Spirit: The Mustang Behind the Movie

Although captive-born in Oregon, Spirit is a real-life Kiger mustang. There are several types of mustangs but tests indicate that Kiger Mustangs are related to the horses brought to America by the Spanish Conquistadors some 500 years ago and are believed to be the purebred descendents of the Spanish Barb horses. The word "mustang" is derived from the Spanish word meaning "ownerless or stray horse". Most Kigers are of dun coloration with a dorsal stripe and zebra stripes on their legs, however, Spirit is a buckskin color.

Upon completion of the movie, Spirit was entrusted to the Return to Freedom sanctuary in California and will live out his life roaming their large pastures with other horses. Return to Freedom assists in rescue projects and provides permanent sanctuary where wild horses live naturally in herd groups. Spirit and his friends realize the dream of freedom - grazing prairies and plains, and thundering through mountains and canyons.

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