They are classified within the larger grouping of the Colonial Spanish horse, a type that today is rare in Spain.

[1] By the early 20th century, most of the once-vast herds of mustangs that had descended from the Spanish horses had been greatly reduced in size.

Seeing that these horses were on the brink of extinction, some horseman began making efforts to find and preserve the remaining "Spanish Mustangs" drawing stock from feral and Native American herds, as well as ranch stock.

[7] As the conquest of Mexico progressed during the 16th century, horse herds spread north and crossed the Rio Grande.

Over the next one hundred years, horses in the Americas were stolen and traded by the Apache, Comanche, and later the Utes and Shoshone to various tribes across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains.

Monty, captured in 1927 in Utah, escaped back to the wild in 1944, taking his mares with him.

The coupling is strong and horses are to be well balanced and smoothly built with an "uphill" build.

[9] The Spanish Mustang is also used to compete in a variety of English and Western riding events.