The Onaqui Mountain wild horses are not only a testament to the natural beauty of Utah but also a vital part of the state’s cultural heritage. Their presence evokes a sense of connection to the pioneering spirit of the American West. They gracefully traverse the sagebrush-covered plains and ascend the rocky slopes, creating a mesmerizing sight against the backdrop of the vast desert and snow-capped peaks.
A chance encounter with the Wild Spanish Mustangs along the North Carolina coast is a truly magical experience. As they graze on top of the dunes and walk along the beach, they embody the untamed spirit of the Outer Banks. Visitors to this rugged and untamed coast are treated to the sight of these graceful creatures against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, creating a scene straight out of a storybook.
ONAQUI MOUNTAIN WILD HORSES
In the heart of Utah’s stunning landscape lies a symbol of freedom and heritage: the Onaqui Mountain wild horses. These wild horses live on a 205,394 acre Herd Management Area, overseen by the BLM, on the west desert, about 60 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, in Tooele County. One of the more accessible wild horse herds in America, they can often be spotted along the historic Pony Express Trail as they move from one remote area to another.
For me the Onaqui Mountain wild horses stand out as a symbol of untamed beauty and enduring freedom. Roaming freely across the remote terrains of the Great Basin desert in western Utah, these magnificent creatures capture the essence of wildness and the spirit of the American West.
They are monitored and documented for education and scientific purposes by volunteers at the Onaqui Catalogue Foundation. Observers and fans give them names.
WILD SPANISH MUSTANGS OF NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a picturesque stretch of coastline where sun, sand, and sea meet, is not just a haven for beach lovers and sun-seekers. Amidst the dunes and grassy shores, a living testament to history and nature’s grace exists: the Wild Spanish Mustangs. They have roamed freely on several of the barrier islands for over 500 years.
Believed to be descendants of Spanish Mustangs shipwrecked along the treacherous shores during the early colonial period, these horses have adapted to the harsh coastal environment with remarkable resilience. Due to their isolation, their linage has remained pure, unlike wild horses in any other part of the country. Modern DNA tests have confirmed the Banker Horses, as they are known locally, "are as lineally pure to the 16th century Spanish importations as can be found in North America today".
Unlike our wild horses in the west, North Carolina's wild horses are managed and protected by State government agencies in conjunction with various volunteer groups like the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. They are humanely managed using birth control and have had no need for roundups for many years.