American Indian Horse

Image from Northern Dream Spanish Mustang

Intro

Also known as cow pony, buffalo horse, mustang, Indian pony, cayuse and Spanish pony, these horses are descendants of the animals the Spanish conquistadors brought to the Americas that were adopted by the indigenous people.

Image from sylvester75117

Origins

The American Indian Horse Registry (AIHR) was established in 1961 to preserve and document the pedigrees of Native American horses in the hopes of preserving the bloodlines.

The AIHR acknowledges 5 classifications of American Indian Horse

Class O
Not bred to conform to standards, but to preserve original bloodlines
Any horse registered since 1979 has direct bloodline connections to one of various tribes
Can be registered with Spanish Mustang Registry & Southwest Spanish Mustang Association

Class AA
Must have at least one Class O parent
Some BLM horses qualify for this classification

Class A
Have unknown pedigrees
BLM horses qualify under this classification

Class M
Include modern bloodlines
One parent may be registered under another breed registry

Class P
For ponies of indian horse type
Galiceno, POA, Welsh and Shetland blood may be in their pedigrees
Also includes ponies of unknown ancestry

Features

Average height 13 – 15 hands

Physique

Because the bloodlines are diluted and breeding for bloodlines is more important than confirmation this breed will vary physically.

Traditional Colors

All colors

Temperament

Temperament varies depending upon bloodlines.

American Indian Horse

Image from spinnerin

Use

Cow horses
Riding horses
Show horses
Agriculture animals

Helpful Links

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American Indian Horse Registry