The presence of the Cerbat mustangs in Arizona goes back hundreds of years, predating white settlement in the area. These graceful horses, who have lived in near-complete isolation, are some of the purest descendents of the Spanish horses brought to North America in the 1500s. The Cerbats live in an inhospitable landscape of peaks, ridges, and canyons, dominated by desert scrub and chaparral, with temperatures ranging from zero degrees in winter to over 105 degrees in the summer and altitudes up to 7000 feet. This tough environment has caused these mustangs, like many others, to develop exceptional agility, endurance, and survival instincts. They display a very uniform conformation, as well as unique blood types, which contribute to their high value for conservation.

Due to drought conditions in the 1970s, some horses were killed or taken from the area to preserve forage for range cattle. Despite such setbacks, a small number has persevered in the Cerbat Herd Area. The BLM estimates that about 60 Cerbats survive in the wild today.

How the Cerbat Herd arrived at Return to Freedom
Ambrassador Amante (Fiery Lover), Return to Freedom’s representative from this particular strain of mustangs, was born free in the Cerbat Mountains. After wandering off his range in search of mares, he was captured and held in a government corral for three years before arriving at Return to Freedom in 2003. Amante is a handsome example of this rare strain of American wildlife. Upon recommendation from Dr. Sponenberg, advisor to the Sanctuary, Amante has been paired with some Sulphur Springs mares, who are closest to the Cerbat phenotype, to give him back a natural herd environment and to encourage the continuation of his line.