The Horse That Won the West : History and Heritage of the Spanish Mustang

When Hernan Cortes and his army arrived in what is now Mexico in 1519, indigenous people were astounded to see what appeared to be creatures that were half man and half beast. As a result, they easily succumbed to the invaders before realizing that the “creatures” were soldiers astride a magnificent animal they had never seen before, Sorraia horses from the southern region of Portugal. Short of stature from other horse breeds, the Sorraia were nimble and especially hardy, thus capable of surviving the long sea voyage from Spain. Though little was known about the provenance of the breed until the 20th century, Sorraia went on to become further domesticated by natives and white settlers alike, but as preference for larger working horses grew, the Sorraia were often killed or let loose in the wild, joining other wild horse breeds under the generic tern Mustang. Today, isolated herds of Sorraia can still be found among wild horse populations, a reminder of the breed’s important role in the conquest of North America by Europeans. This book traces the history of a rare breed indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula, its introduction to and proliferation throughout North America, and its current dilemma as a pawn in the ongoing battle between private and public interests over its survival. As a horseman and rancher who at one time leased out land for a wild horse preserve, the author’s first-hand experience with the breed adds an unusual perspective to the saga of this enigmatic horse. Illustrated with over 70 color photos, art, and artifacts.