Help Save New Zealand's Kaimanawa Heritage Horses

170 Kaimanawa Horses are scheduled to be culled in Bi-annual DoC Muster and new homes are urgently required for these horses.

In late May, over 170 wild Kaimanawa horses will be mustered out of the Kaimanawa Ranges (New Zealand) as part of the area’s ecological management strategy. Kaimanawa Heritage Horses (KHH) is urging applications now from people interested in taking a horse or horses from the Department of Conservation muster.

“The next muster will not be held until mid-2014, so anyone who wants to take on a wild Kaimanawa should act now,” said KHH Spokesperson Mr Elder Jenks. “This coming muster is the only chance people will have in the next two years to take a Kaimanawa horse straight from the wild.”

“Once handled, Kaimanawa wild horses have exceptional temperaments and are delightful ponies to interact with. They're flourishing in Pony Clubs around New Zealand as great all-rounder’s and are highly sought after as jumpers, eventers and games ponies.”

This year, a Kaimanawa horse, Watch Me Move, won the “Pony of the Year” award in the show jumping at New Zealand’s most prestigious equine show “Horse of the Year Show”.
Prospective Kaimanawa owners need to contact Kaimanawa Heritage Horses urgently, as applications to take a wild horse close on 15 May.
The cost for taking a Kaimanawa from this year’s muster has been set at $250.00 for the first horse and $220 for subsequent horses. Mare and foal combinations are $400. This cost includes; processing of applications including referee checks, home inspection and transport from the muster site to a central distribution point, membership and registration of the horse with KHH. A gelding rebate of $75.00 is also available to new owners who take colts.
Mr Jenks noted that new Kaimanawa owners have access to a strong support network and should feel free to contact KHH if they have any questions about the horses or the application process. Those who would like to take a wild Kaimanawa but would prefer it to receive basic handling before coming to their property can arrange to have horses delivered direct to their handler.

KHH is a registered charity and welcomes donations from those who want to help save Kaimanawa horses but are unable to take a horse themselves. All donations go towards helping saving these living historical treasures and are tax deductable.

“I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for people to contact us immediately if they want take a Kaimanawa from this year’s muster,” says Mr. Jenks. “As always, those horses that can’t be rehomed will be slaughtered and that is a tragic and unnecessary end for animals that are unique part of New Zealand’s heritage.”

Further information and application forms for muster horses are available on the KHH website www.KaimanawaHeritageHorses.org

CONTACTS:
Elder Jenks
Spokesperson, Kaimanawa Heritage Horses
P/F: 09 236 4115
E: info@KaimanawaHeritageHorses
 

Simone Frewin
KHH Muster Co-coordinator
P: 09 431 6111
E: muster@KaimanawaHeritageHorses.org