Kaimanawa horses

Kaimanawa Horses are a population of feral horses in New Zealand that are descended from domestic horses released in the 19th and 20th centuries. They are known for their hardiness and quiet temperament.

History

The Kaimanawa breed descended from domestic horses that were released in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand around the Kaimanawa Ranges. The first horses were introduced to New Zealand by Samuel Marsden in December 1814, and in 1876 wild horses were first reported in the Kaimanawa mountains. Between 1858 and 1875 Major George Gwavas Carlyon imported Exmoor ponies to Hawkes Bay and crossed them with local stock to produce the Carlyon pony. Later, these Carlyon ponies were crossed with two Welsh Stallions, Kinarth Caesar and Comet, imported by Sir Donald McLean, and a breed known as the Comet resulted. At some point during the 1870s McLean released a Comet stallion and several mares on the Kaingaroa Plains and the bloodline apparently became part of the wild Kaimanawa population. Other horses were added to the bloodline through escapes and releases from local sheep stations and from cavalry units at Waiouru that were threatened with a strangles epidemic. It is also thought that in the 1960s Nicholas Koreneff released an Arabian stallion into the Argo Valley region. [ [http://kaimanawa.homestead.com/history.html "History & Origins"] . "Kaimanawa Wild Horse Welfare Trust, Inc.". Referenced January 14, 2008.]

Pressure from land development and an encroaching human population decreased the range and the number of the Kaimanawa horses, and in 1979 it was found that only about 174 horses remained. Starting in 1981, the Kaimanawa population, range size, and herd movements began to be officially measured, and a protected area was formed for the breed in the Waiouru Military Training Area. [ [http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=33495 "Facts about Kaimanawa horses"] . "New Zealand Department of Conservation". Referenced January 14, 2008]

Breed Characteristics

Many characteristics of the Comet breed are said to be shown in the Kaimanawa horses today, although the varied gene input has produced a wide range of sizes, colors, and body types among the wild horses. The Kaimanawa breed varies widely in general appearance, with heights ranging between 12.2 and 15 hands high. Any coat color or pattern marking is acceptable. They are usually well-muscled. Their feral way of life has given them the ability to adapt quickly and live on very little, and they are usually sure-footed and tough. They have a medium sized head in good proportion to their body, with wide variation in shape due to the different formation breeds. They have a short, deep neck with a thick throat area, straight shoulders, a deep girth, and a short to medium back. The hindquarters vary from sloping to well-rounded. The legs are long and well-muscled, with strong hooves, and hind hooves that are generally smaller than the front ones. All horses are considered to age a year on the first of August, regardless of their actual foaling date. [http://kaimanawa.homestead.com/GeneralBreed.html "Kaimanawa Breed Standard"] . "Kaimanawa Wild Horse Welfare Trust, Inc.". Referenced January 14, 2008.]

Population Control and Study

The Department of Conservation has since 1993 carried out annual culls and roundups of Kaimanawas to keep the herd population at around 500 horses. These horses are either taken directly to slaughter or are placed at holding farms for later slaughter or adoption by private homes. A main reason for the strict population control is to protect the habitat in which they live [Nimmo, D. G., & Miller, K. K. (2007) Ecological and human dimensions of management of feral horses in Australia: A review. Wildlife Research, 34, 408-417.] , which includes 16 plant species listed as endangered. [ [http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.aspx?id=33494 "Kaimanawa horses"] . "New Zealand Department of Conservation". Referenced January 14, 2008.]

The United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization lists the Kaimanawa horses as a herd of special genetic value that can be compared with other groups of feral horses such as free-living zebras, New Forest ponies, Assateague ponies, and wild mustangs. Kaimanawas are of special value because of their low rate of interaction with humans. Between 1994 and 1997 students from Massey University studied a population of around 400 Kaimanawa horses to learn their habits and herd dynamics. [ [http://kaimanawa.homestead.com/Research.html "Research Information"] . "Kaimanawa Wild Horse Welfare Trust, Inc.". Referenced January 14, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.aspx?id=33494 Department of Conservation]
* [http://kaimanawa.homestead.com/index.html Kaimanawa Wild Horse Welfare Trust]