The Wild Horses of the West: Legends on the Hoof

Wild Mustangs in Wyoming

The Wild West conjures up images of dusty trails, sprawling plains, and of course, wild horses galloping freely across the horizon. These iconic animals are more than just symbols of freedom and untamed spirit—they have deep roots in American history and culture.

Origins: From Escapees to Icons

Contrary to popular belief, horses are not native to North America. They originated here millions of years ago but went extinct around 10,000 years ago. It wasn’t until the early 1500s that horses returned to the continent, brought over by Spanish explorers like Hernán Cortés. Some horses escaped or were released, and over time, they formed free-roaming herds across the Great Plains, deserts, and mountainous regions.

These feral descendants of domesticated horses came to be known as mustangs—a term derived from the Spanish word mesteño, meaning "stray" or "ownerless." By the 18th and 19th centuries, mustangs had spread across vast areas of the western U.S., from Texas to Nevada.
Work and Partnership

Wild horses weren’t just admired from afar—they became central to the lives of Native American tribes, cowboys, ranchers, and settlers. Tribes such as the Comanche quickly became expert horsemen, using them for hunting, travel, and warfare. Horses revolutionized life for many Plains tribes, granting them unmatched mobility.

During the heyday of the cowboy in the 1800s, horses were indispensable. They were used for cattle drives, farming, transport, and even mail delivery through the Pony Express. A well-trained horse was as valuable as gold, and bonds between rider and steed were often deep and lifelong.

Care and Challenges

While wild horses thrived in open landscapes, domesticated horses required care. Cowboys and ranchers provided feed, clean water, shoeing, and shelter. Caring for a horse also meant regular grooming, vet care, and ensuring the animal wasn’t overworked.

In the wild, mustangs had to fend for themselves, facing predators, drought, and competition for food. Today, their numbers are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as overpopulation can threaten both the horses and the delicate ecosystems they roam.

Legends and Folklore

Comanche, with saddle and bridle, held by a soldier.
Public domain image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The West is rich with horse legends. One of the most famous horses in folklore is Comanche, the horse of Captain Myles Keogh of the 7th Cavalry. After the battle in 1876, Comanche was found gravely wounded but alive—one of the few survivors from Custer’s detachment. He was taken in and nursed back to health by the U.S. Army. Comanche was given full military honors and lived out the rest of his days at Fort Riley, Kansas. He received exceptional care and never carried a rider again.

After his death in 1891, Comanche’s remains were preserved through taxidermy. Today, you can see him on display at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum in Lawrence, Kansas. His mounted form is carefully maintained as a historical artifact, housed in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment to ensure his preservation. The exhibit includes information about his life, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and his unique place in American military and equine history.

Roy Rogers and Trigger in a publicity photo.
Public domain image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Trigger, the golden palomino of cowboy actor Roy Rogers, achieved the status of movie star in his own right. Trigger appeared in films and performed tricks that dazzled his audiences.

Then there’s the ghostly tale of the Phantom Stallion, a recurring motif in Western lore that embodies the mystery and majesty of the Wild West. This legendary horse is said to roam the wide-open ranges alone, a beautiful, powerful creature with a coat as white as snow or as black as night—depending on the version told. Elusive and wild-eyed, the Phantom Stallion is rarely seen for more than a fleeting moment, vanishing like mist before anyone can get close. Ranchers, cowboys, and travelers speak of catching glimpses of him on moonlit ridges or across distant valleys, always just out of reach.

In many versions of the tale, the Phantom isn’t just a wild horse but the living embodiment of freedom itself. To some, spotting the stallion is a sign of good fortune, while others see him as an omen or a reminder that not all things can be tamed. The story has inspired countless books, songs, and even a popular young adult series, The Phantom Stallion by Terri Farley, which blends the myth with modern-day mustang advocacy.

The legend persists because it captures something timeless--the untamed spirit of the Wild West.

Final Thoughts

Listen carefully, and you will hear the echo of hoofbeats as the wild horses of the West run forward through time. They remain living legacies of America's past.

Over to You

Do you know of any other legendary horses of the Wild West? If you've seen wild horses, what did you experience?

About Janalyn Voigt

Janalyn Voigt fell in love with literature at an early age when her father read chapters from classics as bedtime stories. When Janalyn grew older, she put herself to sleep with tales "written" in her head. Today Janalyn is a storyteller who writes in several genres. Romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy appear in all her novels in proportions dictated by their genre. 

Learn more about Janalyn Voigt and the books she writes.

Discover Montana Gold

Hills of Nevermore: A young widow hides her shameful secret from a blue-eyed circuit preacher.

Cheyenne Sunrise: A disillusioned young woman is forced to entrust herself to a half-Cheyenne guide.

Stagecoach to Liberty: To escape captivity, a young woman must trust a mysterious stranger.

The Forever Sky: Can a young widow with no faith in love reconcile with the man who broke her heart?

The Promise Tree: A preacher’s daughter knows she shouldn't encourage a troublemaker, no matter she promised him.

The Whispering Wind: Phoebe can have her pick of suitors but never the man she wants.

Learn More

Montana Gold Boxed Set (books 1-4 discounted)

Frank T. Hopkins - A Legend

I recently watched the movie Hidalgo again. It’s a very entertaining movie filmed in 2004 about an American cowboy and long-distance rider competing in a 3,000 mile race in Arabia. Loads of fun, and the credits say it’s based on the life of Frank T. Hopkins.

Frank T. Hopkins

So, I decided to share a bit about the movie and the man with HHH readers. And that’s when I opened a huge can of worms. Some folks claim that Frank T. Hopkins made up a lot of his exploits, including the 400 long-distance races he competed in as well as the race in Arabia, called the “Ocean of Fire”.

I have nothing new to bring to that argument, and that’s not what I want to blog about today. Based on first-hand accounts of people who knew Hopkins, I’m leaning toward a bit more fact than fiction, though.

But as far as the movie itself, the screenwriter, John Fusco, said he took liberties with the writings of Frank T. Hopkins and his wife, Gertrude.

Fusco said, “As the screenwriter of “Hidalgo,” perhaps I am much to blame for the questions surrounding Hopkins’ memory and possible “Little Big Man” embellishments. I took what was a very banal, saddle-tech account of Hopkins’ own desert memories of 1891 and turned them into an action-adventure celebration of a story that has long fascinated me. Today, some critics actually believe that Hopkins himself dreamed up bandit ambuscades, hunting leopards, daring rescues, a three second victory margin, and the dramatic name of the race: the Ocean of Fire. He did not. I did. Movies are entertainment and I obviously heightened the “Based On” story to create an entertaining theatrical film. 3,000 miles is a long ride without some rising conflict.”

As I read through the accounts of Hopkins life and the supposed lack of proof of his exploits, I can also see why long-distance races weren’t documented in the 1800s. Extreme long-distance endurance races were on the down-low back in the late 1800s-early 1900s because of the possibility and/or perceived inhumane treatment of horses.

Possibly endurance races were fairly common, but also were more apt to be participated in by common rough-and-ready horsemen and women. It wasn’t a rich man’s sport with deep pockets so didn’t get top billing in newspapers either.

Organized endurance riding as a formal sport began in 1955, when Wendell Robie and a group of equestrians rode from the Lake Tahoe area across the Sierra Nevada Range to Auburn in under 24 hours. This event is known as the Tevis Cup.

Those who participate in endurance riding are dedicated horsemen and they strive to take good care of their horses. Every care is taken to ensure the welfare of the animals, from resting checkpoints, veterinarians, and proper equipment.

But as with any sport where money is involved, there have been complaints of abuse in some of the endurance organizations, especially the international groups.

Back to Mr. Hopkins.

According to the official Frank T. Hopkins website, he was born in Fort Laramie, WY shortly after the Civil War to an army scout and the daughter of a Sioux chief. He was a quiet man who knew his horses, knew how to train them, actually partnered with his horses, and preferred Mustangs over any other breed. He conditioned his horses to be prepared to travel up to 50 miles a day, and if they were still game at that point, he knew he had a horse fit for endurance rides.

He started races slowly, letting his horse become accustomed to the trail. Then as the race continued, he and his horse increased their daily miles to overtake the leaders.

Fact or fiction, tall tale or not, Frank Hopkins was a notable figure in the history of the Mustang and the movie Hidalgo pays tribute to the man and the horse.

Just Released April 15th!

Spring into Love Heartwarming Historical Romance. Beautiful historical romance novellas written just for you by some of today's best-selling and award-winning Christian authors! Sit back and relax while these four talented women whisk you back to simpler times in America's past... but with that simplicity came hard work and change, so curl up in your favorite spot and see what Mary, Ruthy, Pam and Cara have brought your way as you "Spring Into Love" with this new delightful Christian romance collection! 

CBA Bestselling author PAM HILLMAN was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn't afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove an Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn't mind raking. Raking hay doesn't take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that's the kind of life every girl should dream of. www.pamhillman.com

Running With Wild Horses

Janet Chester Bly

Wild Horses at Sunset

There’s nothing more pastoral and peaceful than the sight of horses grazing, whether they’re wild or tamed. And nothing more exciting than to watch horses run, whether on a track, along the beach, in a pasture, or across the desert. The pounding of stony hoof beats on a hard desert floor starts with a long, low rumble. Then a whiplash of speed, mane and tail flowing, muscles rippling with grace and power.

A friend once told me of her horse getting tangled in a stallion fight. A vice grip of teeth ripped his hide. His beautiful neck and throat became a puffed mass of dry, curled skin, his head nearly torn off. He had a busted knee and nearly every rib broken.

Another time she told me of running with wild horses. “The sensation’s like trying to capture the wind. No, it’s more than that. Like entering into the whirl of raw freedom and capturing wildness itself.” 

A band of wild horses usually consists of a harem of mares and colts and a dashing, spirited stallion. The

dominant mare leads the band, but always aware of the stallion’s commands. They can make a rapid exodus in an orderly, single-file manner with the aid of the mare. However, there’s a sad fact. If one of the mare’s foals becomes separated from her during a chase, the mare rarely returns. The foal’s left to wander and fend for itself.

An adventurous Indian in the Old West days would gallop into a wild horse herd, lariat coiled over the arm, ready to cast it over the neck. Then he vaulted off his own pony and chased the captive, letting out rope as slowly as possible until the mustang dropped to the ground. 

He would hobble the forelegs and tie a thong around the lower jaw. After loosening the lariat, the mustang could rise to its feet to buck, rear, and plunge. But the hobble and thong kept it under control. When the horse stilled, the Indian edged forward hand over hand along the rope until he could touch and stroke the horse. About three hours later, when the captive seemed subdued and resigned to its fate, the animal could be led or ridden back to camp.

Another Method involved control of the newly caught mustang with a thin thong around its muzzle. When jerked, it exerted hard pressure on the nose. The Indian soothed the frightened horse with grunts deep in the chest while he tried to place a blanket on the pony. If the horse protested, he jerked the thong. After a while, he determined the right moment to rest his weight on the pony’s back and swing a leg to mount.

Like the warning goes, don’t try this on your own. Novices getting near wild horses is not recommended. Especially if the stallion of the group whistles with a sharp, loud blowing breath through nostrils, a neigh like a distress call. Or cocks his ears, swishes his tail, and twitches his lips and nose. When every nerve’s taut and alert, his head held high, and tail arched like a pluming banner, stay away. He’s liable to explode, to lunge with gnashing teeth and lightning hooves. He’ll kick like fury with powerful, muscled hind legs.
  
On the other hand, they can whip away and vanish in an instant if they sniff a scent they don’t like.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Reba’s attention roved to the wall above the table. “You’ve hung up some new pictures.” She ran a finger around a black and white framed photo of a young man naked to the waist who raced bareback in a herd of wild horses. In another the same male stood barefoot on top two horses, one hand raised, one held the reins. “Is this you?”
The old man swelled his chest and shoulders. “Yes.”
(From Wind in the Wires)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Janet Chester Bly
with sons: Aaron, Mike, & Russ

Janet Chester Bly is the widow of award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Together they authored and co-authored 120 books, both fiction and nonfiction for adults and kids. She and her three sons finished Stephen's last novel, Stuart Brannon's Final Shot, a Selah Award Finalist. 
Janet’s first solo adult novel, Wind in the Wires, Book 1, Trails of Reba Cahill, will be released in November in paperback, eBook, and audio edition. It’s a contemporary western mystery, a road adventure with a touch of romance. 

Stuart Brannon's Final Shot