Wild horses have roamed free in the American West from the days when Spanish explorers brought them on their expeditions to the New World. Although not officially classified as wildlife, they are absolutely wild and protected by law since 1971.

The mustangs shown in this gallery live in the high desert approximately 150 miles from my home in Central Utah. The area is public land and administered by the BLM. The wild horses share the land with local wildlife, range cattle in the summer months, and the occasional camper or desert hunter. The arid nature of the land proved undesirable to early settlers and only marginally useful as grazing land for ranchers. It is flat except for steep hills or mountains that rise abruptly from the valleys. There are very few sources of water, the wildlife and mustangs rely on springs in the higher elevations for water. Most of the mountain springs will dry up in the late summer and animals will be forced to drink at the only year-round natural waterhole. Other waterholes have been built to support the water needs of grazing cattle in the summer. The water in these man-made drinking ponds is piped in from distant springs. Forage is very scarce for ranging cattle and wild horses. The wild horses are able to eat rougher types of vegetation and have learned to graze in different areas based on the season. High wind-blown ridges are good places to feed in the winter, with grass being uncovered by the ever-present wind. The mustangs will paw away several inches of snow to nibble at food in the winter. With all water sources frozen, the horses must eat snow to hydrate.

Do not confuse these photos with others you may have seen that were taken at wild horse "sanctuaries". These horses are totally wild; not fed, fenced or otherwise cared for by man. Pictures shown here have been taken over the past twelve years, in all seasons and conditions.
All of the photos in this gallery were shot using a long 500mm lens and are a true representation of their lives in the desert.

During the last two years I have been shooting video of the mustangs in all seasons. With enough high quality footage to produce a 30 minute documentary about their struggle to survive in the desert. It will have the same look as the images in this gallery and will be fun to see. I just have to get it edited and finished.