Wild Horses and Mustangs—What’s the Difference?
Horses, majestic creatures of unparalleled grace and strength, have been cherished companions to humanity for millennia. With their flowing manes and noble presence, they embody the spirit of freedom and the untamed beauty of the natural world. These remarkable animals have carried us through history, forging deep connections and inspiring boundless admiration. In their every stride, they remind us of the infinite possibilities that unfold when we embrace the spirit of the horse, forging ahead with unwavering determination and unbridled joy.
There are hundreds of different breeds and types of horses worldwide, each with its own unique characteristics, appearance, and abilities. These breeds are often categorized into various groups based on their primary use, such as riding, racing, driving, or draft work.
What Are Mustangs?
A mustang is not a distinct horse breed but rather a type of horse that has a unique historical and geographical context.
Mustangs come in various colors and sizes, and they exhibit a wide range of physical traits. They are not considered a specific breed because they do not have a standardized set of characteristics or pedigree like many recognized horse breeds. Instead, they are a population of feral horses with diverse genetic backgrounds.
A group of mustangs
What’s the Difference Between a Wild Horse and Mustang?
While all mustangs are wild horses, not all wild horses are mustangs. The term "mustang" specifically refers to the wild horses of North America with Spanish ancestry.
A "wild horse" is a general term used to describe any horse that is not domesticated and lives freely in the wild. These horses are not controlled or managed by humans and often inhabit various regions around the world.
A "mustang" is a specific type of wild horse found in North America, particularly in the western United States. Mustangs are descendants of domesticated horses brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Over time, some of these horses escaped or were released into the wild, where they adapted to their new environment and formed self-sustaining populations.
Wild Horses Rescued by Broken Arrow Ranch and Sanctuary in Bend/Prineville, OR
BARS was fortunate to rescue five wild horses from Oklahoma. BARS welcomed Thunder, Summer, Pearl, baby Calibri and Autumn in June 2023. A kind lady adopted them from the Bureau of Land Management in Burns in 2019 and they ended up in Oklahoma. She could no longer care for them and they needed a forever home. Thank you to Skydog Sanctuary for helping with the transport! We are a new non-profit rescue and when large established rescues step up and help with new rescues, their generosity is always appreciated and never goes unnoticed! We could never have done this without Skydog Sanctuary.
All five wild horses have settled in beautifully and have been put on a healthy eating plan. Mama Pearl has already gained weight and her ribs aren’t showing anymore! Calibri is a 3-month-old Palomino Filly that has added some weight also and always wants lots of hugs. Summer, Thunder and Autumn are learning to trust but just are not there yet, and that’s ok.
We look forward to caring for this “Wild 5” and seeing them thrive in their new environment!
Sources:
Americanmustang.com
livescience.com
openai.com