what is a mustang

A mustang is a free-roaming horse of the Western United States, descended from horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish. They are often referred to as wild horses, but because they are descended from once-domesticated animals, they are actually feral horses. The original mustangs were Colonial Spanish horses, but many other breeds and types of horses contributed to the modern mustang, resulting in varying phenotypes. Mustangs are known for being hardy, surefooted, and having good endurance, making them ideal as working horses and trail horses. They are also versatile and suitable for a wide array of disciplines and activities. Mustangs are not technically wild horses because they came from a domesticated population, and so the mustangs living in the wild are considered feral. They can be found roaming free across the western United States but are also kept by humans in captivity and ridden like other horses. The name "mustang" comes from the Spanish words "mestengo" and "mostrenco," meaning "wild or masterless cattle".