There are few creatures that more keenly stir feelings of days-gone-by and the freedoms of the Wild West than the horse. You can still encounter free-roaming herds in certain parts of the United States – some of them protected within national parks. If you have found yourself wondering about these unbridled equines, you’ve come to the right place. We have pulled together interesting facts, resources, and our recommendations for where to see them.

Wild vs Feral

An important characteristic of the “wild” horses you may encounter in the United States, is that they are, in fact, not technically wild. All the herds that now roam free here are descendants of once-domesticated horses that have adapted and learned to live in the wild, making the correct term for them “feral” horses. Another accurate name for the ones specifically found in the West is “mustang” — a word derived from their Spanish ancestor, the mesteño, from which all the current free-roaming horses in the West are descended.

Are Horses Native to the United States?

The short answer is yes. However, the horses that evolved here, and were by definition “native” to the United States, all went extinct 10,000-12,000 years ago. The horses of today are considered non-native as they are descendants of European and African breeds that were domesticated and brought here by humans. It is believed that the first horses reintroduced to North America in modern times were brought by Cortes when he arrived in Mexico in the 1500s. The Smithsonian Magazine has an interesting piece on the history of horses in America and new evidence around the arrival of the modern equine.

The Best Places to See Free-roaming Horses in the United States

You may be surprised to learn that the Bureau of Land Management estimates there are around 70,000 feral horses and burros currently in the American West, making herd management a major priority for the organization. Along the East Coast there are also a handful of herds dotting coastal islands, storied folklore claiming they arrived by shipwreck. 

Assateague Island National Seashore — Among the most famous of the free-roaming equines, the ponies of Assateague have captured hearts and imaginations for hundreds of years. Their fame is in part due to the beloved children’s book, Misty of Chincoteague and in part to the novelty of seeing these hardy little ponies enjoying the beaches of their island home. Visitors are usually rewarded with sightings of the herds along the barrier islands spanning Maryland and Virginia.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park — While some national parks consider feral horses to be “trespass livestock” and actively try to keep herds away from archeological sites, Theodore Roosevelt National Park adapted their policies to embrace theirs as a “historical demonstration herd” in the spirit of what Theodore Roosevelt experienced when visiting the lands. Park rangers can offer tips about where best to see the horses on the specific days and times of your visit, and in general the Talkington Trailhead and lookout points of Painted Canyon, Buck Hill, or Wind Canyon are recommended for herd-viewing.

Let Them be Wild

Despite our earlier explanation that the free-ranging horses of the U.S. can’t be called wild, they should still be experienced as all wild animals should — from a distance. Never feed or pet feral horses or interfere with their herd dynamics. Leaving them alone is one of the best ways you can help them remain healthy and free-roaming.