- Mustang -

   "Mustang" is the name that was given to the feral horses of America that first appeared during the 16th century. They are descended from the Spanish horses, which were brought to America by the conquistadors. At that time, a quantity of the horses escaped, or were released, into the wild and joined together, creating herds of feral horses. The name "Mustang" is derived from the word mesteth, which means "band or herd of horses".

Throughout the centuries, horses of various breeds and types have either been released, or escaped, into the wild and they naturally formed herds together. There is evidence of a heavier type that probably developed from early artillery and coach horses that escaped during battle, and it is though that these may have derived from the East Friesian Horse, known to have been popular with the military. At one time they existed in huge numbers,. to the point that they were damaging grazing land for domestic animals. There ensued a haphazard system of hunting, with the Mustang being killed and used for pet food, or for human consumption. The widespread and indiscriminate killing led to a great reduction in their numbers and it was not until 1971 that any regulations were actually laid down regarding the culling.

The Mustangs now enjoy federal protect, and their welfare is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. in 1973, a controversial "Adopt a Horse" program was begun, which is thought by many to have helped manage the numbers of the Mustang. It is considered that the general standard of the Mustang is improving through the B.L.M.'s management, by weeding out the poorer stallions and allowing the better specimens to remain. There is a wide diversity of physical characteristics of the original Spanish horses.

As a guide, Mustangs will often have a Spanish type head with a Roman nose; they are usually short through the neck, somewhat upright in the shoulder, flat through the withers, have a short back and poorly conformed but very tough legs. As with any feral animal, their temperament is rebellious and intractable, although with experienced handling, many Mustangs are tamed to become good riding horses. Their height ranges from 14 hh and 15 hh, and they an be any color.

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