Mustang Horse: Breed Profile

Versatile, hardy, and intelligent, there's a lot to love about the mustang horse. A true American breed, mustangs are actually feral (free-roaming) horses that are found in the western United States. The mustang has a rich history, and can make a phenomenal riding partner with proper training. These are small horses that can be great companions for ranch work and trail riding.

Learn more about the mustang breed, including its history, care needs, and temperament.

Mustang Horse History and Origins

Today, mustangs live wild in the western United States. But don’t confuse mustangs with broncos—a bronco is any horse that bucks; it is not a breed. Mustangs originated from Spanish horses that were brought to the country by European settlers. Some of those horses escaped or were freed, and others were bartered for or captured by Native Americans.

Escaped horses formed herds and lived wild, gradually being pushed west by encroaching development of the country. The resulting wild mustang population grew, but as the country was increasingly settled and ranchers sought out land to graze cattle on, the increased population became a problem. In the early 1900s, there were as many as two million mustangs in the United States. Currently, it’s estimated that nearly 69,000 wild horses are still in existence.

The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 helped to protect mustangs from being hunted, poisoned, and harassed, but it also caused the population to grow again. The Bureau of Land Management has begun rounding up and adopting out mustangs to help manage the population.

Mustang Horse Size

Mustangs are relatively small horses, usually reaching heights of 14 to 15 hands (1 hand = 4 inches) and weighing approximately 800 pounds.

Breeding and Uses

Mustangs breed in the wild and currently face overpopulation issues, so captive breeding programs aren’t in use. These horses are versatile and have found successful careers in trail riding, ranch work, dressage, and more. Mustangs are also fast horses, running at speeds of 35-50 mph, on average.

Colors and Markings

Mustangs come in a wide array of coat colors. Many are bay and chestnut, but black, grey, pinto, roan, and palomino coat colors also occur. And these horses can have stripes, patches, or spots.

Unique Characteristics of the Mustang

The mustang is known for being very hardy and surefooted, thanks to their wild heritage. These qualities make mustangs ideal as working horses and trail horses, since they can navigate terrain that other breeds might struggle with.

Diet and Nutrition

Mustangs are hardy. In the wild, they survive on a diet of grass and brush. As a result, they are relatively easy keepers in captivity. An owner may need to restrict a mustang’s access to lush pasture, since overgrazing can result in obesity and related problems, like founder.

Common Health and Behavior Problems

Mustangs are hardy and are known for having strong, healthy hooves. They tend to be quite healthy.

Behavior in mustangs can vary depending on the horse’s background and level of training. A mustang that has been rounded up and adopted out with little handling will probably be reactive and spooky. Given time to gain trust in humans, mustangs can be calm and well-mannered with proper training.

Grooming

Mustangs don’t have any specific grooming needs. They’ll benefit from regular grooming and currying to promote coat health. While they have strong hooves, regular hoof care is also important to their health.

Pros of Mustangs

• Hardy and surefooted
• Intelligent
• Many horses available for adoption
  

Cons of Mustangs

• Smaller horses aren't ideal for taller riders
• Unhandled horses will require significant training
• Might have strong fight-or-flight response
  

Champion and Celebrity Mustang Horses

Many mustangs have become famous:

• Cobra proved to be talented in dressage after he was adopted in 2010. He earned a Freestyle Western Dressage Level 1 World Championship in 2015 and was named USEF Horse of the Year in Western Dressage.
• Hwin was adopted by eventer Elisa Wallace. Together, they competed in the 2015 Mustang Magic Makeover and Breyer crafted a model horse after Hwin.

Is the Mustang Right for You?

Because mustangs are smaller, they’re often best suited for smaller riders. They’re versatile and suitable for a wide array of disciplines and activities. Mustang temperaments can range from hot and reactive to calm and cooperative, so it’s most important to ensure that the horse you buy is right for your experience and needs.

How to Adopt or Buy a Mustang

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) adopts mustangs every year to help maintain appropriate herd numbers so that the horses can survive on the land, and the minimum fee to adopt a trained horse is $125.

If you want to adopt a mustang, start by reviewing the BLM’s adoption requirements. You’ll need to meet specific requirements about the type of fencing, facility, and even horse trailer that you have to be approved to adopt. Keep in mind that most of these horses have not been handled and will need to be trained in everything from halter breaking to riding.

Mustangs may also be available through private sellers, where some are already trained for riding. Mustangs tend to be a more affordable breed and they’re located all over the country. When buying a horse, it’s always a good idea to have a pre-purchase exam performed to assess any health issues that could affect the horse’s performance.

More Horse Breeds

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Appaloosa
• Morgan
• Paint

Otherwise, you can check out all of our other horse breed profiles.