Wild Horse

Equus caballus

The horse was domesticated in southern Ukraine about 5,000 years ago, and domestic horses have been introduced all over the world. The wild horses found in the U.S. are the descendants of domestic horses that escaped to the wild. Ten western states have wild horse populations, where they are sometimes called mustangs. In the East, the little Assateague Ponies are found on several islands off the coast of Virginia and Maryland.

Look For : A large animal with a long snout, mane, long tail, and large, semi-circular hooves, just like the domestic horse.

Length : In the West, about 5' high; in the East, less than 4'6" high.

Habitat : Varies: forests, mountains, dry brushy areas, swamps, seashores.

Range : In West, Oregon and Montana south to California and New Mexico. In East, Assateague and Chincoteague Islands off coast of Maryland and Virginia.