Mustang Horse Facts

Mustang horses originate in North America. Native Americans used mustang horses for many purposes including labor, hunting, fighting and transportation. Today, horse enthusiasts often use mustangs in horse shows, rodeos and races.

  1. Origin

    • Mustang horses in North America are the descendants of the Barb and Arabian horses that 16th century Spanish explorers brought with them to the continent.

    Appearance

    • Mustang horses come in a wide variety of colors including brown, bay, black and gray. Although mustang horses vary in size, they typically measure between 13 and 15 hands high.

    Temperment

    • Mustang horses are gentle and intelligent animals. However, the strong, high-spirited nature of these horses can sometimes be uncertain and unpredictable.

    Build

    • On average, mustang horses weigh between 700 and 800 lbs. They are hardy animals with strong legs, heavy bones, hard feet and superb stamina.

    Wild Mustangs

    • Wild mustangs still roam the deserts and plains of North America today. Agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service work to manage and protect these wild herds.