The American Mustang owes their genetics to the tough animals brought by boat to the Americas for Spanish explorers. Arabian horses are famed the world over for their hardy nature and lovely distinct features. They might be perfect for each other and the Abstang aims to prove it.
A Little Backstory
It is highly unlikely that these bloodlines haven’t met before, just not in an official capacity in North America. Many mustangs carry Barb blood in addition to Iberian genetics, some strains displaying more obvious Barb traits. Barb and Arabian genetics have probably been mingled for centuries and can be successful, as in the case of Arabian-Berbers. However in our breed research, we don’t see a large number of crosses between these two grandfather types. Perhaps crossing them dilutes desired traits from both breeds.
Arabian
Mustang
While the direct crosses might not be so popular, crossing descendants of Barb strains with Arabian seems to provide decent results. The modern Abstang was developed as an experiment by a breeder in Utah, likely as an attempt to refine mustang animals.
What Makes Them Special
The obvious benefits of both breeds make it hard to deny how useful the cross is in theory. In reality, they are said to make exceptional trail horses, with a high level of stamina and endurance combined with a stubborn, loyal temperament. The Abstang is a relatively new breed and still a small registry, so their contributions to the horse world still have plenty of time to make themselves known. To learn more about the breed, be sure to visit the Abstang breed page.
Quick Facts
Native to the United States.
Not listed in the DAD-IS, their numbers are unknown.