Horse
Breed Description:
The Spanish Mustang breed of horse is descended from the original Iberian horse stock brought from Spain to the Americas. Today, the term encompasses many strains or breeds now found primarily in North America, and it goes by a number of other names, including the Colonial Spanish horse. The term Colonial Spanish is preferred by some researchers, who maintain that the word "mustang" incorrectly implies that all of the horses either are or were historically free-ranging rather than domesticated. The Spanish Mustang breed of horse is generally deep bodied but narrow from the front. Thus its front legs and chest form the shape of an "A" rather than the "U" that is typically seen in the stock horse breeds. Spanish Mustang horses tend to have broad foreheads and narrow faces, and the profiles may be either straight or convex. Nearly all colors of horses occur in the Spanish Mustang breed of horse. Solid colors include black, grullo, bay, dun, buckskin, chestnut, red dun, palomino, cream, gray, and roan. Color patterns include appaloosa, tobiano, overo, Medicine Hat, War Bonnet, calico, sabino, frame, and splash paint. The Spanish Mustang breed of horse is tough and athletic, making it well-suited for ranch work, as well as endurance, trail, and pleasure riding. Its unusually long stride makes for a smooth ride.
Temperament:
The Spanish Mustang breed of horse has an even temperament and docile disposition. They are capable of forming a strong bond with their owner.
Height:
The Spanish Mustang breed of horse stands 13.2 to 14.2 hands high.
Weight:
The Spanish Mustang breed of horse weighs approximately 700 to 900 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Spanish Mustang has no known breed-specific health issues.
Exercise:
The Spanish Mustang breed of horse generally has good energy.
Grooming:
Spanish Mustangs require routine grooming and regular trims for their hooves.
Origin:
The term "Spanish Mustang" is used to apply to a group of closely related breeds that descend from horses brought by Spanish explorers and colonists to the Americas beginning in the 1500s. The original horses from Spain were relatively unselected, carrying the blood of Spanish Barbs, Arabians, Lipizzaners, and other European breeds.
For centuries, Spanish horses were the most common type of horse throughout the southeastern U.S. and west of the Mississippi. Beginning in the mid- to late 1800s, however, almost all Spanish stocks were crossbred with or replaced by larger horses, such as draft horses or Thoroughbreds and other riding horse breeds. By 1950, the pure Spanish Mustang breed of horse was virtually extinct in North America. Successful conservation programs were initiated using the few remaining herds of pure Spanish Mustangs that remained.
The Spanish Mustang breed of horse goes by a number of other names, including Spanish Barb and Colonial Spanish.
