The Mustang, noted for it’s “cow-sense,” agility, alertness and hardiness, usually weighs between 750 and 1000 pounds and stands between 13 to 15 hands. The narrow ears and bright, inquisitive eyes give the impression of high intelligence.

Choctaw ponies and other breeds of Mustang horses have a narrow chest, which V’s up well, sloping shoulders and strong legs. The hooves are of a harder texture than domestic horses and may never need shod, even though the land they run free on is very rough and rocky.

Many times, the mane and tail reach almost to the ground. 

There are no horses more colorful than the Mustangs. It is not uncommon for a Mustang to have a light overlay mane over a dark mane or a dark overlay over a light colored mane. 

The Spanish Mustangs date back to the horses brought to America by Spanish conquistadors in the 1500’s.

There are several strains of Choctaw ponies in Oklahoma. Gilbert Jones brought about 25 Mustangs to Medicine Spring Ranch 29 years ago. Now he has about 100 of the horses, some of which are pure-bred Choctaw.

Another feature at the ranch are the mule-foot, wattled Indian hogs that run wild on the property. Mr. Jones has one large sow so tame that she comes up to his back door for supper.

Two Choctaw men from Kosoma, Oklahoma, Abb and Hoots Crisp, have what are considered the purest Choctaw ponies around today. Their family’s stock dates back to about 1915, when their uncle, Frank Poe, bought a mare and a stallion that were Choctaw.

A fine example of the Crisp Strain of Choctaw ponies is Choctaw Star, who in 1983, was the first Mustang on the North American Continent to earn the 1000 Mile Horse Award in NATRC. She finished 1000 competitive miles with legs as clean and sound as when she started, with no blemishes or unsoundness.