American Mustang
Intro
The American mustang symbolizes the freedom of the wild west in North America. The word mustang comes from the Spanish word mestena which is roughly translated as a group of wild horses.
Origins
The Mustang is a descendant of Spanish horses introduced in the 16th century by Spanish conquistadores. These imported horses formed wild herds after the Spanish conquests, and continued to reproduce with local animals. Their bloodlines carry Barb, Jennet and Andalusian influence.
The American Mustang Association (AMA) was formed in 1962 in San Diego, CA to preserve and document the pedigrees of American Mustang horses.
Horses are registered to meet morphological standards and measurements in the hopes of preserving the characteristics of the original Spanish animals.
The specific physical attributes of registered animals are distinct and the animals cannot be registered under another breeds registry.
Features
Average height 13.2 – 15 hands
Being descendant from the Barb means that a true mustang should have 17 ribs and 5 lumbar vertebrae.
Symmetrical, smooth muscled and well proportioned
Physique
Head is refined with a tapering muzzle & carried high and proud
Neck is crested and high set
Shoulder is long and sloping
Back is short and hindquarters are muscular
Deep girth
Low set tail
Legs straight and sound without coarseness
Hooves are wide at the base and dense
Traditional Colors:
Can be any color due to bloodline dilution, although more traditional Spanish horse coloring is valued.
roan | dun | buckskin
Temperament
The mustang is a wild animal
Stubborn tendencies
Highly spirited
Full of vigor
Use
General riding
Cow horse
Trail horse
Carriage horse
Helpful Links
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American Mustang and Burrow Association
Got Pets Online
Where to Buy
Mustangs 4 Us
California Heartland Mustang Auction
Adopt and American Mustang
Wild Horse Rescue
Mustang Studs
Sulphur Horse Ranch
Rockin Bar H
Wild Side Ranch
Amani Equus
Canyon Creek Kigers
All Stallions Directory
Mustang Art
Mustang Books and Reading
Wild Hoofbeats: America’s Vanishing Wild Horses
Mustang: The Saga of Wild Horses in the American West
The American Mustang Guidebook
Spanish Mustangs in the Great American West: Return of the Horse
