By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

LEBANON, Ohio — One can find just about any breed of horse in the tri-state region. But if looking for Kiger mustangs, be prepared to gas up the van and head out West.

Bill Smith of Lebanon, Ohio, loves horses but has a passion for the Kiger mustang, a rare, smart and expensive horse of Spanish descent. This breed is commonplace in Oregon.

“The Kiger are very rare, especially east of the Mississippi,” Smith said. “They were first discovered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in 1977 in southeast Oregon. They immediately knew they had found something very special and unique.

“DNA testing proved they truly are descendants of the horses the Spanish brought here, and they have been running wild in Oregon for more than 500 years.”

The Kiger mustangs, an established breed, are thought to be one of the purest herds of Spanish mustangs existing in the wild today. While the average viewer may not recognize the difference between Kigers and other wild horses, these equines are virtually purebred descendants of the Spanish Barb horses which appeared in the 1600s.

Kiger mustangs exhibit “dun factor” coloring, some which includes “zebra stripes” on the knees and hocks, chest, rib and armbands and cob-webbing or “face masks,” as well as the build and physical characteristics of the Tarpan and oriental hotblood horses. All in Smith’s corral are duns.

Spanish markers were found in their blood during genetic testing by the University of Kentucky. They carry the dominant genes which code for the primitive dun factor coloration and markings.
The BLM gathers the Kigers every four years and brings them to the corrals in Burns, Ore. There, they give the horses all their shots, worm and freeze-brand them and turn the best ones back into the wild to keep the herd going. The remaining animals are made available to the public for adoption.

“They’re expensive only because they’re rare,” Smith said. “People who know them know they’re intelligent and easy to work with. You can oftentimes purchase one at these BLM sales for as low as $125, but normally they fetch between $2,500 and $5,000.

“Kigers that aren’t sold go to a permanent holding facility in Nebraska. At this facility, they’ll tend to about 20,000 horses, 24/7.”

The Kiger mustang is slightly smaller than most breeds. The ears are finely pointed and slightly hooked at the tip. The head displays a broad, flat forehead, wide, prominent eyes and fine muzzle.
The body conformation of the Kiger is distinctive, with chest of good depth and width, and the back short, broad and well muscled. Dense bone, compact hooves and a well-crested neck round out this unique horse.

According to Smith, Kigers are often used as trail horses, barrel riding, dressage and more. He prefers to trail ride the dozen on his farm.

“I keep my horses two to three years and get them into the right hands of the right people,” he said. “Once these horses are gentled, they are amazing. They absolutely love people.

“I tell other people they are the border collies of the horse world. They are constantly in your face asking, ‘What do you want to do, what do you want to do?’ You have to like that, or they’ll drive you nuts.”

Smith keeps a few on his Warren County farm to ride and enjoy and he always has a few good prospects to sell.

“We ride our Kigers on trails throughout the Midwest, plus I try to take a special trip every year,” he said. “Last year we took them to Gettysburg and rode them on the battlefields. I am certain that was the first time Kigers had ever seen Gettysburg, and visa versa.
“This summer I hope to head south and ride Big South Fork in Tennessee, and hopefully Biltmore Estates in North Carolina. But no matter where we take them, they do create quite a stir. I can’t go anywhere but what other horsemen coming up to me and asking, ‘What in the world are you riding?’”

Fortunately for wild horse enthusiasts, Kiger mustangs are being bred in captivity. There are now several breeders who, using stock which traces back directly to the Kiger herd, are producing horses which are similar in looks and genetics to the Spanish mustangs which explorers and Conquistadors brought to North America centuries ago.

Modern breeders strive to preserve the genetic authenticity, color, build, intelligence and temperament of the historic Spanish mustang. These hardy, durable horses held up well for early explorers who faced a whole range of hardships, from blistering heat to extreme cold, to scarcity of food and water. They make a durable and versatile horse for the modern rider as well.

This farm news was published in the April 23, 2008 issue of the Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.