Riding horses are essential for the equestrians, and to understand which one is perfect for you is of great importance. In the previous article, I’ve discussed several types of them. But today I want to share some facts about the one that I’ve not mentioned in the previous article. We know these horses as the Mustang horse. Let’s look into their overall background details and their usage to know them better.
Genesis Of The Mustang Horse
Often referred to as the wild horses, Mustang horses are not entirely wild. Previously they were Colonial Spanish horses. But the modern Mustangs are the phenotypes of the Colonial Spanish horses and other breeds of domestic horses. The Colonial Spanish horses were the feral horses that had the genes of once domesticated horses. Thus modern mustangs also have domestic characteristics, which make them popular as Feral Horses.
Characteristics Of A Mustang Horse
Mustangs are the free-roaming horses and descended from once domesticated stock. They are also one of the light horse breeds that are widely used for riding purposes. The maximum height of a Mustang horse can be 16 hands. Though they are known as light horse breeds, the existence of draft type horses and Thoroughbred horses cannot be denied.
Mustangs are trustworthy for climbing mountains or hiking as they are surefooted and have high endurance levels. They weigh a maximum of 900 pounds. A Mustang can live up to 40 years. They can cover 54 miles in an hour. The recent statistics claim that there are near about 50,000 free-roaming Mustangs in the Western United States. You can find them in different colors like black, chestnut, brown, and gray. They also have various patches and patterns on their coat. The strong and sturdy legs and hooves make them tolerant for running through rough and rocky terrains.
Uses Of Mustang Horse
Mustang is a sensible horse. That’s why they can have strong bonds with their masters. They are aware of their surroundings and the intentions of other animals around them. Mustangs are easy keepers. They can survive on a low amount of grass or brush. The even temperament and learning ability of the mustang horses make them easy to train for pleasure riding or endurance riding purposes. They are agile and fast-paced, which makes them perfect for show rings and race tracks.
In the past, cowboys used to catch Mustangs to tame and saddle them. Their free-roaming nature conveys the fact that they love to be ownerless and free. Nowadays, people use to train them to use for equestrianism, dressage, race, ranch, trails, and cart pulling.
Social Traits Of Mustangs
These horses live in herds, where a single stallion leads it. It’s a fact that the stallion and young males use to fight each other to prove their power and dominance on the herd. The stronger one tends to survive in the herd, and the weaker one leaves the group. Male horses in the herds often suffer from injuries due to wrestling.
As you can see, mustangs are free-spirited animals and love to stay away from human gatherings, it will be a wise decision not to select them as your companion to let them enjoy their masterless life for their long existence. Otherwise, they are perfect companions for the toughest trails and roughest roads on the earth.
