There is something about the west that strikes everyone—the vast landscape, untamed plains, ancient Indian camps, and wild horses and burros. While all of these aspects have captivated the hearts of Americans for decades, mustangs are widely renowned for their beauty, strong family ties, and the freedom they greatly cherish. But when we dig deeper, a question may arise, “Why do we really have wild horses and burros?” When Hernan Cortez came to the new world in 1519 1 , he brought with him gorgeous Spanish horses. Their descendants are what we now know today as the American Mustang. Burros were later transported to America in the 1500’s 2 on another Spanish boat. As the years went by, they began to be used by the Native Americans, and later by cowboys exploring the west. These hardy animals were prized for their strength and intelligence. It was then, as the west became settled, that the wild horses and burros became known as the western i...