Myth Busting
Mustangs are inbred muts.
Some mustang herds have been isolated since the 1970s. Prior to that they were free roaming and had genetic infusion from horses that got away or were let out from local ranches. According to some sources a minimum population of 50 is necessary to avoid inbreeding and a minimum of 500 is needed to minimize genetic drift.
Mustangs travel 20-30 miles a day to get food and water.
The research we have done in Oregon has shown that wild horses travel 3-5 miles per day. We compared our findings with other researchers and feel that the Oregon mustangs may travel less each day due to the presence of adequate water and food.
Wild horses need room to run.
The research that we have done in Oregon has also shown the majority of horses in the wild rarely do more than slowly meander as they graze. Horses, if startled, fighting, or avoiding a fight, may run short distances. Young horses may run and play. Not to say horses shouldnt be given the space to run if they choose.
Dog Soldiers are aggressive and try to steal mares from other stallions.
Based on the time we have spent in Oregon we have never seen any indications of Dog Soldiers, a band of bachelor stallions, acting in an aggressive manner or stealing mares. Most of the time when dog soldiers approach a band they are met by a stallion from the band and they posture but rarely do they fight. After a short time dog soldiers typically are allowed to hang out with the new band until the groups go their seperate ways.
Stallions kill the foals of other stallions.
Glad to say we have never witnessed this. The majority of the time foals don’t interact with other stallions. On the occasion when we have seen this interaction, it has been peaceful and without violence.