Fact: Species Equus is Native to the North American Continent
Proof: The Hagerman Horse of Idaho
Visit: Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in Hagerman Idaho
Support: Wild Love Preserve
The iconic wild mustang is pure Americana, symbolizing unbridled freedom, power, determination, and the Wild West. Our wildness resonates deep within and is essential to our whole, we would be amiss without it. Project Wild Love Preserve's preservation of this American icon speaks to our greater good and collective well-being by way of bridging divides and bringing stakeholders together in a new light.
Located in Central Idaho, the Challis Herd Management Area (HMA) is home to numerous bands of the Challis Wild Horse Herd. This unique expanse of multi-use public land encompasses 154,150 acres of high desert wilderness rich in native wildlife and habitat, outdoor recreation and connection, as well as grazing allotments for livestock. While there exists a mixed array of wild horse bloodlines and regional history, our universal evolution reveals that the North American continent is the original birthplace of equus, meaning wild horses a native species. Most notable being the Hagerman Horse of Idaho.
The Hagerman Horse is a North American species of equid from the Pliocene and Pleistocene periods, first appearing 3.5 million years ago. Hagerman fossils, discovered in 1928 by an Idaho rancher, resulting on 20 complete skeletons which can be found in museums across the country, and represent the oldest widely-accepted remains of the genus Equus. The Hagerman Horse is also recognized as the State Fossil of Idaho. Prior to the extinction of North American horses 10,000 years ago, many wild horses had drifted across the Bering Land Bridge to Eurasia, proving advantageous for man. The horse’s return to indigenous soil came with European explorers by sea. The horse has been instrumental in humankind’s survival and development, and we owe great respect, gratitude and debt to Horse.
Read on: Native Fact and The Hagerman Horse
Visit the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in Hagerman, Idaho to experience and learn more about this spectacular and unique history in person.
Photos from the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in Hagerman, Idaho