feet.
Not all Mustangs are of Spanish decent, as you can imagine many different groups of horses became feral over the centuries due to economic circumstances while the Appaloosa type Mustang was developed by the Nez Perce Indians from captured horses that the Conquistadors had turned loose. These types of Mustangs will range in height from small pony to 16 hands and may not have a dorsal strip of leg markings but will look very much like a Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Paint and Pinto horses.
Part of NVHA Mustang Days is the adoption of the Burros, those long eared, sturdy little animals. Burros may not be suitable for riding, but they are great pack animals, companion and guard animals. They will sound off with the famous hee-haw when there are 'intruders' about. Burros also make great companions for a lone horse in a pasture. They will buddy up and Burros are also real easy keepers!
