Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Wild horse muster in April

20 March, 2018

Wild horse muster in April


Horses being mustered by helicopter in 2016. Photo by Kimber Brown KHH

Up to 300 Kaimanawa wild horses may need to be removed this April from the Waiouru Military Training Area (WMTA) during the muster. As many as possible will be homed but all horses not adopted will be destroyed.

The muster is held every two years by the Department of Conservation to manage the herd at the sustainable level of 300 horses within the WMTA as recommended by the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Advisory Group. This number allows for horses in the herd to maintain best condition, and protects the fragile ecosystems unique to the Moawhango Ecological zone.

The re-homing of as many horses as possible is an important part of a successful muster says DOC Operations Manager Dave Lumley.

“Ideally all horses would be adopted, as was the case for the 100 horses mustered in 2016, however we know it’s a real challenge for the groups to find so many suitable homes.”

Dedicated not-for-profit group Kaimanawa Heritage Horses has taken on the task of finding new homes for the wild horses, and will be working hard over the next month taking applications and vetting potential homes.

Kaimanawa Heritage Horses only has applications for 56 horses to date and is hoping the many other applications promised, will come to fruition. “With only two weeks left until applications close, there’s not a lot of time for interested parties to deliberate. It’s a real concern that some people may simply run out of time, resulting in potentially homed horses being trucked to the abattoir”, says KHH Muster Coordinator, Simone Frewin.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Kaimanawa horses are gaining favour among the equestrian community as highly competitive sport horses. They’re the perfect option for those who can’t afford to purchase a $25,000 purpose bred pony but want a chance to be competitive in that class of competition. Since numbers were reduced to 300 individuals in the wild herd, the condition of the horses and their final mature height, has improved immeasurably. “The fact that we’re seeing more Kaimanawa ‘horses’ now rather than just ponies means they’re more suited to a wider variety of riders. It’s devastating to think that many of these horses just won’t have a chance”, says Simone.

The number of horses to be removed was confirmed last week after the annual aerial survey. “With the herd in such good condition the reproduction rate is up at around 30% per year” says Lumley “the population has risen to nearly double the recommended number. 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.”

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.


-Ends-


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.