Kiger Mustang

The Kiger Mustang is a rare horse breed. It is mainly used as a mount. The breed originated from the United States, specifically from Oregon.

Physical Characteristics

The Kiger Mustang has qualities that are quite similar to the ancient Spanish horses that were brought to the Americas. The head is rather small, with the eyes placed high. Altogether, the Kiger Mustang has an oriental aspect to it.

The Kiger Mustang has small and curved ears. Its neck is arched and muscular. The withers are long and rather pronounced. The body is short, too, with a narrow chest and a low-set tail. The shoulders are well formed and well muscled. Kiger Mustangs stand at an average height of 14 to 15 hands (56-60 inches, 142-152 centimeters).

Personality and Temperament

The Kiger Mustang has a good working attitude. It is obedient. It shows a marked willingness to learn and obey instructions. Similar to most Spanish Mustangs, the Kiger Mustang is also very adept at working with cattle.

History and Background

During the early period after European colonization, there were a lot of Spanish Mustangs freely roaming certain parts of the United States. These horses were actually products of the Spanish colonization activities.

When more and more people started coming to the United States, the feral Spanish Mustangs were captured and even shot. This is one of the main reasons for the current rarity of the breed.

Nowadays, the Mustangs that can be found in the United States are no longer of the same breed that roamed during the country’s early days. Of course, there is a good chance that these present-day Mustangs are actually descendants of the original, pure Spanish Mustangs.

It was in 1977 that a herd of seemingly-pure Spanish Mustangs coming from the remote Beaty Butte Range, ended up with Ron Harding. He examined the horses and concluded that they were indeed of Spanish extraction. Ron Harding, together with Chris Vosler, immediately took care of the herd to preserve the breed.

The herd was cared for.  Harding and company also made sure that the herd would remain pure of foreign influences. This herd was the beginning of the Kiger Mustang horse breed. In 1988, the Kiger Mesteflo Association was formed to preserve the genes and the bloodlines of the Kiger Mustang.