Started By
Message

re: On a similar vein to the La. Black Bear, anyone ever seen wild horses in Louisiana?

Posted on 6/17/26 at 12:33 pm to
Posted by Clyde Tipton
Planet Earth
Member since Dec 2007
40834 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 12:33 pm to
Small side note. The horses on Ft. Polk and Kisatchie share some DNA with some rare/possibly extinct breed of horse from Spain.

Meaning they are descendants of the original horses bought to the Americas by Spanish explorers. Similar to the story of longhorn cattle.
Posted by 777Tiger
Member since Mar 2011
93135 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 12:34 pm to
quote:

Meaning they are descendants of the original horses bought to the Americas by Spanish explorers. Similar to the story of longhorn cattle.


do they neigh with a Spanish accent?

afaf
Posted by touchdownjeebus
Member since Sep 2010
26677 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 12:34 pm to
They are all over fort Polk.
Posted by Clyde Tipton
Planet Earth
Member since Dec 2007
40834 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 12:48 pm to
quote:

do they neigh with a Spanish accent?


Si.

quote:

Copilot Search Branding

Like

Dislike
Fort Polk (Kisatchie) Horses and Their Spanish DNA Background
The Fort Polk Kisatchie horses — also known as the Kisatchie, Peason Ridge, or “trespass horses” — are a small, wild herd living in the Kisatchie National Forest of Louisiana. They are not Mustangs but are believed to have originated from Spanish Colonial-era horses brought to the region during the 1700s HORSE NATION.

Spanish and Colonial Origins
Genetic and historical research suggests these horses descend from Spanish Barbs and other Spanish-derived breeds, possibly including North African Barb crosses that were prized in Europe for their intelligence, natural carriage, and hardiness HORSE NATION. These horses were highly valued in Colonial Spain and later in Louisiana before the Louisiana Purchase.

Genetic Uniqueness
Ongoing DNA analysis by the Pegasus Equine Guardian Association and experts like Dr. Gus Cothran of Texas A&M has shown that the Kisatchie horses carry markers consistent with the rare Colonial Spanish horse type, which is considered globally rare Facebook+1. This genetic diversity is seen as vital for health and adaptability.

Conservation Status
Because of their centuries-long presence and unique genetic profile, the Kisatchie horses are considered a “high priority to conserve” Facebook+1. They represent a living piece of North American equine history and may hold clues to the ancestry of the original horses in the continent.

Threats and Efforts
The U.S. Army, which occupied the area as Fort Polk (later Fort Johnson), has at times promoted their removal. Between 2018 and 2020, over 360 horses were removed under an Environmental Assessment HORSE NATION. Conservation groups are working to protect the remaining herd and raise awareness of their scientific and cultural significance.

In summary: The Fort Polk Kisatchie horses have a strong Spanish Colonial heritage, with DNA linking them to rare Spanish-Barb lineages. Their survival is critical for preserving a globally unique genetic resource and a piece of Louisiana’s and North America’s equine history
Posted by Salmon
I helped draft the email
Member since Feb 2008
86414 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 12:52 pm to
Yes, the wild horses are somewhat common around Kisatchie and Ft Polk.

We had a lease bordering Ft Polk for a few years and the horses were a massive nuisance.

If you think hogs will destroy a food plot, let some horses get on it.

Posted by Oilfieldbiology
Member since Nov 2016
42439 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 12:56 pm to
I have. They keep dragging me away
Posted by choupiquesushi
yaton rouge
Member since Jun 2006
35306 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 12:59 pm to
Yep at ft Polk , point aux chenes and YEARS ago there were some at the mouth of South Pass - western side. Early to mid 80s
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
61528 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:01 pm to
quote:

Yes I saw the Kisatchie horses a few months ago when I was last in the area. Right next to 165 in Woodworth
they have become more and more visible there, see them regularly.


The herd there are some stubby things, the ones over in west La are tall and look more like regular ol horses
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
17196 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:02 pm to
quote:

Saw them in Kisatchie when I was hiking the Wild Azalea Trail.


Same. Was pretty cool.
Posted by diat150
Louisiana
Member since Jun 2005
47947 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:02 pm to
Here are the ones by point aux schenes



Posted by choupiquesushi
yaton rouge
Member since Jun 2006
35306 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:05 pm to
quote:

I also saw road runner and what I believe was a cougar at Ft Polk.


Road runners are in Sw La in growing numbers…….


Never heard of cougars there but there was that tiger….

LINK

Posted by Champagne
Sabine Free State.
Member since Oct 2007
55520 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:07 pm to
I hate the wild horses over here. They are a nuisance. Always blocking my tactical trails. I can't shoot them because i don't have live ammo. But if I did I would.
Posted by clamdip
Rocky Mountain High
Member since Sep 2004
21766 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:13 pm to
Seen the ones around Woodworth plenty of times. I don't know if they're related to the ones around Ft Polk, though.
Posted by White Bear
Homeless
Member since Jul 2014
17751 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:21 pm to
quote:

do they neigh with a Spanish accent?
the good news is “whoa” and “kik kik” are universal hoss language
Posted by Mung
Ba’on Rooj
Member since Aug 2007
9337 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:35 pm to
I’ve seen feral horses while on the Wild Azalea Trail in Kisatchie. Not sure I would call them wild, since someone just turned them loose in the woods.
Posted by junior
baton rouge
Member since Mar 2005
2674 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:44 pm to
I've heard a veterinarian say they weren't wild- but ferral- People dumped old horses there. People try to claim they are wild- like mustangs so they get federal protection.

The reason he knew this was that he was getting paid to dart them w birth control. Fort Polk soldiers were getting hurt hitting them during night parachuting exercises. Despite the fact it would be easier and far cheaper to let the soldiers cull the heard, they didn't want to rile up the animal rights activists.
Posted by Donkus
Shreveport
Member since Feb 2013
1592 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 2:14 pm to
Since 2002, I've seen wild horses probably at least 6 times on the side of Hwy 117 between Bellwood and Kurthwood in Kisatchie.
Posted by BayouFann
CenLa
Member since Jun 2012
7205 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 2:17 pm to
Woodworth
Posted by CCT
LA
Member since Dec 2006
6998 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 2:29 pm to
Used to be a few around Ashland plantation off Hwy 30. No idea if they’re still there or not since Shell bought the the property.
Posted by Barbellthor
Columbia
Member since Aug 2015
11352 posts
Posted on 6/17/26 at 2:59 pm to
Every barrel horse I ever rode and my mom ever owned was wild.
first pageprev pagePage 2 of 3Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram