Kiger Mustangs In The Movies

Kiger Mustangs In The Movies

The upcoming Dreamworks film Spirit: Horse of the Cameron’ is an animated classic in the making. Capturing the free spirit of wild horses as well as the magic of the horse human connection, this film is sure to be a hit across the globe. The model horse for the film is a Kiger Mustang named ‘Donner of Steens Mountain’ Donner’s sire was rounded up by the BLM from the Steens Mountain area HMA in central Oregon in 1987 as a weanling and he quickly became a well mannered riding partner and proven stallion. Donner, born in 1995, was purchased by Dreamworks specifically for becoming a star! He was the model horse for the character ‘Spirit’ who is the lead role in the new film.

Kigers are no strangers to media attention, but the film will no doubt help introduce them to a larger audience. They have been featured in many horse magazines including Horse Illustrated, Western Horseman and The Conquistador and have been seen on television specials such as PBS and the Discovery Channel. Zeus (Copyright Desert Madeira 2002)

A wealth of Spanish heritage combined with rich American history, the Kiger Mustang is making its mark in the competitive equestrian world as well. Strong hooves, short coupled bodies, striking colorations and a cunning intellect are only a few of their attributes. These fabulous horses excel on the endurance course as well as in cutting & reining and are being trained in everything from dressage to gymkhana. Utilizing critical selection of athletic ability, keen mind, gait, and gentle temperament these horses are developing an impeccable foundation.

Kiger owners, breeders & lovers are pretty excited about the additional recognition the breed (as well as all mustangs) will receive. However, we are leery of the common problems that can occur when an animal of any species is popularized. This problem can be especially troublesome when the species or breed is fairly rare, such as the Kiger. Many behaviors (human, of course) that were once minuscule exceptions can become breed destroying commonalties. These problems generally involve irresponsible breeding and indiscriminate sales in which breeders & buyers alike fail to evaluate the specific interests or needs of the animal being sold. So please, if you are interested in purchasing a Kiger, contact your local Kiger organization first. And most importantly, be sure that you and your family have the time, energy, interest and finances to care for the horse properly. The initial investment is only a fraction of the cost of owning and caring for a horse.

There are some mustang specific things to keep in mind before making the choice to buy a Kiger or any type of Mustang. There are many qualities that make the Kiger stand out as an exceptional purchase due to their decades of domestication and intentional breeding management. Many mustang owners claim that once you love a mustang no other horse will do! And their reasons abound! The horses’ devotion, their keen intellect, the unique bond between owner and horse, the tendency for lower vet & farrier bills, and their tendency to be easy keepers are only a few. However, their flight responses can be stronger and their instincts are closer to the surface than with breeds who have been protected by man for centuries.

The high intelligence of a mustang breed is mandatory for survival in the wild and when in captivity it is usually equally keen and sharp. It is best to utilize this intellect for serious equestrian activities and it is unwise to leave them rotting in the paddock as a yard ornament. Like a gifted child, their wit can make for trouble if left to come up with their own entertainment. Oddly enough, most Kiger stallions are known for their gentle, easy to handle temperaments and win hearts at every turn. The belief that mustangs are harder to train than your typical domestic breed is quite incorrect, however, there are differences and those differences should not be ignored. Be sure you have the ability and interest to understand and work with these differences before buying any mustang.

What is a Kiger Mustang?

A registered Kiger Mustang is a horse that comes from or traces directly back to one of two management areas in central Oregon. These horses have been closely managed by the BLM for several decades. There has been much care given to ensure that the quality of these wild herds has increased through their BLM management. The first Kiger adoption was in 1987 and their popularity has grown exponentially since then. Extensive DNA & blood testing research has been performed on the Kigers which verifies their high number of genetic Spanish markers. They have been evaluated by Spanish horse lovers and experts and found to be one of the most strongly Spanish influenced herds in North America.

Most Kigers carry the dun factor’s primitive markings of leg barring and a dorsal stripe as well as shoulder markings, black tipped ears and face masking or cob webbing. Their most prominent colors are copper dun, red dun, grulla and claybank.

What is a Spanish Kiger?

A Spanish Kiger is a cross bred horse requiring half traceable Kiger Mustang bloodlines and infused with an approved Spanish horse of historic domestication such as an Andalusian or Paso registered in the SKHA approved stallion list. Combining the characteristics that nature forces into perpetuation such as cunning and soundness with the centuries of human influence found in the pure Spanish horses, Spanish Kiger owners enjoy the best of both worlds. Infusing strictly chosen Spanish blood with these unique mustangs further develops what the early herds possessed. So far the outcomes have been tremendous animals with great talent.

TOUCH THE SPIRIT of a KIGER!!!

Zeus of Steens Mountain, your Local Kiger Stallion

as well as other local Kigers will be available to meet you and your family on Saturday, June 15th & Sunday, June 16th in North Phoenix! Desert Madeira Equus presents this special event and you are invited to touch the spirit that inspired the movie

Spirit; Stallion of the Cimarron.

Come join us and meet a living legend!!! For more info, Contact Desert Madeira Equus @ 623-465-8998 or email us @ desertmadeira@yahoo.com or gwen@spanishkiger.com

Zeus of Steens Mountain is nephew to Donner (aka Spirit), the star for the Dreamworks film Spirit; Stallion of the Cimarron. Zeus exhibits every quality one could ask for in a Kiger. Keen mind, hardy immune system, strong hooves, short coupled body, excellent leg bone density, majestic profile, long, flowing bi-colored mane and tail, etc.. But the most adored quality this stallion has to offer is a temperament of strength, affection and kindness. He has already shown strong leadership skills and a courtship demeanor that will win all the ladies’ hearts. If you’re considering breeding your mare to a Kiger or just want to meet him, please come join us. Come out and meet our favorite living legend.

Zeus of Steens Mountain

Touch the Spirit

of a Kiger Stallion!

Come meet Zeus of Steens Mountain ñ a living legend!

Saturday, June 15th in North Phoenix.

For details, desertmadeira@yahoo.com or call 623-465-8998 for directions & info.

Here are a few more. Catalina is a domestically bred, pure Kiger mare; Mesteno, the primary wild foundation sire of the herds; and Azure a Kiger mare and her filly Lazuli running around.

Attached photos are, Zeus of Steens Mountain running and Wild Kigers on the HMA in Oregon (copyright Desert Madeira Equus 2001) and this should act as written permission to print them in the June issue of Bridle and Bit. I'm sending a couple more in a separate email to follow.