The Spanish Mustang - Horse of the Past

The Pryor Mountain wild horses are considered anStudies have been done to determine genetic traits
endangered and rare breed. Their history has ledand what type of horse the herd was most genetically
scientists to believe the original herd descended fromrelated to, and no similarities could be found relating the
Spanish horses and may have been brought over bymustangs to either the draft breeds or the
Columbus. Settlers brought these horses to thethoroughbreds. As opposed to many domesticated
Atlantic coastal areas and western territories settinghorses, the mustangs can also bond very closely with
up breeding colonies. Most of these sturdy animalstheir owner and become very attached to their human
were then used for farming, endurance duties andcompanions. Their sizes normally range from 13.2 to 15
transportation in a yet untamed world. In the Greathands, with short backs, rounded rumps and extremely
Pueblo Revolt of 1680, Indians raided these farms, stolebruise resistant hooves. They can be found in most
horses and traded them. With a lot of chaos createdcolors, and surprisingly some mustangs are even
by the constant battles, many of these horsesgaited.
escaped and became feral as they ran wild in nature.In order to preserve the integrity of the breed, right
They were able to thrive on forage that other breedsabout the time the Spanish Mustang was on the eve
could not exist on, and their speed and agility set themof extinction in the mid 1950's, Robert Brislawn of
apart as a breed to be revered. Through survival ofOshoto, Wyoming founded the Spanish Mustang
the fittest for generations, the Spanish MustangRegistry. Twenty horses were originally registered with
essentially culled their own herds, resulting in thethe ultimate goal to preserve and perpetuate the last
healthiest, sturdiest and most intelligent. They showedremnants of the Spanish Mustangs. There can be no
their ability to survive and multiplied where other breedsattempts to crossbreed or change these horses so
had perished. Considered to be extremely tough withthat these creatures will not lose their true
incredible stamina,the herd evolved in nature as theircharacteristics. Today there are more than 3100
heads grew larger, their eyesight became more acuteregistered Spanish Mustangs, maintaining a legacy that
and their sharp minds grew as they focused onendures even in these modern times.
survival.