What is a Sulphur Horse?
We invite you to meet the Sulphur horse, also known as "Utah's zebra horse". Sulphurs are a type of American Mustang and North America's best kept secret! A rare breed currently listed on the rare breeds conservancy list, these horses are considered a North American/Iberian warmblood horses. The American Mustang was derived from Iberian stock brought over In the 16th century by the Spanish. What makes the Sulphur horses so unique is that High in South West Utah's Mountain Home Range a herd of Spanish horses has survived with relatively little outside influence. They are believed to be one of the purest herds of Spanish horses left in America, and time capsule of the horses ridden by conquistadors and later refined by the California Vaqueros.
The old Spanish trail ran from Los Angeles, California to Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was here that Spanish horses were often traded for goods. In 1840, the largest horse heist in American history took place. Chief Walkara and Peg-leg Smith led a raid of southern California's missions and Rancheros for their most prized horses. More than 3,000 of these horses were driven into Utah. It is from them that the Sulphur herd is thought to have originated.
Sulphurs stand between 13.3 and 15.1 with an average of 14.2 hands. Many exhibit strong primitive markings found in the zebra striping of their legs and a dorsal stripe known as "dun factor". They have many features of the Spanish type, including a flat forehead, fine muzzle, tipped in ears, triangular shaped eyes, deep chest, short back, and a D-shaped hip, which gives them smooth movement and a roll back to die for.
Hundreds of years surviving in some of the West's harshest environment has forged a horse with legs of steel, a wonderful mind, amazing stamina, and rock solid hooves. It is these characteristics, along with the Sulphur's incredible beauty and smooth gaits that are winning the hearts of those that come into contact with this breed."
Recent research from Dr. Gus Cothran has discovered that the Sulphur Horse population carries more ancient Spanish blood than any other horse population in North America.
You can read more about these horses here:
https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/colonial-spanish-horse/
Our goal is to promote these horses in the public to help bring them back from an endangered horse breed and help riders to enjoy these wonderful special horses that have been a long kept secret.