In Brule, Nebraska, lives Cindy Torres, a name synonymous with the preservation of Spanish Mustangs, particularly the rare and captivating Medicine Hat variety. For over five decades, Cindy has dedicated her life to these remarkable horses, becoming a respected authority and passionate advocate for their unique qualities and rich history. Join us as Adam delves into a conversation with Cindy, exploring her personal experiences, insights into the challenges facing Spanish Mustangs, and her unwavering commitment to keeping their legacy alive.
Adam: Cindy, let’s start at the beginning. What got you into Spanish Mustangs originally?
Cindy: I read a book by Hope Ryden called America’s Last Wild Horses. There was a chapter in it about the Brislawns and San Domingo, the old stallion in the Pryor Mountains. That chapter really sparked my interest.
Adam: How long after reading that book did it take for you to go see the horses in person?
Cindy: Oh, I’d say about six months. The book mentioned Oshoto, Wyoming, and at first, I thought it was really far away. But when I looked it up, I realized it was only about 130 miles from me. That’s when I decided I needed to go see those horses.
Adam: Who was the first Spanish Mustang you met?
Cindy: She was a red roan mare named Cayuba, a daughter of Majuba A. I ended up buying her on that trip.
Adam: Did you get to see San Domingo on that visit?
Cindy: No, not then. He had already been moved to Bill Valentine’s place in North Dakota. But later on, we made the trip up there to see him.
Adam: Who would you say is your favorite Spanish Mustang of all time?
Cindy: That would be Domingo’s Medicine Queen. She was out of Cheyenne Sam Domingo. I rode her for about 20 years. She was the best saddle horse I’ve ever had—so smooth and quiet. She just floated over the ground.
Adam: Did you ever get injured riding horses?
Cindy: No, thankfully not. But I wasn’t a trainer, so I didn’t ride horses that were likely to buck or act up.
Adam: Did your family train horses?
Cindy: Yes, my son trained horses when we lived in South Dakota, and my daughter Jodie helped as well.
Adam: What do you think are the biggest challenges facing Spanish Mustangs today?
Cindy: A lot of people don’t understand how good these horses are. It’s hard to get people interested because they often confuse them with BLM horses. The BLM is a big obstacle—people assume these are $25 wild horses from the BLM and don’t realize their unique qualities.
Adam: How are Spanish Mustangs different from modern breeds?
Cindy: They’re incredibly smart and sure-footed. Their leg structure is better—they don’t get navicular disease or ringbone as often as other breeds. They’re built to last and rarely go lame unless they get injured.
Adam: Do you think the original breeders did a good job preserving these horses?
Cindy: Yes, absolutely. They were very selective and kept the breed pure.
Adam: What advice would you give to new mustangers or people interested in preserving Spanish Mustangs?
Cindy: Realize that you have a very special horse. Stay true to them—don’t mix them with other breeds thinking you’ll improve them. These horses are exceptional as they are; they don’t need changing.
Adam: You mentioned earlier that you went to North Dakota to see San Domingo during his last breeding year. Can you tell me more about that?
Cindy: Yes, we bred three mares to him that year. Kim Kingsley got a Medicine Hat foal from one of those mares, and I got a buckskin mare who later had a Medicine Hat colt named Chief Santo Domingo. That colt is what got me started with Medicine Hats.
Adam: Cindy, how long have you been involved with Spanish Mustangs?
Cindy: Since 1970—that’s over 50 years now! Not many people were working with these horses back then.
Adam: That’s incredible! Do you feel like interest in these horses has changed over time?
Cindy: It has. The 1990s felt like a heyday—people were really enthusiastic then. Now it’s harder to keep interest alive, but those who are involved today seem more serious and dedicated than ever before.
Adam: Cindy, this has been such an insightful conversation. Is there anything else you’d like to add or share?
Cindy: Just that these horses are truly special—they’re different from any other breed out there. You have to train them differently, but once they bond with you, they’re incredibly loyal and dependable.
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