What Should I Feed My Wild Mustang?

Mustangs are wild horses found roaming the western range-lands of the United States. This legendary breed descended from several sources including horses of Spanish explorers, Native Americans, the U.S. Calvary, miners and ranchers. The Bureau of Land Management conducts frequent Mustang adoptions to control their population. Understanding a Mustang's dietary need is critical to a successful adoptive transition.

  1. Wild Diet

    • Mustangs naturally eat wild grasses and shrubs found on Western range-lands, which means they require a quality hay diet once adopted. These horses have no concept of grains or commercial feeds as they have never been introduced, and feeding these things should be avoided altogether.

    Types of Hay

    • High quality hay is recommended for Mustangs; hay which contains at least 10 percent protein such as legume hay or alfalfa. Timothy, orchard grass, Bermuda, also may be fed, but fescue should be avoided.

    Hay Quality

    • Pre-bloom, or early cut, hay has a higher nutritional value as it contains many immature stems, leaves and seeds, which is a significant nutritional source. Second cut, or late cut hay simply is not as nutritious. Good hay should be green and smell like cut grass. Hay bales that are brown throughout have lost nutrients. Moldy or dusty hay can lead to respiratory conditions, or a potentially deadly condition called colic.

    Salt Block

    • A trace mineral salt block should be available for Mustangs, like all horses, throughout the year. This is especially important during the summer months to prevent valuable mineral loss that takes place as horses sweat.

    Water

    • Mustangs, like all horses, need fresh clean water available at all times. Adult horses can drink as much as 15 to 20 gallons a day. Water must be contained where it is not easily tipped over, and must be kept from freezing during the winter months.