The Spanish Conquistadors brought the first horses to the US. Soon after that, the Native Americans acquired the horses. A new type of culture was created for them when the horses arrived. They were very helpful to the Native Americans. They provided a new kind of transportation for them, were able to carry heavy loads, and also to help them hunt. When people started a western movement, the horses were already there.
Some of the
Native American horses escaped human control and became wild horses. These horses are the ancestors of the modern
day mustang. The mustang is a horse
that is very strongly associated with the Western US, and is also a favorite
horse species for many cowboys today. Even today there are wild mustangs that
roam the west, and are forever a symbol of freedom.
