Our Horses
The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary shelters diverse herds of wild horses, many rescued from government holding pens where they faced uncertain futures. These remarkable animals preserve bloodlines that span centuries and reflect America's cultural heritage. Here, they roam freely across 11,000 acres, never saddled or ridden, living as nature intended while maintaining the untamed spirit that defines the American West.
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American Mustangs
Photo: Karla LaRive
American Mustangs, often synonymous with "wild horses," are a symbol of the American West and the spirit of freedom. These magnificent horses have a diverse genetic background, with various breeds contributing to the mustang population over centuries.
Wild mustangs currently roam the public lands across 10 Western states: Nevada, Wyoming, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah, Montana, Oregon, and Arizona. These wild horses are known for their unique social structure, which revolves around family bands. Mustangs typically live to be about 20-30 years old and come in a variety of sizes and colors.
At the Sanctuary, the majority of horses are rescued BLM-captured mustangs from the public lands. These resilient animals endured the harsh realities of life in the wild and the trauma of being rounded up and removed from their natural habitats. Many bear the physical scars of entrapment, yet they continue to embody the unbroken spirit of freedom that is synonymous with the mustang. They run across the grassy plains and scale the steep canyon walls, thriving in an environment where they can once again live as they were meant to—wild and free. Their powerful, thunderous gallop serves as a testament to their strength and adaptability, ensuring that their legacy will live on in the Sanctuary for generations to come.
Appaloosa Horses
Photo: Karla LaRive
Appaloosas, recognizable by their spotted coats, originated with the Nez Perce tribe in the Pacific Northwest. These horses came to the tribe from the Shoshone around 1730, and settlers named them "Palouse Horses" after the nearby river – a name that eventually evolved into "Appaloosa." Bred for versatility, these intelligent horses excel in ranch work and trail riding.
Their stunning coat patterns include Blanket, Leopard, Snowflake, and Roan variations, though patterns often don't fully develop until maturity. All Appaloosas share at least one defining characteristic: mottled skin, striped hooves, or eyes with white sclera. With lifespans of 25-30 years, they're known for hardiness and intelligence.
In 2014, the BLM removed 1,263 wild horses from Wyoming in the "Checkerboard Roundup," including Bronze Warrior, one of the oldest stallions captured. A year later, Bronze Warrior and his band, including three pregnant mares, found their forever home at the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, where they were reunited and now roam freely together across vast landscapes.
Choctaw Indian Ponies
The Choctaw Indian Pony represents one of America's rarest equine treasures, with fewer than 300 remaining worldwide. Standing 13.2 to 14.2 hands tall, they trace their ancestry directly to Spanish horses brought by conquistadors in the 16th century. To the Choctaw people, these ponies symbolized wealth and prestige, and breeding programs date back to the 1700s.
Originally from Mississippi, the Choctaw and their horses endured forced relocation to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears. Their remarkable stamina became legendary – General George Crook reportedly said these ponies could "run a hundred miles in a day and get up fresh to do it again come morning," reflecting centuries of adaptation to challenging environments.
DNA testing confirms that Choctaw ponies have some of the purest Spanish bloodlines in the United States. Through oral traditions and written records, the Choctaw people maintained their horses' lineage across generations. Today, our conservation efforts of these rare and gentle ponies preserves a living cultural treasure that might otherwise vanish forever.
Curly Horses
Curly horses present one of North America's most intriguing equine mysteries. Theories about their origins range from Russian settlers in the 1700s to an ancient land bridge crossing from Asia. They have been depicted in Chinese art as early as 161 A.D. and centuries later in Native American art portraying the Battle of Little Bighorn."
These horses possess a unique gene giving them curly coats, manes, tails, and whiskers—especially pronounced in winter. Their extraordinary hardiness was proven during the Nevada winter of 1951-52, when Curly horses were the only ones to survive on the open range without supplemental feeding. In addition to their resilience, Curlies are known for their calm, intelligent, and friendly nature.
Perhaps most remarkably, Curly horses are hypoallergenic, perfect for people with horse allergies. Today, a number of Curly horses live freely at the the Sanctuary, continuing their legacy as one of the most unique and enduring horse breeds in the world.
Spanish Mustangs
Spanish Mustangs are direct descendants of horses brought by explorers like Hernán Cortés, who introduced the first 16 horses to Mexico in 1518. Though few survived the ocean voyages, these became the foundation for wild herds that would thrive across North America, forever changing the continent's cultures.
These horses carry ancient Iberian traits: dorsal stripes, shoulder bars, and dark-rimmed ears. Typically Grulla (mouse brown) in color, they also appear in bay or yellow dun. Their build features short backs, arched necks, and rafter-shaped hips – adaptations for agility in rugged terrain.
Today, isolated herds exist across the western United States, including Oregon's Kiger herds, Utah's Book Cliffs, and Wyoming's Pryor Mountains. Each population represents living history, and their preservation maintains the genetic diversity of American wild horses. At our sanctuary, these Spanish Mustangs continue their centuries-old legacy, roaming freely across landscapes similar to their ancestral ranges.
Sorraia Horses
The Sorraia horse is one of the world's most endangered and primitive equine breeds. Discovered in 1920 by Dr. Ruy d'Andrade in Portugal's Sorraia River region, these horses are considered the most primitive Iberian breed still existing. With fewer than 200 remaining worldwide and fewer than 100 breeding mares, their presence at our sanctuary represents a critical conservation effort.
Sorraias are recognizable by their Grulla (mouse-grey) coat color, dorsal stripe, leg stripes, and bi-colored manes. Standing 14-14.5 hands tall, they exemplify primitive beauty with arched necks, convex profiles, and rafter-shaped hips. These traits link them directly to horses depicted in prehistoric cave paintings, suggesting their appearance has remained unchanged for thousands of years.
While Spanish Mustangs thrived after introduction to the Americas, the Sorraia remained isolated in the Iberian Peninsula, preserving traits largely lost in other modern breeds. Together, they tell a complete story of Iberian horse evolution – one branch adapted to the American frontier and another remained closer to ancient roots. The sanctuary's conservation efforts ensure this irreplaceable genetic heritage continues for future generations.
Sponsor a Horse
By sponsoring a horse, you'll form a personal bond with one of our sanctuary residents while helping ensure their freedom and care. Your contribution provides essential support while creating a meaningful connection to these magnificent animals and their ancient legacy of wildness.