Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I am doing a research paper for English (in college) and I chose to write about wild animals, compared to feral animals, compared to domestics. I am having a hard time finding info on feral/"wild" horses (mustangs) so I was hoping someone here could help.
How does an un-tamed mustang compare to a tame pet horse that has been raised by humans since birth?
How does a tamed mustang compare to a tame pet horse that has been raised by humans since birth?
If two tamed "wild" mustangs were bred together, would the resulting foal retain any "wildness" or would it be no different than a foal born to two tame pet horses?

~Seij

You're really better off posting this in The Equestrian Tavern - EVERYONE reads the stuff in there. Posting in here, considering no one's posted since September, eehhhh...

I don't really know much about mustangs, but from what I've heard they are healthier than tame horses, probably due to survival of the fittest actually getting a chance out there in the wild vs. our little system of "NURSE THE DYING THING BACK TO HEALTH then let's breed it later!"

As for the wildness thing, that depends on the horses. Horses are just like people. Some are complete #@)(*&$)@#$'s, some are peaceful and wonderful. It's all in the personality. A foal that came from two wild mustangs that was raised by people from birth would be just the same as a kitten you found 2 weeks old in an alley in the city and raising it on your own. The cat will end up being just as used to you as a tame cat would be, but it's the personality that determines if it's going to be feral in its habits, such as fighting, wandering off, etc.

She's right this forum is dead. I try to keep checking back once in a while to see if anyone has posted but I just got tired of talking to myself.
As for Mustangs being different than Domestic horses I really don't see a difference in mine. Once I got them gentled down they are just as big of babies as my other "Domestic" horses. The only thing I can say is different is that I can go out in the "pasture" and catch any of them but last fall my mare Peanut got lose from us in an area that had no fences and she perked up as if to say "I know this kind of land, I am free again" She was a bear to catch, even with the grain bucket. My other "domestic" horses would never have even left thier human companions in that situation. Or they would have headed back to the horse trailer or the house. Peanut just took off bucking and kicking in the opposite direction for miles. We finally herded her very carefully to a corner of fence, but as soon as she figured out what we were up to she tried her hardest to avoid it. Once I had ahold of her halter again she was a big kitten once again and finished out the day under a saddle with no more complications.
As for the foals born in captivity, I really dont see any difference in them. YO-YO was born here and she is from two mustang parents and she is just as gentle as the others, and she is like my domestic horses and would want to stick to the saftey of human company if she were to get lose.
I must add though, that my horses were adopted when they were 3 yr olds so that may have helped curb their wild instincts. They were very quick to learn that that nice dry hay in the winter was much better than having to dig to find your meals. They gain weight so much faster than domestic horses. Probably a "survival of the fittest" thing I am sure.

Good luck on your paper!
Becky
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The one and only truly wild ride!

Thanks for the reply. Have you noticed that your mustangs are smarter than the average domestic horse? I keep reading that mustangs are supposed to be very smart, but none of these sources ever say if that means they are smartER than normal domestic horses.

I don't know about being "smarter" than the domestic horses, but the mares that have been out on the range before I got them sure are more..."clever". They plan their movements ahead of time, such as when I was trying to catch that mare. She figured it out way ahead of time that she was being cornered and we had a time pushing her into a corner. They also seem to see all around them and just dont spook very often. I ride out in the hills alot with them and they dont ever spook when rabbit jumps out from under them or a coyote darts out in front of us. I sometimes feel like they knew it was there long before it moved. They are always alert too, ears perked forward and paying attention to things, yet still very calm and gentle.
Many times I have almost been unseated when riding my mare Cheyenne, a domestic mare, and rabbits or other critters show themselves too close to her. She is a great mare, but she just seems to forget to watch her surroundings.
As for in the pasture, I have troubles with the mustang mares wanting to lead the pack. They both seem to want to be "lead mare" and we have an appy mare that doesn't feel ready to relenquish that title yet. Some nasty fights break out and they have been together for 5 yrs now. And you NEVER call a Mustang in late to eat. They think of their gut first and foremost. haha.
Hope this helps some.
Becky
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The one and only truly wild ride!

Hello I raise and breed Registered Spanish Mustangs, and they are one of the smartest, and self sufficient horse breed there is. Here is a link to the Southwest Spanish Mustang Association. I hope this will help, as there are articles there that go back to the days of Cortez. Owln D. Wise
http://www.southwestspanishmustangassociation.com/
Link