The Department of Conservation (DOC) has issued an urgent appeal for horse lovers to provide homes for more than 250 Kaimanawa wild horses set to be mustered from the Waiouru Military Training area in late April.
According to DOC's latest aerial survey, the current horse population stands at 679, more than double the sustainable herd size of 300—the agreed limit to maintain both horse health and protect the fragile ecosystems of the Moawhango Ecological Zone.
Sarah Tunnicliffe, DOC Senior Biodiversity Ranger based in Turangi, explained to Lake FM the risks of allowing the population to grow unchecked.
"The more horses there are, the more breeding that occurs and then the higher number of foals—it increases exponentially," Tunnicliffe said. "There is also the issue of the pressure on those fragile environments in the northern part of the army land."
A Storied Heritage
The Kaimanawa horses have been present in the area since the 1870s, developing into a distinctive breed with a rich history. Tunnicliffe described how they came to inhabit the region: "They were released from farms, gathered for farms, released after the war, gathered for mustering, all those kinds of things. So there's a long history of horses on the ranges down there, and they've become quite particular in their type and breed."
Over the years, these wild horses have garnered significant public interest, partly because they can occasionally be spotted from State Highway 1 along the Desert Road. The Kaimanawa Heritage Horse Society and other horse welfare groups have played a crucial role in raising awareness about these unique animals.
Location and Habitat
While commonly associated with the Southern Kaimanawa Ranges, Tunnicliffe clarified a common misconception about where these horses actually live.
"They are geographically in the Southern Kaimanawa Ranges. It is part of the mountain range, but it is the very altered landscape of the Defence Force lands," she explained. "You won't bump into them in the bush in the Southern Kaimanawa. You have to be on the Defence Force land."
For those hoping to catch a glimpse of these wild horses, Tunnicliffe noted, "As soon as you see that sign that says Kaimanawa Horses, then you potentially could see them if you had very good eyesight and knew where you were kind of looking."
Population Management
When horse numbers have grown too high in the past—reaching 1,700-1,800 animals—it significantly impacted the health of the herd.
"You get bigger parasite burdens... just a whole lot of other issues with them if those numbers get too high," Tunnicliffe explained. "Plus it's logistically difficult to muster bigger numbers as well."
The annual muster is conducted via helicopter, gathering the horses from their family groups on the range into specialised yards. "The bands of horses are basically out on the range in their family groups, and they bring those in with helicopters into a set of what other people would consider a big set of cattle yards, but it's a bit higher and more suited for the horses," Tunnicliffe said.
Innovative Management Approaches
In recent years, DOC has introduced new approaches to managing the population. In 2022, they began a contraception trial for mares, marking the first time in many years that some mustered horses were released back onto the range.
"We have started a contraception trial for the mares," Tunnicliffe said. "So currently it's rehomed or released back onto the range as contraceptive mares."
This supporting method takes a few years to take effect, making rehoming still the primary tool for herd management. Over the past 11 years, all mustered horses deemed fit have been successfully rehomed.
Requirements for Potential Homes
Prospective owners need to meet specific requirements to provide a suitable home for these wild horses. The Kaimanawa Heritage Horse Society assesses applicants to ensure they can provide appropriate care.
"They come and assess your home for suitability. It would have to have a decent set of cattle yards, good fences, and other horses around. They don't want them going to places where there's no other stock," Tunnicliffe explained. "These are herd animals. They're quite different to your little nag that you see in the paddock around town."
New owners don't necessarily need extensive horse experience themselves, as long as they have access to proper support. "If not experienced, then there are trainers available that will get them to the handling stage for you. But again, that comes at a cost and you still have to go through the process of applying," Tunnicliffe added.
Urgent Need for Applicants
The Kaimanawa Heritage Horses (KHH) organisation, which coordinates the rehoming process, reports they have not received enough applications for this year's muster. KHH chair Carolyn Haigh stressed the urgency as the April 14 application deadline approaches.
"The muster is our opportunity to balance the continued health of the heritage herd with the protection of rare plants and ecosystems which make New Zealand special," says Tunnicliffe. "It's a win-win, but is reliant on Kaimanawa Heritage Horses getting enough applications for rehoming."
Those interested in providing a home can contact KHH at muster@kaimanawaheritagehorses.org or visit www.kaimanawaheritagehorses.org/muster-information before the April 14 deadline.
