Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Range

Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Range is a protected area spanning Montana and Wyoming with landscapes ranging from desert basins to mountain meadows at different elevations. The terrain encompasses diverse habitats that support a stable population of free-roaming horses throughout the year.

This refuge was established in 1968 as the first dedicated sanctuary for free-roaming Spanish Barb horses in the United States. The creation of this protected land represented a major turning point in preserving this historical breed.

The horses carry visible traits from their Spanish colonial ancestry that you can observe during a visit. These animals represent a living link to the early days of European settlement in North America.

The area is accessible from three entrance points in Montana and Wyoming, giving visitors multiple options for entry. Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are essential as the land features rough conditions and varying elevations.

These horses display distinctive physical markers of their Spanish heritage, including dorsal stripes and striped legs that are uncommon in modern mustang populations. These visible traits make the herd recognizable and serve as a living record of their genetic past.