According to current estimates, there are over 60 million horses worldwide. Horses are some of the most popular animals for those interested in sports and the equestrian lifestyle and for those who like to appreciate nature. In addition to domesticated horses, especially those used for riding or commercial purposes, there are also many that run wild, with almost 30,000 wild horses in the United States alone. Many of these horses in the U.S. are wild Spanish Mustangs, a type of horse introduced to the country by the Spanish hundreds of years ago.
If you’re interested in learning more about horses, or you’ve wondered “Where do wild Mustangs live?”, here are some interesting facts about wild horses and other horses in the United States.
1. Horses are some of the most interesting animals on the planet. There are hundreds of different breeds of horses and ponies throughout the world, and on average they can live between 25 and 30 years. The average wild horse measures about 14 hands and weighs roughly 900 pounds. When in an environment that allows it, horses will graze between 15 and 17 hours a day, and they are able to fall asleep both lying down and standing up.
2. Many people think of horses as domesticated, especially given the number of horse breeds there are. Most horses are domesticated because they are used for sports such as racing or for various equestrian activities. Horses are an especially popular animal for gambling, especially during big national events like the Triple Crown races. The fastest sprinting speed ever for a horse was 55 miles per hour.
3. There are also many wild (or “feral,” rather) horses throughout the world, and many in the United States. Wild Spanish Mustangs are some of the most common wild horses in the United States. Spanish Mustangs were originally brought to America by the Spanish during their earliest discoveries and conquests. Today, these horses are almost extinct in their native country, but many of them reside in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
4. For those who are interested in seeing wild Spanish Mustangs in person, there are plenty of opportunities to do so on one of the many Outer Banks wild horse tours. These tours are great for giving tourists a unique experience in the region. These tours are for watching only, and the horses are viewed in their natural habitat.
Interested in seeing wild horses? Want to find out more about them? Be sure to find a tour in your area that will take you to see wild horses, or be sure to travel to an area where one of these tours is available. Have more questions about horses and horse tours? Leave a comment below.
