Mustang Horses - Pictures
Mustang Horses - DietIf Mustang Horses can roam and graze freely, it will probably be healthy. A Mustang Horse would select what its body tells it to pick. But, when the horses are kept in small corrals, their owners have to find out what the horses need. Grass hay (alfalfa, clover, timothy, Bermuda, prairie) should make up the majority of the horse's diet. Grain is very important for all horses, especially rolled oats. Milo, corn, and barley are also acceptable.For protein supplements Mustangs need linseed, cottonseed, dried skim milk, or commercially mixed protein supplement. Also horses should have salt and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, and others) always available. But use only minerals for equine because others are dangerous. Mustangs need plenty of cool fresh water, especially in hot weather. Mustang Horses - BehaviorWild Mustangs live in small herds of several mares, their offspring, and one dominant stallion that is usually 6 years of age or older. There is also a dominant mare, which is responsible for leading the herd into grazing. The foals born in the group remain with their mothers for about 2 years and then leave the herd. This avoids interbreeding. When the herd is moving, the stallion is in the rear to protect his group from other stallions. Mustang Horses bond with each other within a herd and give affection by playful bouts and nibbling each other's necks.In captivity Mustangs have a different mentality than domesticated horses. They will not abide abuse and possess an innate sense of self-preservation. Mustangs never put themselves into destructive or dangerous situations. They retain many instincts that allowed them to survive in the feral state. The Mustang's gate can be an amble, a running walk, or a single foot. Some horses are laterally gaited. Mustang Horses are hardy by nature and are less prone to injury than other breeds.
Pages: 1 2
| Breeders - Associations | | Management | | Pictures |
Copyright © 2001-2008 www.mustang-horses.org
All Rights Reserved. A mustang ranch will usually have foals available if they are a breeder ranch. |
        |