The Mustang Horse Is Free-Roaming By Nature

By Marsha Klein


Any mustang horse information is part of the history of the Wild West that existed hundreds of years ago. Although not indigenous to North America, he symbolizes all that was noble and beautiful in those days.

Spanish settlers brought this fine animal to America and after that their descendants were ridden by Native Americans who adapted them to their own use. Some people refer to them as feral, which is a misnomer as they are descendants of domesticated Spanish equines.

The are officially recognized by Congress as symbols of the old West and the spirit of those pioneer days. Currently, some isolated herds have a pure genetic background traced back to Iberian horses brought here by the Spanish settlers. Other herds have interbred with ranch horses and have that mixed heritage.

All herds are protected by the Bureau of Land Management, a government agency. Some ranchers object to the horses having access to grazing land that they want for the cattle they raise. The horses belong to the public and are therefore, entitled to graze on public land, according to those who oppose the ranchers.

Now they are offered for adoption as a means of dealing with overpopulation. In 1900 there were an estimated two million roaming in herds in parts of North America. The military and the Native Americans rounded them up and trained them for riding. At one time they were slaughtered for pet food.

At one time, they were cruelly herded using planes and helicopters, causing them undue stress and sometimes collapse in the heat of summer. Some were alleged to be poisoned to reduce the herds. Those that now roam on public land are protected under the auspices of the Bureau of Land Management.

Some predators do facilitate natural population control of the herds. They are the mountain lion, the grizzly bear and the wolf. A mountain lion can chase down and kill a moose so the horse is at risk. The human type of predator is no longer allowed to hunt or poison them as they did in the past.

The current method of population control is adoption. They are rounded up in humane ways by using a tame horse, trained to lead them into a corral. They are then offered to those who agree to provide a good home and not sell them for at least one year. About 225,000 have been adopted as of 2010.

One US senator put forth the idea of euthanizing them if they were older than ten and had been turned down for adoption by three people. One horse lover proposes a sanctuary be mandated in the state of Nevada. That is wonderful in theory. However, it may lead to additional overpopulation.

Those who have adopted a wild Mustang report a successful transition to a domestic horse suitable for riding. He has a lively spirit that is appealing. For mustang horse information relating to adoption contact the BLM. Allowing these majestic animals to be mistreated or killed off is a travesty. It would be unpatriotic as well as cruel. They deserve to be revered as a symbol of the old West.




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The Mustang Horse Is Free-Roaming By Nature

By Marsha Klein


Any mustang horse information is part of the history of the Wild West that existed hundreds of years ago. Although not indigenous to North America, he symbolizes all that was noble and beautiful in those days.

Spanish settlers brought this fine animal to America and after that their descendants were ridden by Native Americans who adapted them to their own use. Some people refer to them as feral, which is a misnomer as they are descendants of domesticated Spanish equines.

The are officially recognized by Congress as symbols of the old West and the spirit of those pioneer days. Currently, some isolated herds have a pure genetic background traced back to Iberian horses brought here by the Spanish settlers. Other herds have interbred with ranch horses and have that mixed heritage.

All herds are protected by the Bureau of Land Management, a government agency. Some ranchers object to the horses having access to grazing land that they want for the cattle they raise. The horses belong to the public and are therefore, entitled to graze on public land, according to those who oppose the ranchers.

Now they are offered for adoption as a means of dealing with overpopulation. In 1900 there were an estimated two million roaming in herds in parts of North America. The military and the Native Americans rounded them up and trained them for riding. At one time they were slaughtered for pet food.

At one time, they were cruelly herded using planes and helicopters, causing them undue stress and sometimes collapse in the heat of summer. Some were alleged to be poisoned to reduce the herds. Those that now roam on public land are protected under the auspices of the Bureau of Land Management.

Some predators do facilitate natural population control of the herds. They are the mountain lion, the grizzly bear and the wolf. A mountain lion can chase down and kill a moose so the horse is at risk. The human type of predator is no longer allowed to hunt or poison them as they did in the past.

The current method of population control is adoption. They are rounded up in humane ways by using a tame horse, trained to lead them into a corral. They are then offered to those who agree to provide a good home and not sell them for at least one year. About 225,000 have been adopted as of 2010.

One US senator put forth the idea of euthanizing them if they were older than ten and had been turned down for adoption by three people. One horse lover proposes a sanctuary be mandated in the state of Nevada. That is wonderful in theory. However, it may lead to additional overpopulation.

Those who have adopted a wild Mustang report a successful transition to a domestic horse suitable for riding. He has a lively spirit that is appealing. For mustang horse information relating to adoption contact the BLM. Allowing these majestic animals to be mistreated or killed off is a travesty. It would be unpatriotic as well as cruel. They deserve to be revered as a symbol of the old West.




About the Author: