American Mustangs: The Wild Horses of the Old West | Full Documentary

They are symbols of America. The mustangs, the Native Americans' horses in the films I watched as a child. As I observe them moving about the vast open spaces of Western America, I'm struck by the perfect harmony between animal and nature. This part of the United States is mythical in the history of the country and in film. It's the famous Far West, with its red desert landscapes and mountains carved by erosion, out of which we expect to see an Indian or a gold digger emerge. I come to the United States on a regular basis, in the state of Wyoming, to see these free wild horses who live on vast lands kept unspoiled by any human activity. This is the horse's favorite area, with grassland and flowers as far as the eye can see, and forests that serve as natural shelters. In the middle of this breathtaking scenery, rivers flow, supplied by snow thaw and frequent rain. The area of Wyoming is equivalent to half of France. The region is a real Western backdrop, where horses seem to have the leading role. Yet nothing predestined them to live here. How did they arrive here in the middle of Western America? I've chosen to take you on a trip to the land of the mustangs, the horses that have crossed centuries and that are a part of America's history. Many people think that they were always here, but that isn't the case. Man brought them to this land. There are over 50,000 horses living free throughout all the American soil. Around 3,000 in Wyoming. Among them, the mustang is the ultimate symbol of power and freedom. Renowned for being untamable, it created a legend. Every time it's like a game of hide and seek between them and I. I look for them among the vast Wyoming scenery which is their territory. Plains covered in salvia in the high mountains, scattered with woods and prairies. I must travel kilometers to hope to catch sight of them. Today I don't see any in the plains. I know I must go higher up. They are probably in the rocky folds of the mountain. I've identified some of their favorite spots. Horses are very wary of men approaching and I hope I won't chase them away. The gray horse that gives a signal to flee is a stallion who protects his family. He must have seen or smelled me and keeps a close eye on my slightest move. For several years now I've come to see them and I'm starting to know their behavior better. Mustangs live in bands. Several bands together make a herd. A herd can count up to 130 horses. These athletes develop a capacity to flee at the slightest danger and their herd instinct incites them to stick together. The young horses, the adolescents, set off to explore the territory. These aren't more than two or three years old and don't have any responsibilities yet. They're free to play and wander around. But adolescence does not last forever and the young mustangs must all think about starting a family. A family is made up of one stallion and around four or five mothers. The stallion here is the one who brings up the rear. The horses don't have many predators here except for jackals and coyotes so they can reproduce peacefully. They live in harmony with other species such as these American antelope. One afternoon I watch an astonishing and rare show, a family feud. A mother and her foal are galloping accompanied by a black horse, a stallion. But this one isn't the father. The father's right behind. He's the gray horse. His family is being stolen from him and he isn't ready to give up his mare and foal. The fight will last several minutes during which I fear for the foal who gallops against his mother for protection. In this kind of battle, a stallion can kill a foal. The gray stallion will do anything not to lose his mare. More horses get involved and the cavalcade continues. Suddenly, exhausted by the battle they've delivered, the mare, the thieving stallion and the father calm down and return to the band. Although this was impressive to see, this event was inconsequential for the herd's cohesion. Family life is quiet and restful most of the time. But let's not judge by appearances. When some sleep, the others are on the lookout and the exhausted foals make the most of this moment to lie down. Antelopes also stroll about as a family. Not far from a prairie dog burrow. Horses cannot be disassociated from the history of the conquest of the West. This was a time when men took possession of new American lands. Families lived here with their horses. This mine is a vestige of that period. It has been abandoned for over 100 years. When it was operational, it was a gold mine. It reminds me of a film setting. And I imagine seeing cowboys on horses leap into the frame. But instead of a cavalcade, I am met by silence. In the mines, like everywhere in the Far West, horses were crucial to colonizers' survival. They used them to move about, draw a plow or a stagecoach and hunt. But this was before the first automobiles arrived. A great many of these horses were released into the wild where another adventure would begin for them. The return to wildlife. Mustangs are the heirs of that story. In this abundant nature, horses, who are herbivores, have all of the conditions necessary to their survival. They can live freely here. They found their paradise. The number of mustangs is constantly growing. Herds keep on getting larger. This year, the grass is plentiful. The horses are well fed and their shiny coats mean they are in good health. But during droughts and harsh winters, even the most robust are affected. Rivers snake through the mountains all over Wyoming. Water is necessary to horses, but also to men and cattle. Mustangs are fascinating because they took part in the conquest of the West. But what's even more incredible is to imagine these plains without horses. Yet this was the case for thousands of years. Let's take a look back and go to Spain. To Andalusia, precisely. To the home of a horse that became American over time, but who was from Europe originally. As we found out only fairly recently. This foal, born in Andalusia, is a distant cousin of the mustangs. Among his ancestors, some were part of an amazing adventure. One which, in 1519, took the Spanish to conquer the American continent. It started with the colonization of Mexico. About 15 horses were on this first trip to the New World. Others would follow to help men in their conquest. Seeing this stallion, we can imagine the first strong impression these Spanish horses made on the local population, who had never seen such an animal. The horses left by boat for a journey of several weeks in difficult conditions. To be closer to the new continent, a farm was created in Hispaniola, which is the Dominican Republic today. From there, the horses were taken on to the American land, where they would reproduce. A great adventure began, the conquest of the New World. As they trod on American soil, the horses would embark on a new destiny. But this transplantation was not harmless, and the first to arrive would die. Luckily, the small Spanish horses, resulting from crossbreeding with North African barb horses, were very resistant. In a few generations, they adapted to their environment, and a new life began. This is the east of Mexico, a region which the conquistadors and their horses set foot on. Life in this hacienda focuses on horses. This is Hacienda Tenechac. It's hard to believe that before the Spanish arrived, Native Americans had never seen horses. The Spanish would make the most of the surprise effect to subject the local population. At first, the Native Americans were convinced that horses were magical creatures. The Spanish made them believe that the mouth bit was to stop horses from biting human beings. The trick would not last long. Everything at Hacienda Tenechac is authentic and kept in the tradition of the past. They breed horses to work on the farm and mainly to herd cattle. During the morning ritual, the horses wait patiently for the groom's hand. This is what I find fascinating with horses. Their ability to create contact with man, accepting his presence, his orders, and sometimes his friendship. In Mexico today, some still break horses according to Spanish tradition. Alzan, a beautiful chestnut mare, has just arrived at Hacienda Tenechac. She's two years old. Like her distant ancestors, she'll be trained to become a vaquero horse, the Mexican equivalent of the cowboy. She's still a wildling. With flared nostrils, she explores her new territory and calls out to her fellow horses. All her senses are on the lookout, hearing, sight, smell. She's searching for the others, worried. It's the first time she's been separated from her family. I've heard about Geronimo a lot as a great horse breaker, but Alzan ignores him. His hand reassures Alzan, whose skin is so sensitive that she feels a fly landing. If this was the conquistador's day, Alzan wouldn't be handled so gently. Geronimo's helper, Nicola, carries the saddle. Aged 15, he intends to become a vaquero. Horse training methods have changed over five centuries, but the horses are the same, fearful and attached to their freedom. Each breaking in is a new story. Alzan's begins today. Soon the young mare will be saddled. Then begins a preparation that's as patient as it is precise. Geronimo first simulates the girth, so as to get her used to it. End of the lesson. He lets the mare go to congratulate her. Faustino, Nicola's uncle, has been a vaquero at the Hacienda for many years. Like any horse rider, I'm impressed by the beautiful tack. This saddle was designed for work on the ranch. The wide pommel is used to firmly tie the lasso on, which has caught the bull. This is dangerous work to which no horse is prepared. Geronimo and Nicola are ready for a new step of breaking in. The horse uses her nose to assess the danger. Geronimo lets her sniff the tack to get familiar with it. She smells it, until convinced that it's harmless. Geronimo takes his time. Even for an experienced horse breaker, placing a saddle on a horse's back for the first time is a delicate moment. The girth mustn't be too tight at this stage of training. This means it might shift. This would be a very serious incident that could scar the horse for life. Geronimo lets her explore the feeling and express herself. A crucial moment is near. The one where rider and horse will become one. To become a real vaquero horse, Alzan must learn to overcome her fear of other animals and get familiar with the most bad-tempered of them, the bulls. These are animals she will then mix with for the rest of her life. But all horses are not capable of overcoming this ordeal. For her first encounter, she's accompanied by two experienced horses and led by Geronimo and Faustino. Alzan makes a good job out of it. If she had lived 500 years ago, Alzan's training would have been far less gradual. The most obstinate were left to fend for themselves in hostile wilderness. Perhaps future mustangs, vagrant horses rejected by men. These photos remind us that in Mexico, horses are a part of history. No one could live without them today. But the story of New World horses doesn't stop in Mexico. When men set off to conquer the northern American continent, they took horses with them once again. These horses of European origin would travel for several years helping man to explore new lands. It would take them over a century of travel to reach the place where I found them today in the state of Wyoming. How does a horse who is set free in the wild live every day without the help of man? Horses carefully choose the grass they eat. They don't eat just any type of grass, not only for taste reasons, but above all to avoid poisoning. Horses have the specificity of not being able to vomit. If they ingest a toxic plant, their chances of dying are high. Horses learn to distinguish plants from a young age by imitation. But if their favorite grasses become scarce, they venture towards new ones. Horses find everything they need here, like the mineral salts in the soil which they lick sometimes. When you know that these horses travel 20 kilometers or so a day to find food and drink, you understand why they need to dispose of a wide living space. Making it smaller would put their lives at risk. Since the early 1970s, wild horses are protected by an American law so that they are no longer killed when there are too many of them. At each of my trips to the United States, my American friends tell me that the herds comprise more horses every year. This isn't necessarily good for the natural balance. But how to control an animal population without threatening its survival? How to preserve the mythical horse of Western America? Facing the overpopulation of mustangs on their land, American states like Wyoming manage their herds in a systematic way. They catch them and sort through them. One part of the horses is released in the wild, and the other is sent to what they call sanctuaries. Horses are kept there and fed by men. All of the American states where mustangs live have also developed an adoption program for these horses. That is how my friend Claude managed to adopt several mustangs. Claude ensures these horses have the comfort of several hundreds of hectares of prairies. They make the most of this opportunity. I know these horses well as I ride them every time I come to Wyoming. Although familiar with men, they remain true mustangs. Still, I'm fascinated by their attachment to human beings Experiencing this here is always magical. Although he may be glad to see us, Honcho likes to remind us that he's a free horse. He's my favorite. When the horses return to the corral, they haven't been ridden for several months. Before saddling Honcho, I make sure he hasn't forgotten the basic principles. Every year a little revision is needed. A horse's training is a long-term endeavor, a work of patience. Ask often, be content of little, reward always. This saying guides the thoughts of many horsemen. I like the contact with Honcho. A playful horse, but with an attentive character. It's crucial to teach the horse to keep a certain distance from men. Personal space. Those are the ground rules for a balanced relationship between man and animal. I make sure he's available for my requests. The fact that he accepts to lower his head is a sign of abandonment, of relaxation. A sign that he trusts me. Honcho seems to be as impatient as I am to go for a walk. Just as in Mexico, the horses in North America were intended for ranch work. Claude and I leave with his neighbors Kathy and Steve to make sure their herd of cows has enough to eat. Otherwise we'll have to move them to another pasture. I love these moments of perfect harmony with animals. There are no useless words or shouts. Everything happens to the pace of the horse's steps. For centuries, horned cattle constituted the basic food of colonizers. Imported at the same time as horses, they gradually replaced bison, decimated for their skins. It's thanks to cattle that horses have such a major role in Western culture. They're the only way to gather the massive herds to bring them back to the ranch or move them to different pastures. The American cowboy appeared in the 19th century. He became a legendary character thanks to Hollywood films. I go back a hundred years in time. A child's dream. Honcho, the former wild horse, is not afraid of cows. He soon realized that he was the one making them move, that he was the game master here. This herd counts 800 cows spread out over 1,200 hectares. Without horses, it wouldn't be possible to take them to another pasture. After his day of work, Honcho naturally heads for the pond to refresh himself and relax. We follow him. Eating fresh grass while rolling in the water after a good day's walk is a luxury that Honcho loves. It's very trusting of him to bathe peacefully like this in the middle of the wilderness under men's gazes. Here, with us, nothing seems to worry him. Honcho the mustang is a great example of a horse who is both an ally for man and an animal that has managed to keep his instinct, pride, and freedom. Allowing him back on this land is well-deserved. Others than Claude also contribute to this. Roxanne has Native American origins. She works on the ranch she owns with her family in Wyoming. As with many natives, horses are a part of her life. Discovering horses at the end of the 16th century was a revolution for the Native Americans. They would use them for hunting, war, and transport. Since then, they have become a part of them, of their culture. No one will contest this. Their know-how is on a par with their passion. The Native Americans loved multicolored horses. To get some, they crossbred them and created new species. In the wild, however, piebalds are rare. Dark coats remain the dominant colors in mustangs. In Roxanne's family, there are several generations of horse riders. Hayley, her daughter, chose a gray horse that she trains with for reining competitions, inspired from ranch work. She's proud to show us. But the vast majority of horses here still serve to keep herds of cows. Roxanne has recently adopted a young mustang mare. It's the first wild horse to join this ranch. If this one turns out to be apt for work, she will adopt more. I am privileged to be the first to test her skills. The mare is four years old and has already carried a rider on her back. She has just arrived and hasn't yet been named. This mare has the typical mustang profile, between 1.40m and 1.60m high, rarely more. She has a small head and a short neck. One mustn't be fooled by her apparent frailty. These are robust animals with sturdy feet. I quickly realized that she understands all commands, and that she isn't afraid of man. I can reassure Roxanne her docile character will make training her easier. Spencer, Roxanne's husband, suggests putting the saddle on her back. Everything seems to be going well so far. We are prized to see her strong reaction, although it is a natural one. Like most horses in the early stages of learning, the mare tries to get rid of the saddle by all means. But the speed with which the mare calms herself down reassures us all. With Spencer on her back, she is very cooperative. I am impressed by how easily the couple evolves after just a few moments. We all think she will be an excellent mount. She is a good recruit for the ranch. By giving her a home here, Roxanne hopes to contribute to the protection of mustangs. Since the ancestors of mustangs left Europe five centuries ago and disembarked on the American continent, man and horse have sealed their destiny to conquer vast open spaces. Going back to them in Wyoming, in the new world, is always moving. We're lucky to rub shoulders with them, and riding them is a privilege which I truly relish. What does the former wild horse keep in his jeans from his distant Spanish cousins? Who could contest his right to run free here on this land that his ancestors helped to conquer? From Spain to the Caribbean, from the Caribbean to Mexico, and from Mexico to North America, they always successfully adapted to new environments, to new human demands, with disconcerting ease. Today mustangs have no masters, but this magnificent freedom isn't forever. American mustangs are protected by laws. Voices are raised around the world when a project threatens them. But this isn't enough to ensure permanent protection. Introducing an animal to a territory is a responsibility that man must take on. Mustangs won't go back to Europe. They've made America their land. It is our role to work at their protection The best chance for these mustangs would be to find a role among men again. Thanks to the possibility of adoption, horse enthusiasts have understood this. This is the case for my friends Claude and Roxanne, who use them happily as working and leisure horses. But what about the others? Off I go on one last ride with Honcho. But I hope this won't be the final one. Towards which fate do these horses now gallop? No one knows for sure.