Even though we as humanity fight stubbornly to not leave a piece of land untapped, there are still wild lands, even in a civilization-prone country like the United States. One of the countless animals living in these wild lands is the horses that we domesticated thousands of years ago. The horses that roam freely in the American steppes are called Mustang species, and in fact, they have come to this day by descending from a domesticated species.
Mustang horses, as we all know, also inspired the legendary Ford Mustang. These horses, which are smaller but stronger than normal horses and still roam free in herds in the thousands, are protected by some laws. Some domesticated Mustang horses are used for equestrian or competition. Let’s take a closer look at the interesting facts about Mustang horses, which are an indispensable part of the American wilderness.
Interesting information about Mustang horses:
Wild Mustang horses do not actually come from a wild ancestry:
Today they are an integral part of the United States wilderness. The Mustang horses, which are its descendants, are not actually native to the continent. They are descended from the Spanish and Arabian horses brought after the discovery of the continent. In other words, Mustang horses, which form the continent’s largest wild population today, are actually descendants of domesticated horses brought from Europe. For this reason, they were even treated as invaders for a period of time.
The US government considers Mustang horses in the wild category:
A law enacted in 1971 called the Wild Free-Run and Burro Act recognized Mustang horses as wild and protected them from ranchers. Capturing or killing Mustang horses is a crime under US law. This, of course, has led to an increase in the horse population and damage to agricultural lands. That’s why the Bureau of Land Management regularly collects and tames Mustang horses and gives them to farmers.
Mustang horses vary in colour, height and weight:
Mustang horses are the type of horse with the most variations in the world. A Mustang horse can have a boda of between 132 and 162 cm and a weight of between 317 and 680 kilograms. You can come across Mustangs in every color and pattern you can think of, but they are mostly gray, spotted, tan, and a hue called grula. Because they mate irregularly, all these colors reveal unique variations over time.
They have much stronger hooves than domestic horses:
Wild Mustang horses have developed themselves over time to adapt to all kinds of terrain conditions and have acquired much stronger hooves than domestic horses living in comfortable lands. Thanks to these hooves, they can travel 32 kilometers a day even on the roughest terrain. If they were not protected by law, because of these features, all of them would be quickly caught and used by domestication.
There is fierce competition among male Mustang horses:
Mustang horses, like many herbivorous creatures, live in herds. There are two types of herds among Mustang horses; the first is a herd with a stallion, several mares and foals. The second is the herd of young male horses that cannot stand up to the leader stallion. Of course, the young males defy and fight the leading stallion during the mating season. But they do not fight to the death. The fight continues until one side admits that they have lost and walks away. The winner grabs the mares.
Mustang horses can live much longer than normal:
The average lifespan of a domestic horse is between 25 and 30 years, even under the best conditions. In wild Mustang horses, this period can sometimes be up to 40 years. The biggest reason for this is that horses have to run to their fullest due to their nature. Mustang horses are healthy, while the lifespan of the domestic horse that does not get enough exercise is shortened. However, Mustang horses that feed on natural grasses and bushes can die in 15-20 years when they cannot find the right living conditions. Therefore, their habitats should be protected as well.
Not everyone can own a Mustang:
United States law has strict rules on this. Not everyone can go and catch a Mustang horse to their liking. There are also very strict rules when the horses collected due to population control will be adopted. In the past, anyone who paid $125 could own a Mustang. After 2015, this situation has changed. The owner of a Mustang horse must be over the age of 18, have a large pasture and stable, and have a suitable transport vehicle for the transport of the horse. Even after the Mustang horse is adopted, the state does not let you go and comes back a year later to check the situation. If there is any concern about the health of the horse, it is taken away from the owner.
Mustang horses can survive on much less food than normal:
Even if you own a Mustang horse and give it unlimited feed and water in front of it, the maximum amount it will eat on the most tiring day will be 6 kilos. Mustang horses living in the wild can only survive on 1-2 kilograms of food per day. Moreover, even with such little food, their health does not deteriorate. The biggest reason for this is of course the small size of Mustang horses, but it is obvious that the instinct to survive has a direct effect on this situation.
Mustang horses don’t always run:
Mustang horses are an extremely mixed breed. Some members of the species trot, some run, and some gallop. Each one has a unique running ability, but just because he can run doesn’t necessarily mean he will. Oddly enough, a Mustang horse that runs at its own pace and not at a gallop can sometimes be much faster. This is a skill that has been acquired entirely as a result of the struggle for survival in the wild.
Mustang horses are thought to be extinct:
There are those who want Mustang horses living in the west of the continent to be classified as an endangered species. According to the latest information, there are currently 50,000 wild Mustang horses living in the United States. It may seem like a sufficient number, but it is observed that its population is gradually decreasing. For now, the Mustang horse population is being monitored and response preparations are being made in case there is a higher decline.
We talked about the details you need to know about these beautiful creatures by sharing some interesting information about Mustang horses, a wild horse species that roam freely in the American steppes. We wish the Native Americans did not suffer the fate of Mustang horses. You can share your thoughts in the comments.
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