Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

A good source for all those interested in the "Wild Horse" herds that have more Spanish Barb ancestry  are individuals who work with the WIld Horse Program that the BLM has. There has been some genetic testes done on specific herds to trace the lineage to these original Spanish Barbs brought to the Americas. Some of the herds that have more genetic links include the Pryor herd in WY/MT, The Sulpher Springs and Bookcliff in UT, the Kiger herd in OR, and the Cerbat herd in AZ. This is not to say that they are pure, but genetically speaking they have more in common with the Spanish Barbs than some other herds. Just looking at the features (leg and shoulder stripes, close set ear tips, smaller stature etc...) that gives you a clue.   I had the wonderful oppportunity to work with the Pryor herd doing some research and they are truly beautiful. My 1/2 Peruvian Paso, 1/4 Qrt , 1/4 Welsh mare could have been turned out with that herd and no one would have known she didn't belong. On the other hand, the wild horse we adopted out of the Green Springs herd in WY obviously has some Percheron in her. She is big boned and short backed..taller than individuals in the more Spanish dominated herds. Regardless...based on her stamina and endurance when we go out we have decided to do the necessary conditioning and give her a shot at being a Ride and Tie horse and doing some shorter distance rides. She is a teriffic horse, as Ed mentioned she came with no bad habits (we taught her all she needed!) and is both willing and intelligent. She was my second horse ever and with time and patience she has turned out great. I do not think she was any more difficult than any horse...each is an individual regardless of the breed. They take as much time and effort as they are going to take, you just have to be commintted to them.  I am a firm believer that a good horse is a good horse. And just so y'all don't feel too bad either way, Mustang is a spanish term for (loosley speaking) a horse that got away. The term mustang has been used here in the Americas to refer to both all feral horses (regardless of genetics) as well as those that descended from the Spanish Barb. It really all depends on which dictionary you look in. SO be aware that when you say Mustang to one person, it may have a different, but equally correct, meaning to another person. I suggest we all enjoy the horses we want and not be critical of others choices. Some people do not do these events to be number one...they just want to do it. I do not have the priveledge of going out and buying the perfect horse for these events. I realized Ride nad Ties and endurance were the equine activities I wanted to do AFTER I already had my horses. I love them and I am not going to get rid of them. As long as we take the welfare of each horse into consideration and do not ask for more that they can give great. Maybe all my Wild Horse and I will ever be able to do is short Ride and Ties or 30 mile races...that is fine. I get just as much pleasure in the time spent preparing. Have fun everyone...! Martina

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