Owner Sought DNA Testing for Taxidermied Horse
Florida resident Mitzi Lukowski has turned to genetic testing to identify a horse specimen with unverified history.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Equestrian
Live Poll
Would you pay a premium for a historical item that lacks verified documentation?
Mitzi Lukowski, who currently owns a taxidermied horse in Florida, is pursuing DNA testing to uncover its origins. Rumors have linked the specimen to historical figures including Theodore Roosevelt and Buffalo Bill.
Why it matters
The lack of documentary provenance for the horse has sparked debate over its legitimacy as a historic artifact. DNA analysis is expected to clarify whether the horse has connections to the Spanish-American War or famous Wild West shows.
The specimen features a hide stretched over a wooden framework and was purchased in New York five or six years ago. The owner previously attempted to sell the horse for $3,500.
The players
Mitzi Lukowski
She is the owner of the taxidermied horse currently held in Florida.
Buffalo Bill Museum
This Wyoming-based institution maintains records regarding Buffalo Bill and his historic Wild West show.
The details
Lukowski has enlisted online citizen sleuths to assist in identifying the horse, which is currently split into two pieces. A curator at the Buffalo Bill Museum in Wyoming noted that the institution holds no records regarding any preserved Wild West horses.
Timeline
Lukowski purchased the horse five to six years ago in New York.
The owner attempted to sell the specimen in Wisconsin last week.
Season Trajectory
Comparing the specimen against the Buffalo Bill Museum collections provides a benchmark for evaluating historical equine artifacts. The museum's lack of records for the horse contradicts the owner's rumors of a connection to the Wild West show.
The unsuccessful $3,500 sale attempt in Wisconsin indicates that without verified provenance, the specimen holds little commercial value to collectors. Future DNA results will determine if the item holds historical significance or remains a decorative oddity.
The takeaway
Verifying the history of unique artifacts often requires scientific intervention when documentation is absent. Collectors should approach unverified historical claims with skepticism until DNA or expert analysis provides conclusive evidence.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of history and horse preservation, explore our Equestrian section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cowboy State Daily.
Live Poll
Would you pay a premium for a historical item that lacks verified documentation?
