Kaimanawa Wild Horses have been mustered from their regular habitat by the New Zealand Department of Conservation since 1993 where they are then either trucked directly to slaughter houses, to holding farms for later slaughter or given to "agents" to place in domestic homes. Some of these "agents" are legitimate welfare organisations such as ourselves while others are of dubious credentials with differing reports as to the welfare of the horses' in the hands of these people. It was originally agreed by the Department of Conservation to complete official checks on potential new homes. They have unfortunately failed in this task and many horses have fallen into incapabable or negligent hands. Meanwhile, herd numbers in the wild are now being maintained as musters are undertaken annually to ensure the herd population limit of 500 horses.
There is currently no organisation with a welfare interest who is involved in home placement of these horses and we are very concerned that the horses will continue to suffer in inexperienced hands on ill equipped properties.
If you also share this concern, please contact The Minister of Conservation (Chris Carter) at ccarter@ministers.govt.nz or write to :
Freepost Parliament
PO Box 18888
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Kaimanawa Breed Standard
General Appearance and Impression
There is wide variation within the breed in general appearance and impression, howver, they are well muscled, with heights generally falling between 12.2hh and 15hh.
Attributes
Hearing and sight are acute. Highly intelligent, quick adapters, hardy, robust and strong, which have been their survial instincts in the wild. They are sound, sure-footed and tough and live on very little. They are of sound wind and limb with very highly developed sensory organs.
The Head
Medium to broad forehead with large expressive eyes, in good proportion to the size of the horse. there is a wide variation due to the bloodlines that have formed the breed.
Teeth
Good sound teeth, but generally large and well formed. Horses from the Range tend to show wear well beyond their age.
Ears
Well set and alert.
Neck
Short, deep neck with a thick throat area, not always in proportion to body.
Shoulder
The shoulder tends to be straight
Forelegs
The forelegs should be perpendicular to the body. The forearms should be long and well muscled, the cannons shorter in comparison to the forearm. Hair quantity on legs is quite diverse.
Body
The body is to have a deep girth with a well sprung rib cage. Well propertioned with short to medium rather than long body.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters vary from sloping to well rounded with the tail set neither excessively high or low, but smoothly rounding off rump.
Hooves
The hooves should be strong walled and of good proportion, tending to be upright. The toes should face straight ahead, neither in or out. Hind hooves are generally smaller and slightly narrower than the front.
Paces
Tends to have a unique gait due to influence of shoulder.
Colour
Any colour or pattern marking is acceptable.
Temperament
Good temperament is of the utmost importance. Should be curious, alert, intelligent and friendly.
Age
1st of August is the qualifying foal date.
