{"id":53,"date":"2010-08-08T22:06:15","date_gmt":"2010-08-08T22:06:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=53"},"modified":"2025-02-20T19:06:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T19:06:01","slug":"american-mustang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/american-mustang","title":{"rendered":"American Mustang Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

The American mustang is said to symbolize the freedom of the wild west of the Americas. The word mustang comes from the Spanish word, mestena<\/em> which is roughly translated as a group of wild horses.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

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<\/a>, Jennet<\/a> and Andalusian<\/a> influence.<\/p>\n

Keeping Track<\/h3>\n

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 bloodlines. The specific physical attributes of registered animals are distinct and the animals cannot be registered under another breed registry.<\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height 13.2 – 15 hands
\nAs Barb descendants, a true mustang should have 17 ribs & 5 lumbar vertebrae.
\nSymmetrical, smooth muscled and well proportioned<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Head is refined with a tapering muzzle, carried high and proud
\nNeck is crested and high set
\nShoulder is long and sloping
\nBack is short and hindquarters are muscular
\nDeep girth
\nLow set tail
\nLegs straight and sound without coarseness
\nHooves are wide at the base and dense<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

Can be any color<\/a> due to bloodline dilution, although more traditional Spanish horse coloring is valued including roan<\/a>, dun<\/a> and buckskin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

The mustang is a wild animal
\nStubborn tendencies
\nHighly spirited
\nFull of vigor<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

General riding
\nCow horse
\nTrail horse
\nCarriage horse<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

* All links open in a new window<\/small>
\nAmerican Mustang & Burrow Association<\/a>
\nNorth American Mustang Association & Registry<\/a>
\nAmerican Wild Horse Conservation<\/a><\/p>\n

Where to Buy<\/h3>\n

BLM<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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Video<\/h3>\n