Wild Horses

Salts at sundown

Arizona is often know for its amazing sunsets. This one was special for us because these wild mustangs we headed in our direction and we rushed to setup to capture this wonderful scene. Arizona is home to approx. 500 wild horses with roughly 400 of them in the Tonto National Forest. We are also an authorized tour provider with the forest service.

Hale

While it may look like these mares are bowing to the stallion, they were actually just grazing while he was trying to put on a show. They could care less about he antics.

Spirit of the Sonoran Desert

Mustangs are descendants of Spanish, or Iberian, horses that were brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The name was derived from the Spanish word mustengo, which means “ownerless beast”. Once escaped, these horses evolved without the influence of man and through survival of the fittest, evolved into the incredibly durable and tough breed we know today. The word Mustang or Wild Horse is used interchangeably. Tracing the Salt River wild horses back, historic records indicate that in 1687 Missionary Father Eusebio Keno journeyed to Southern Arizona (then Sonora) Due to his efforts, missions and stockyards were developed, he reportedly left hundreds of horses and cattle at each mission. His many expeditions on horseback covered over 50,000 square miles. He had 6 succesful missions in Arizona including in Phoenix. Father Kino remained in southern Arizona until his death in 1711. (source; Architect of the Capitol, Washington D.C.). Around the 1930’s Arizona had an estimate half million wild horses and after round ups and slaughters there are now less than 500 remaining.

Guiding Moment

Young foals will stay close to their mothers and as they wean away from nursing they learn what foliage they should be eating. A unique trait of the Salt River horses is that they snorkel when the river is high for the water grasses that grow beneath the surface. Mustangs are descendants of Spanish, or Iberian, horses that were brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The name was derived from the Spanish word mustengo, which means “ownerless beast”. Once escaped, these horses evolved without the influence of man and through survival of the fittest, evolved into the incredibly durable and tough breed we know today. The word Mustang or Wild Horse is used interchangeably. Tracing the Salt River wild horses back, historic records indicate that in 1687 Missionary Father Eusebio Keno journeyed to Southern Arizona (then Sonora) Due to his efforts, missions and stockyards were developed, he reportedly left hundreds of horses and cattle at each mission. His many expeditions on horseback covered over 50,000 square miles. He had 6 succesful missions in Arizona including in Phoenix. Father Kino remained in southern Arizona until his death in 1711. (source; Architect of the Capitol, Washington D.C.). Around the 1930’s Arizona had an estimate half million wild horses and after round ups and slaughters there are now less than 500 remaining.

Dominance

The Dance

Wild stallions often face multiple confrontations daily. Some are little more than posturing, sizing up each other, and a little show for the ladies. Sometimes these meeting require a little more assertiveness, and some even result in serious injuries. Keep in mind these stallions train their entire lives for these battles. Their goal is for the chance to mate and lead a band of mares, and continue their legacy. Mustangs are descendants of Spanish, or Iberian, horses that were brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The name was derived from the Spanish word mustengo, which means “ownerless beast”. Once escaped, these horses evolved without the influence of man and through survival of the fittest, evolved into the incredibly durable and tough breed we know today. The word Mustang or Wild Horse is used interchangeably. Tracing the Salt River wild horses back, historic records indicate that in 1687 Missionary Father Eusebio Keno journeyed to Southern Arizona (then Sonora) Due to his efforts, missions and stockyards were developed, he reportedly left hundreds of horses and cattle at each mission. His many expeditions on horseback covered over 50,000 square miles. He had 6 succesful missions in Arizona including in Phoenix. Father Kino remained in southern Arizona until his death in 1711. (source; Architect of the Capitol, Washington D.C.). Around the 1930’s Arizona had an estimate half million wild horses and after round ups and slaughters there are now less than 500 remaining.

Uncertain

These wild mustangs may know a storm is brewing, but they are unaware the most challenging one will be with man.

Wild Glance

Mustangs are descendants of Spanish, or Iberian, horses that were brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The name was derived from the Spanish word mustengo, which means “ownerless beast”. Once escaped, these horses evolved without the influence of man and through survival of the fittest, evolved into the incredibly durable and tough breed we know today. The word Mustang or Wild Horse is used interchangeably. The Sand Wash Basin covers 250 square miles in northwest Colorado. The area is home to approx. 750 wild horses. Some argue this number exceeds the the number that the land can adequately sustain while history and nature have proven otherwise. Nonetheless the BLM and advocate groups work together to maintain and reduce the overall numbers in effective and human methods.

Gaurdian

Wild mustangs scatter the American landscape. Many have freely roamed for more than a hundred years. While some herds are documented back to the late 1600’s, other herds originated after wars, when the government turned out, no longer needed horses, to fend for themselves. While the definition of “wild” remains contested, thousands of horses, generation after generation, continue to live with little or no human intervention. Their existence is a true testament to the American Spirit. Whether you see them as wild, free roaming or any other term, we encourage you to see them for yourself. See the often harsh conditions they manage to survive. See how wild they really are.