How to Select a Mustang

The American mustang is descended from the North African barb. The breed was taken to Spain in the eighth century and crossed with an Iberian stock of horse to create a sure-footed, quick and sturdy horse that would carry Spanish conquistadors across America centuries later.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Understand that the American mustang is a descendant of U.S. Calvary mounts and ranch horses. The North American Mustang Registry was established in 1986 to keep track of these mustangs.

2. Know that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has placed more than 13,000 wild horses and burros in private care since 1973.

3. Identify a mustang as a very compact horse that is known for having strong legs and sturdy feet, which usually do not require shoeing. Mustangs are well-proportioned and have smooth-muscled builds with sloping shoulders, crested necks, deep barrels, strong hindquarters, rounded croups and a low-set tail.

4. Excel in endurance rides as the mustang has excellent stamina, overall soundness and a strong conformation.

5. Realize that the mustang's agility makes it an ideal horse for ranch work or working cattle.

6. Know that mustangs are hearty horses that are psychologically and physically very healthy with no vices (such as cribbing or weaving). They are curious, playful and kind.

7. Enjoy the many colors that mustangs come in.

8. Purchase a mustang from the BLM's Adopt a Mustang program for just $125.

9. Measure the mustang at 13.2 to 16.2 hands with an average mustang being 14.3 hands and weighing 700 to 1,000 pounds.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the following organizations for more information on mustangs: the Bureau of Land Management at [phone] for information on adopting a mustang or burro; American Mustang and Burro Association at P.O. Box 788, Lincoln, CA 95648, [phone]; American Mustang Association at P.O. Box 338, Yucaipa, CA 92399, [phone]; International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros, Wild Horses of America Registry at P.O. Box 14194, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-4194, [phone].
• Wild mustangs are wild. If you purchase a wild horse, make sure you and the horse get training.
• If you adopt a horse from the BLM, you will be required to provide proof that you have an adequate place (with no barbed wire) to keep the horse. You must also have access to a step-down trailer (wild horses will not load in a ramp-type trailer). Contact the BLM for more requirements.

[Jinxedlace]

on 5/4/2007 Mustang are the best horses I have ever worked with. But, they can be very tempermental. If your mustang doesn't trust you, it's like your horse is in season every day!imagine that!

on 11/22/2005 I found the best way to train a Mustang is to form a bond with it. From the time you get the horse, let the horse know your routine. Always talk to the horse. Curiosity gets the better of them. Once you are not perceived as a threat, the Mustang will make the effort to come to you. Time, patience, and love. Always. Once the horse bonds to you, begin working on touching and handling. Without bonding, there can be no training. Bonding is the base of the foundation in training.