LOCATION
The Cerbat Herd Area (HA) for wild horses is located in northwestern Arizona, five miles north of Kingman. East of US Highway 93 toward Las Vegas, Nevada, Cerbat runs west of Stockton Hill Road. The historic mining town of Chloride, Arizona, sits at the western base of the HA.

SIZE
The Cerbat HA consists of 83,000 acres of Arizona Interior Chaparral-Grassland and Grand Canyon Desert Shrub vegetation communities. The major physical feature of the HA is the Cerbat Mountains, with its associated peaks, ridges, and canyons. The mountains are oriented in a general northwest to southeast direction and are flanked by Sacramento Valley to the west and Hualapai Valley to the east. At an elevation of 6,983 feet, Cherum Peak is the dominate landmark within the HA, and is also the heart of the wild horse use area. The climate is generally warm, dry, and windy. Because the HA varies in elevation, from 3,400 feet to 6,900 feet, temperatures and precipitation also vary. Temperatures can exceed 105 degrees in the summer and drop to zero degrees in the winter.

HISTORY
The Cerbat HA is one of only two HA's in Arizona that contains wild horses. There are several popular beliefs on the origins of this herd. One theory is that the Cerbats are descendants of Spanish mustangs introduced as early as the 1500s. A second theory is that these horses escaped from early 1700s' explorers, and another belief is that they were abandoned by livestock ranchers in the early 1800s. Though the horses do typically show some sign of Spanish descent, their exact origin remains a matter of speculation. Regardless of the origination, this herd existed in the area prior to 1971, and is now protected by law.

POPULATION
About 70 wild horses roam the Cerbat HA today. The population is relatively stable and recruitment is fairly low. It is believed that the high density of mountain lions within the HA account for the low recruitment and stable population. Body size of a Cerbat horse is typically small, with an average body weight ranging between 750-800 pounds and a height of 14 to 16 hands. The horses are predominately bays, with a high occurrence of roans including reds, strawberry and blue roans. Other colors include greys, blacks, sorrels and duns.

MANAGEMENT
The horses are managed as living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West. As of yet, an Appropriate Management Level has not been determined for the Cerbat wild horses. With a relatively stable population, removals have not been necessary and the habitat has maintained a good range condition. At times, animals may have to be removed due to drought conditions, or if they have become a nuisance and have to be removed from privately owned land. When this occurs, the horse is wormed, vaccinated against equine diseases, freeze branded and offered to the public through BLM's Adopt-a-Wild Horse or Burro Program.

OFFICE CONTACT
For more information on the Cerbat Herd Area, contact the Kingman Field Office at 2755 Mission Boulevard, Kingman, AZ 86401-3629 or call (928) 718-3700.

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