Department of Conservation (DOC) Operations Manager Dave Lumley says re-homing of as many horses as possible is an important part of a successful muster.
"Ideally all horses would be adopted, as was the case in 2018 and 2019, however we know it's a real challenge for the groups to find so many suitable homes."
The number of horses to be removed was confirmed late February after the annual aerial survey. "With the herd in such good condition the reproduction rate is up at around 25% per year" Mr Lumley says.
The population has risen to nearly double the recommended number with no muster held in 2020 due to Covid 19.
"A herd greater than 300 not only impacts on the fragile environment and the condition of the horses but also increases the risk of horse migration towards SH1/the Desert Road and the related public safety concerns."
All mustered horses that are fit for travel on a truck will be re-homed, but any horses deemed medically unfit by a vet, will be euthanised under vet supervision.
The Department of Conservation would like to acknowledge the continued commitment and effort of the two re-homing groups Kaimanawa Heritage Horses and Kaimanawa Wild Horse Preservation Society in finding suitable homes for these horses.
The muster is now held on an annual basis. This allows DOC to manage the herd at the sustainable level of 300 horses within the Waiouru Military Training Area, as recommended by the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Advisory Group (KWHAG).
This number allows for the horses in the herd to maintain best condition and protects the fragile ecosystems, unique to the Moawhango Ecological Zone.
The unique tussock grassland where the horses roam contains threatened plants, including at least 16 species in the New Zealand Threat Classification System, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.
Many of these plants occur in habitats that can sustain very little disturbance from horses.
Apply for rehoming
Contact the following for information and applications on rehoming a Kaimanawa wild horse.
Kaimanawa Heritage Horses Welfare Society
Kaimanawa Heritage Horses Welfare Society website
