The American Mustang, also known as the "American Feral," "Range Horse," "Indian Pony," or "Cayuse Pony," is an animal with a long history. They are descended from horses that escaped from the Spanish Settlers several centuries ago, as well as from horses that escaped, were stolen or were released from American Settlers. They are primarily wild animals yet are very intelligent and quick to learn.

A hardy animal, the American Mustang has survived in the wild for several hundred years. However, quite often they will be captured by a human and "gentled." This breed, however, is not a "push-button horse" and will do as it pleases. They will not abide abuse, but if treated well will quite often comply. If the American Mustang bonds with its owners it will bond quite strongly. Perhaps because they are used to survival in the wild, the American Mustang has a very strong sense of self-preservation and will not do anything that puts them in danger. They have retained many of the feral instincts, even through domestication. When competing, they have extreme endurance. They are very intelligent and can be trained, if they want to be trained.

Mustangs come in all sizes, shapes, colors and types of build. Average size is 14.2 hands but it is not uncommon to see one as short as 13 hands or as tall as 16 hands. The most common color seen is sorrel and bay, but any color is possible. The flashier colors such as Paints, Appaloosas, Palominos, Buckskins and black seem to have been bred out of the breed over the years, but again, it is not uncommon to see those colors. Having descended from Spanish breeds, the American Mustang generally has the classic Spanish-Type head, recognizable by the straight or concave forehead and convex nose. The ears are often curled towards each other. The chests are narrow yet deep, the chestnuts are small or missing, and the feet and legs are extremely sound. Because of this the American Mustang is less prone to injury. The average size is 14.2 hands, with weight proportionate.

It is theorized that Spanish horses that escaped from their owners or from wrecked ships started the American Mustang breed. These horses bred with horses brought with the European settlers that escaped, were raided by the Indians, or freed by feral stallions wanting to add tame mares to their harem. In the beginning of the 20th century, it is estimated that there were 2 million American Mustangs in the wild. However, as more and more settlers started ranches in the west they began to kill the horses because they were competition for grazing land. By 1926 there were only about 1 million Mustangs remaining. The population continued to decrease until, in 1971, the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro act was passed to protect these animals. Unfortunately, this act caused the population to rise up to dangerous levels, in which livestock could not get enough to eat and the horses were once again becoming a nuisance. In 1976 and 1978 amendments were made to the act that allowed the Secretary of the Interior to take necessary measures to control the population. Today the number of American Mustangs varies, but it is estimated at about 30,000. Some famous mustangs include Nevada's Miss Tang. Tang was born in 1977 in Nevada. At the age of eight months Ellen Nelson of Sunnyvale, Texas adopted her. From that early start Tang has grown to be quite a celebrity in her own right. Tang represented the Mustang Horse at the Big D Charity Horse Show held in Texas. In 1992, Tang was featured in Car and Driver Magazine, "Mustang Horse vs. Mustang Car." In 1997 Tang was honored with her own trading card. Aside from just representing the breed, Tang has also been busy on the show circuit. She has won a DAC (Distinguished Achievement Certificate) in Western Pleasure, English Pleasure and Trail. She is the first Mustang to win one DAC much less three. At age 20, Tang still continues to be shown and also to greet the public as a good-will Mustang at BLM adoptions, county fairs and anywhere else the public wants to see her. Today, wild Mustangsare most commonly found in the Western United States.

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The American Mustang usually breeds between April and July. The female will usually give birth to one foal, though twins, while rare, are not unheard of.