Breed Information for the Kiger Mustang

The Kiger mustang is a breed that stands out in a crowd due to their unusual colors and striped markings. They have performed in pleasure, trail, performance, endurance, driving, packing, and cutting with much success. Their history extends back to the Spanish mustang; however, complete details of their origin are not known. Registration of the Kiger mustang is regulated by the Kiger Mesteno Association.

  1. History

    • The Kiger's history is unknown until after 1971, when they were discovered during a roundup in Oregon's Steens Mountains. They were recognized within a larger herd of wild mustangs due to their similar color and conformation, along with their resemblance to the Spanish Mustang. Ron Harding, a wild horse specialist, arranged for their separation from the other wild horses after an examination of a herd gathered from Beatty's Butte, Oregon. For preservation reasons, the 20 Kiger mustangs were then separated into two herds and released in the Kiger and the Riddle Herd Management Areas. The foundation stallion "Mesteno" was released in the Kiger area by the Bureau of Land Management.

    Characteristics

    • The Kiger mustangs are known for their distinctive striped markings, exquisite coloring, dense bones and compact hooves. They are agile, intelligent, and bold, and are known for their athletic ability, stamina, endurance, and sure footedness. Those traits are combined with gentleness, calm temperaments, and trainability.

    Body Standards

    • According to the Kiger Mesteno Association Breed Standard, the Kiger's conformation should include a compact body, a deep chest, a short back, a medium-sized head, finely pointed ears, prominent eyes, dense bones, well-developed joints and tendons, and a fine coat. Its height averages between 13.2 hands (54 inches) to 15.2 hands (60 inches) from ground to withers.

    Color

    • Kiger Mestenos carry the dominant genes that code for the primitive dun factor coloration and markings. Dun factor horses are most commonly identified as duns and "grulla" (grayish tan or "mouse" colored). Kigers have variations of the dun color factor, which include dun, red dun, grulla, bay, black, clay bank, and roan. Dun factor markings include dorsal stripes, shoulder stripes, zebra stripes on the legs, arm bars, bi-colored manes and tails, ears with dark outlines and fawn-colored interiors, facial masks, and distinctive line markings.

    Associations

    • In 1988, the Kiger Mesteno Association was founded to help preserve and protect the breed. Genetic testing that was performed at the University of Kentucky revealed Spanish markings in the Kiger horse's bloodline, which prompted the establishment of the Kiger as a distinct, registered breed. In order for a horse to be registered as a Kiger, the horse must have been rounded up at either the Kiger or the Riddle Horse Management Areas or have parents that are traced directly back to those areas.