Range & Breeding
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Pryor Mountain Wild Horse RefugeIn September, 1968, Secretary of State Stewart Udall announced the creation of the Wild Horse Refuge in the Pryor mountains. Through the diligent efforts of the Lovell, Wyoming Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Association, and many other concerned citizens, this area was set aside to help preserve the unique breed of American mustang found here. Spotted by Native Americans long before the arrival of European settlers, wild horses can still be seen by visitors.75 horses from the Pryor Mountain herd were blood-tested by Dr. Gus Cothran of the Veterinary and Genetics Department of the University of Kentucky. Dr. Cothan remarked, "The Pryor horses are primarily derived from horses with Spanish ancestry." Dr. Phil Sponnenberg of the Veterinary College of Virginia Tech says, "The range of colors of the Pryor horses is consistent with a Spanish origin." Only a few of these original Spanish type horses brought to our country are still in existence today. |
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For more Information contact: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Visitor Center P.O. Box 487, Lovell, WY 82431 (307)-548-2251 | 
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Ancestors of the Pryor Mountain Mustangs Breeding & Color
The BarbThe Barbary horse originated in northwestern Africa, in what is now Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Historically Barbs have been prized for their endurance and quick bursts of speed. They were imported and bred for racing and hunting throughout Europe. The pure Barb stands approximately 15 hands high, with flat shoulders, low tail and a "ram shaped head". Able to carry large loads and subsist on poor forage, they make ideal military mounts.The ArabThe Arabian horse was originally bred by Bedouin tribes. This northern African desert horse is known for its rare beauty. The dished face, arched neck, hardness of foot, great muscular strength, outstanding eyesight and hearing, courage, intelligence, longevity, and stamina make this breed especially sought after. Arabs stand approximately 14 to 15 hands and come in all colors. The SorraiaThe Sorraia is a Portuguese plains horse renown for its hardiness and ability to thrive in a poor environment. They are small horses, between 12 and 13 hands with a dorsal stripe and leg stripes They are always either dun or grullo in color with heavy black manes and tails, and often have black tipped ears. |
The TarpanThe Tarpan is an ancestor of the Polish Konik, as well as the mustang. Tarpans ranged in the steppes of the Ukraine and Eastern Europe. These horses were hunted for their meat by early Europeans. Standing between 12 and 14 hands high they were grullo in color with a dorsal stripe and black mane and tail. They became extinct in the late 1800s.The AndalusionThe Andalusion horse was bred by three different Monasteries in Spain. Now primarily chestnut or black in color, they are the descendants of an Iberian breed and lack the dish face of the Arab. These horses are prized for their pure breeding. They are strong and sturdy with a smooth gait. |
A Special thanks to Hardy Olke who reviewed and corrected these descriptions. author of the informative book Born Survivors on the Eve of Extinction. His article The Sorraia Horse The Link to Antiquity is featured on line.
Here are a number of other fine books on Mustangs:
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