Wild Mustangs ~ And Other Notable Horses of Texas

During Spanish colonial times, our present state acted as a funnel through which traveled horses from explorers' journeys (often which had escaped or were deliberately left at creek and river crossings by governmental officials, military commanders and missionaries ~ so that herds might be built up), the mission complexes and ranchos .... northward to the Plains Indians, and to the settlers and armies which later would descend and expand from the east. A cradle of the mustang (or, 'musteno,' meaning an unmarked animal claimes by the 'Mesta,' or stockman's association" *), Texas is believed today to be completely devoid of wild horses. According to the article linked to below from the 'Fort Worth Star-Telegram,' this is due mainly to the small holdings of government land in the state:

http://www.star-telegram.com/629/story/379010.html

The Handbook of Texas online provides this short article on our now lost, mustang heritage:

http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/MM/tcm2.html

It mentions the still existent wild herds of the late nineteenth century, which were written of by J. Frank Dobie, as well as making the following general statement:

"A band of 100 palominos ran between Quihi Prairie and Hondo Creek in South Texas."

It is written elsewhere that some 50,000 mustangs grazed across the vast Llano Estacado during the 1870s and 1880s. The rounding-up of these horses -- to be sold to ranchers -- provided employment for buffalo hunters as the herds of the wooley animals dwindled. *

Does anyone have further information -- whether historical or folkloric -- about the history of the wild horse in our state?

Following are links to pages providing an overview of the often sad stories of the remaining mustangs of the Great Basin and Virginia Range ~ primarily in Nevada:

http://tinyurl.com/285atd

http://www.vrwpa.org/

Thanks.

* 'Western Horse Tales,' Don Worcester, ed., pages 3 and 4
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The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

"'Master Gould,' the sire of all the best White and Strickland horses, for many years. One of the best sires ever in this county. This registered thoroughbred was raised by Sam Waring of Eden, who raised some of the best polo sires in this country. This sire was the foundation stock of the White and Strickland polo farm. Now owned by the government, to whom it was sold, and is now standing on Ed Gibbons' ranch [?], 20 miles east of Brady." (ca. 1920)

~ Taken from the back of the photograph
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The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Also, does anyone out there know when the Quarter-Horse races last were held at G. Rollie White Downs, in Brady?
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Subject: 'Little Joe' and Family Mon 30 Jun 2008, 12:50 pm

Sweet.

http://tinyurl.com/5wjaus
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves