Kaimanawa Heritage Horses founding member Kelly Wilson says the government’s decision to fund three musters this year represents the largest financial commitment it has ever made to the wild horse programme.
“Considering just six weeks ago the government looked like they were pulling all funding and no musters were happening, it’s been a massive turnaround,” says Wilson.
“We’ve gone from it being in a dire situation a couple years from now to potentially the best it’s ever been.”
Wilson says the Kaimanawa herd is managed at 300 to 400 horses to protect both the horses’ health and the fragile flora and fauna in the region. The population has grown in recent years, she says, with COVID and cost-of-living pressures contributing. Each muster costs upwards of $100,000 and is funded by the Department of Conservation.
This year’s programme includes immunocontraception booster shots for mares. A first trial in 2022 showed 25% effectiveness, Wilson says, but booster shots could lift that to 70%.
“Potentially, we’re looking at 100 mares double boosted and 70 foals less being born in the mountains every year.”
No horse has been slaughtered since 2014, Wilson says. Rehoming remains critical over the next two years, with 91 horses from the June muster needing homes.
Horses can be purchased for $250 and delivered by stock truck for up to $300. For those without the facilities or experience to tame a horse themselves, Wilson says approved trainers can take horses through handling milestones over five to 12 weeks. The Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation offers a $1,000 subsidy toward professional trainer costs.
Wilson says horses from the April muster are already progressing well, just 10 days into training — haltered, leading and settled in domestic environments around the country.
Information on rehoming and a list of approved trainers is at kaimanawaheritagehorses.org.
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