Please note: as of 25 May 2025, new AIHR memberships, new horse registrations and transfers are temporarily suspended, but will resume soon.
AIHR — the American Indian Horse Registry — was established in 1961 for the purpose of collecting, recording and preserving the pedigrees of American Indian Horses. The Registry is currently housed near Lockhart, Texas together with a collection of Western and Indian Americana and a library pertaining to the history of the American Indian Horse.
In Loving Memory…
Nanci with Rhett.
October 1938 ~ May 2025
Nanci Falley was a friend and ally to all animals the world over, but horses always held a special place in her heart. As a young child, her father made her a deal that if she paid for the feed, she could have a horse – and she worked hard to make sure she never went back on that deal, including putting herself through vocational training to make sure she always had a way to take care of her horses and other animals.
The Spanish Mustang, also known as the Colonial Spanish Horse, was a breed Nanci worked hard to protect and conserve throughout her life. Becoming frustrated with other registries, the politics, and their way of doing business she purchased The American Indian Horse Registry and brought it to Texas in the late 1970s. From her home on Rancho San Francisco, where Nanci raised and rescued any animal in need of a home or even just temporary care, Nanci reopened AIHR to focus on the preservation of the “O” Original Indian Horse (the straight bred Colonial Spanish Horse) and its descendants, while also creating a world-wide community of humans that is family friendly without drama or politics.
On May 28th, 2025, Heaven called back this angel on Earth and Nanci Falley left us to be reunited with her friends, family, and fur and hooved friends that had gone on before her. She is deeply missed and loved by everyone who knew her, including her animals.
Services are still TBD.
“Blessings” by Nanci Falley
The American Indian Horse has many names…
This is Barney (Born To Run, AIHR O-1928) with artist Liz Austin and her grandson Javon in the Native American costume class at the 2014 AIHR National in Marshall, TX.
Call him cow pony or buffalo horse; mustang or Indian pony; cayuse or Spanish Colonial — basically they are all the same animal. Virtually every color known to the horse appears in this breed; he is sometimes appaloosa spotted, sometimes paint and sometimes solid colored with every 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. You might have an Indian Horse in your backyard. We hope you’ll use our website to learn more about the five classifications of horse registration within AIHR.
Membership is open to any owner of an American Indian Horse and to any person interested in the American Indian Horse. Members receive The American Indian Horse News, issued quarterly, and qualify for lower registration rates. They are also eligible for the various awards programs sponsored by AIHR.
Be sure to read through our Spotlight series for individual stories about these unique horses and the people who love them!