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Taking an unrefined wild Mustang and mixing its blood with the Arabian was an
interesting idea that Michele Brown of Utah did in the
early 1990s. The result, called the Abstang, is a highly spirited animal willing
to do whatever you ask of him, as long as he trusts you.
Brown and a number of other people have been crossing adopted wild Mustangs
and Arabians for several years, and Brown founded the International Abstang
Registry and Association in 1993 in an effort to gain acknowledgement for the
new breed. Brown states the Abstang is an unmatchable trail horse, with
endurance gleaned from the Arabian and incredible fearlessness inherited from
the Mustang. "You can ride them for a very long time," she says. "They are
especially great in the mountains, and are very surefooted." She also says that
both Abstangs and wild horses are known for their tendency to 'always take the
most direct route.'
There are 1,500 horses registered in the IARA. Some are being shown in open
shows in many different classes, and they make excellent jumpers. The
association doesn't have any year-end awards yet, or specific breed shows, so
the Abstang owners are limited to open competition.
All the registered Abstangs are the result of Mustang/Arabian crosses. There
are no Abstang to Abstang matings as yet, and there seem to be little interest
in creating any.
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