The huge, breathtakingly realistic bronze sculpture of nine wild mustangs galloping across a granite stream, popularly known as the Mustangs of Las Colinas, and serving as the centrepiece of Williams Square Plaza in Las Colinas, Texas, is considered as one of the largest equestrian sculptures in the world. Created by the reputed African wildlife artist Robert Glen to capture the free spirit embodied in the heritage of Texas, the magnificent sculpture was installed in 1984, adjacent to the Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum, which displays the details of eight years of work of the artist for creating the sculpture, along with a short film, showing the process of designing, moulding, and mounting of the larger-than-life composition.

Since its installation, the outstanding sculpture, dedicated to the free-spirited people of Texas, and depicting the strong and spirited mustangs, standing 56 inches to 60 inches tall, and weighing around 360 kilograms, galloping across a granite stream, created by small fountains strategically placed beneath the horses’ hooves, has become a top attraction of North Texas, attracting the visitors and residents alike. While it is considered as the iconic symbol of Texas, the plaza setting for the sculpture won a National Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1985. However, the scale of the surrounding structures debarred the sculpture dominating the space, as the buildings around the square rise 358 feet (109 m) on the north and 217 feet (66 m) on the east and west sides, with the south side open to O'Connor Boulevard.

It all started in 1976, when Ben H. Carpenter, developer of Las Colinas, commissioned the reputed wildlife artist Robert Glen to create a large signature piece of sculpture for the decoration of the newly renovated Williams Square Plaza. However, no subject seemed more appropriate to him other than the wild mustangs that once roamed across his land, and the talent of the artist is superbly reflected in his wonderful creation, the Mustangs of Las Colinas, which took him eight years to complete and work on three Continents, namely Europe, Africa and the States.

At first, the research for the authentic Andalusian Horse was done in Spain, where evidence was found that some of the horses taken by the Spanish invaders to Texas and Mexico in the 17th century, went wild and came to be known as the Mustangs. The initial models for this sculpture were made in the studio of Glen in Nairobi, Africa, which were cast in a foundry in Basingstoke, England and finally, were flown to Dallas, Texas, for installation.

The complete work, the Mustangs of Las Colinas, featuring a herd of nine bronze mustangs, consisting of five mares, two stallions, and two colts in a variety of positions and motions, appearing to be snorting, through flared nostrils while galloping through a creek in Williams Square Plaza, was installed and unveiled on 25 September 1984, as a tribute to the heritage of Texas. The sculpture has become internationally famous for its untamed beauty that creates a sense of freedom, and welcomes thousands of admirers every year.