Arizona's WildLife

Wild horses in Arizona are feral descendants of domesticated horses that have adapted to life in the wild. They are most often found in open meadows, forested clearings, and riparian valleys where food and water are available. Living in family groups called bands, each herd is usually led by a stallion and includes mares, foals, and younger horses. These animals rely on grasses, shrubs, and seasonal plants for forage and depend on rivers, streams, or natural springs for water. Social, alert, and highly mobile, wild horses are frequently observed grazing in groups or moving quietly through ponderosa pine forests and grasslands. Though not native to Arizona, they have become an iconic part of its natural landscape and are valued as a living symbol of resilience and the untamed spirit of the American West.