2001 marks the 40th anniversary of the American Indian Horse Registry, and as we look back at those 40 years - what a fantastic ride it has been!

AIHR was started in 1961 in California with the stated purpose of preserving and promoting those horses descended from the mounts brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors and colonists, and acquired by the various nomadic Native American tribes. This purpose of preservation has remained with the Registry during its move to Arizona in 1968, and ultimately to Rancho San Francisco near Lockhart, Texas, in 1979, where it remains today. At the time of the move AIHR had approximately 500 horses registered; today there are 3,500 names in the AIHR studbook. AIHR recognizes five classifications of registration. The Class O (Original) for the purebred "Mustang" or "Indian Horse" is for horses that are not bred to conform to popular current standards, but to preserve original bloodlines of Native American Indian tribes. Class O horses registered since 1979 have bloodlines that trace back to various American Indian tribes and families. (Most horses registered with the SMR, SSMA, SBBA as well as other "Mustang" registries, qualify for O classification). Class AA (1/2 O) for the Half bred are at least half O in breeding or are of exceptional O type. BLM horses may qualify for AA classification. To be inspected and to qualify as AA on inspection, horses must be at least 4 years of age. Class A horses are horses with unknown bloodlines, but who are Indian Horse type. Most BLM horses qualify for A registration as well as many so-called "grade" or "backyard" horses. Class A horses are eligible to be inspected at age 4 or over and may be passed to Class AA. Class M horses include breeding of modern type. They may have parents registered with the AQHA, ApHC, APHA, APA, etc. Such ancestry will be shown on the registration certificate. Class P is for ponies of Indian Horse type. Eligible ponies include those with Galiceno, POA, etc. in their pedigrees. Ponies of unknown ancestry may also qualify. No horse or pony exhibiting draft horse breeding will be registered with AIRH.

Virtually every color known to the horse appears in this breed; he is sometimes appaloosa spotted, sometimes paint and sometimes solid colored with very variation imaginable occurring. He is well made, has excellent feet and legs and has as much savvy as any horse that ever lived. Height ranges from 13 to 16 hands; weight 700 to 1000 pounds with a few individuals over or under.

The first AIHR club formed was the Tejas Indian Horse Club is Marshall, Texas, which came into being in 1981. With their interest in promoting the Indian Horse, the Tejas Indian Horse Club held the first National American Indian Horse show near Marshall, at the Woodlawn Arena in June of 1982. There were approximately 30 horses shown at halter, color, performance, speed events (based on Native American games) and a costume class featuring riders and horses dressed in Native American regalia and frontier period costumes. It was a one-day show. From this beginning, the AIHR National Show continued on an annual basis to be held in or near Marshall, and was expanded to a two-day show in 1991. In 1993, the rains came to such an extent that the show had to be moved to a covered arena in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 1995, the show moved back to Texas, and is now held in Corsicana, at the Navarro County Exposition Center. It is co-sponsored by AIHR, the Tejas Indian Horse Club and the NETASA Indian Horse Club, which is based in the Canton/Mabank, Texas area. The show has grown to include horses and rider from several states and has become as much reunion as show for these people who all love the tough and fiery little horses. One of the most unique aspects of the show are its unique awards presented to the winners - ribbons in pastel Southwestern colors from turquoise to silver, and awards symbolic of the Native American horse culture such as beadwork, gourd rattles, horse dance sticks, Navajo-style blankets, feathered mane & tail dangles, victory ribbons - most of which are handmade by AIHR members from all over the United States. Registry awards are also presented at the show - the AIHR Hall of Fame (which requires 200 points in various fields of horse endeavors), Supreme Hall of Fame (1000 points), Counting Coup (100 points), Hours and Miles awards (from 100 to 1000 miles/hours). Points, hours and miles are accumulated by participation in AIHR's Horseback Awards Program that is designed to that members may earn awards whether they show, ride the trails or stay at home with their horses. Many AIHR members on their Indian Horses participate in competitive (NATRC) and endurance (AERC) trail rides where they compete very favorably. Trail riding and endurance are the Indian Horse's trademark, as is ranch work - just about anything a person can do with or on a horse can be done on the American Indian Horse.

The Indian Horse's loyalty is legend as is their toughness and intelligence and anyone who is fortunate enough to share their loves with one knows how truly special they are. For more information on the American Indian Horse and its registry, contact AIHR, 9028 State Park Road, Lockhart, TX 78644-4310, phone 512-398-6642.