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Sulphurs Chance owned by Erin Gray |
Sulphur Springs Mustangs.
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The North American continent was the birthplace of
the horse. Equus Caballus grew strong and multiplied on the vast, rich prairies
. But for reasons still unknown the horse disappeared from this continent
around 10,000 years ago. When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived on the shores
of the New World they did not come alone. They brought with them some of the
finest horses the world had ever seen. The horse had returned.
Chief owned by Kathy Campbell |
The Spanish raised their
horses in a semi-wild state and it was these horses that gave birth to the vast
herds of mustangs that roamed the American West.
The mustang of today has very little, if any,
Spanish links as most are the results of domestic stock escaping or being
turned loose.
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But not the Sulphur herd.
High in the remote juniper
covered valleys of Utah's Mountain Home Range a herd of Spanish horses has
survived with little to no outside influence. They are believed to be one of
the purest herds of Spanish horses left in America.
Research being conducted into these horses has
so far confirmed that they are indeed of Spanish descent. Dr. Gus Cothran,
director of the Equine Blood Typing Research Laboratory at the University of
Kentucky wrote, after testing blood samples from the herd, " that the
Sulphur Herd in general appears to have strong Spanish links."
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Anhur Maximus " Max " owned by Cammie
Seferovich |
Rizada owned by Danna Miyamoto |
German author Hardy Oelke
has done extensive research into these horses. Proving, through Mitrochondrial
Dna tests, the link between the Iberian Sorraia and the Sorraia Mustangs of
North America.
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History
The Old Spanish trail was an
early trade route linking Los Angeles , California to Santa Fe , New Mexico.
Blankets from New Mexico and fur from Utah was traded in California for Spanish
horses and mules. The Old Spanish Trail became well know for the many horses
that were stolen along its route. In 1840 the most daring horse stealing raid
to ever occur took place. A Ute Indian chief and a one- legged mountain man
raided the missions of southern California of their most prized horses. More
than 3000 horses were stolen and driven north into Utah. It is from these
horses and others brought to Utah both legally and illegally that the Sulphur
herd is thought to have originated.
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Rocky ( grullo color ) owned by Kathy Campbell
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Conformation
Rizada owned by Danna Miyamoto showing the zebra
stripes on her legs |
The Sulphur horses have
retained many of the characteristics of the Iberian Sorraia, the primitive
ancestor of the Iberian Saddle Horse. They are strikingly beautiful horses
usually of dun, grullo( mouse gray ) and red dun coloration with dorsal stripes
along their backs and strong zebra stripes on their legs.
These strong primitive markings have earned the
herd the nickname " Utah's Zebra Horses". Compact in size ( around
14.2 hh ) these horses are extremely easy keepers. Very agile and possessing
tremendous endurance they are proving themselves in the competitive
arenas. |
Anhur Maximus " Max " owned by Cammie
Seferovich showing his dorsal stripe |
Rizada owned by Danna Miyamoto showing the cobweb
marks on her head |
Generations of fending for
themselves in some of the West's harshest conditions has created a horse with
rock solid legs, a sound mind, and feet of steel. It is these traits along with
the Sulphur's wonderful temperament that are winning the hearts of those that
come into contact with this breed.
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Anhur Maximus " Max " owned by Cammie
Seferovich |
This article and the accompanying photographs were
kindly provided by Danna Miyamoto, owner of Sundance Sulphurs.
Please click here to learn more about the Sulphur Springs Mustang
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