• Other Names: Fuzztail or wild horse

• The name Mustang is derived from the Spanish word mesteria, meaning wild and untamed

• Essentially a light horse, the Mustang is North America's feral horse descended from Andalusians, Arabs, Barbs and Turks

• Roaming free for over 300 years turned this horse into a very hardy, thrifty, independent animal

• Both Indians and Cowboys favoured the Mustang as it turned out to have good cow sense and made a terrific cattle working companion

• The Mustang was crossed over with larger breeds to create a hardier working horse. It was also crossed with the Thoroughbred. The most notable breed produced as a result of the Mustang influence is the Quarter Horse. However, it was also influential in the development of the Appaloosa, Palomino and Pinto

• At the beginning of the 20th century, Mustang numbers exceeded 2 million

• Wild Mustangs have now drastically declined to less than 30,000

• They are now protected by law - The Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971

• Lightweight in build

• Hard legs and feet

• Low set tail

• An athletic, intelligent horse of outstanding stamina

• All colours - bay, sorrel, black, buckskin, roan, gray, palomino, pinto

• Height 13.2 - 15.2 hands high

• The Mustang is used for stock work, riding and endurance riding