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.
