Dead Horse Point is a promontory the extends from a vast plateau; it overlooks a river canyon about 1500 feet below. The point, which is actually several acres in size, is connected to the plateau by a narrow stretch of land. "Narrow" means just wide enough for a 2-lane road with a few yards of extra space on each side. In the late 1800's cowboys built a fence and gate across this narrow stretch and then drove herds of wild horses out onto the point. Then they closed the gate and picked out the best horses for their own use and led them away.

After they had culled out the best horses the cowboys left the gate open, thinking the remaining horses would simply wander back to the plateau. But the horses never left the point, and they died of thirst in plain view of the river below.