Chapter XIX. 



MEXICAN PONIES. 



{Mustangs. ) 



Since the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards (1519-22) a race of 

 so-called Mexican horses has been established, differing from their 

 Spanish ancestry only in those things naturally affected by the semi- 

 wild state in which they have existed, and the consequent lack of arti- 

 ficial care and attention. From Mexico they scattered gradually north- 

 ward until the entire Southwest, including Texas, New Mexico and 

 Arizona, was supplied with a native or wild horse stock, from the same 

 original source. Doubtless, also, the Mexican breed has contributed 

 largely to form the pony breeds of the more northern Indian tribes. 

 Discussion of this point will come more properly, however, under the 

 next heading, which see. 



In Texas the Mexican Ponies have been commonly called "Mus- 

 tangs," and it is by this name that they have become notorious as the 

 most ill-tempered, unmanageable, but, withal, most wiry, tough and 

 enduring specimens of the equine race to be found. 



In height they stand about 12 to 13 or 14 hands, weighing from 

 600 to 800 pounds; all colors are found, but the colors which might 

 perhaps be called characteristic of the breed are yellow clay, smoky dun 

 and mouse, with usually a darker stripe along the middle of the back. 

 The various shades of roan are quite common ; white or pink roans 

 nearly always showing a skin of the same color at the nose and on inside 

 of thighs; and spotted ponies << paints" are frequently found. 



The prominent characteristic of the Mexican Mustang lies in his 

 wonderful powers of endurance. He will carry a heavy man on his back, 

 and make a distance each day, for a month or six weeks' journey, tha 

 would tax the powers of the best Kentucky Thoroughbred. As to their 

 viciousness or ill-temper, about which so much has been written, we 

 think it entirely overdrawn. Mustang colts, taken up when two years 

 old, and handled in the same manner that eastern horsemen handle 

 colts of higher market value, will show a disposition entirely different 

 from the wild, vicious temper commonly imputed to them. Indeed, the 

 reverse is also true, since it is a well-known fact that among "Ameri- 

 can " horses as the larger improved horses brought from the east are 

 called or their descendants on the range are found the worst speci- 



94 



