How Many Kaimanawa Horses Are There Now?
Kaimanawa Wild Horses have been mustered from their regular habitat by the New Zealand Department of Conservation since 1993 where they are then either trucked directly to slaughter houses, to holding farms for later slaughter or given to “agents” to place in domestic homes. Some of these “agents” are legitimate welfare organisations such as ourselves while others are of dubious credentials with differing reports as to the welfare of the horses’ in their care. It was originally agreed by the Department of Conservation to complete official checks on potential new homes. They have unfortunately failed in this task and many horses have fallen into incapable or negligent hands. Meanwhile, herd numbers in the wild are now being maintained as musters are undertaken annually to ensure the herd population limit of 500 horses. The Kaimanawa Wild Horse Advisory Group and the Department Of Conservation will continue to evaluate the minimum number of horses required for a viable herd (currently co
