We love your stories so keep 'em coming! Email us at kwhwt@xtra.co.nz
At the beginning of this year, my mother placed an advert for a horse to exercise. Marilyn and Elder Jenks replied and offered their Kaimanawa ponies to ride. That is how I met Bo Bo (short for Bilbobagins). He is a fat 4-year-old bay, 14.2 hands high pony. Marilyn said he was a very quiet pony, but he has bucked me heaps of times and always canters to the gate, so he can go back to the stables, even when he has only just been saddled up. He loves being groomed and when I pick out his hooves, he tries to nibble my bottom.
Sometimes after a ride when I am washing him down, he crosses his front legs and leans on me and goes to sleep. Bo Bo hates having his cover on, but he has to wear it because he hates getting wet, so I don't ride him when it's raining. I am schooling Bo Bo to jump and last time he finally jumped for me - it was like flying.
I knew nothing about Kaimanawa ponies until I met Bo Bo, I think they are special because they have real personalities and they are cute.
I love Bo Bo because he has a cool personality and he thinks he is human and loves to give me cuddles and nibble my hair.
By Sigourney Weldon
11 yrs old
MY DREAM PONY
We all have a dream pony, mine is a 4-year-old Kaimanawa pony named Rangi. He is a red bay gelding with a white strip on his face, he has a white sock on his left hind leg. He is all I ever wanted in a pony. Rangi is caring, whenever I am sad I go down to his paddock and give him a cuddle and he makes me warm. Rangi believes I am his and he gets jealous if I take out another pony, he will sulk until I come and get him. Whenever I am in the paddock he
canters up to me and pushes the other horses out of the way. Although Rangi is not broken in, he allows me to stand on his back like in the circus and I ride him around the paddock and jump the ditches. He is always careful of me when I ride him and although he doesn't understand leg aids, he listens to my voice and does as I say. I have taught him to back up, by putting my legs in a certain position.
Rangi had a hard beginning after the musters and some people say he has a big head, but I think it is perfect and he is the best pony in the world. I miss him during the week when I can't see him, I have his picture taped to the inside of my desk. I hope to take him to a show one day, so you can all see how special he is.
I really love him and if you ever meet him, I am sure you will too.
Tell everybody with a kind soul or heart that these little ponies are very smart,
They come from the desert, the hills and the snow.
They need someone to love them or they'll soon go.
Show some affection and they'll show it back,
Give them some time, lay them some slack.
Let them get used to their new diets and home,
Because after all they are just skin and bone.
Give them your attention and patience as well,
I'm sure these little ponies will turn out swell.
Treat them with respect, give them a fair go, they could end up on that TV show.
Hear what I am saying, give them a good home.
They are used to being free, running around where we could not see.
So love them dearly, love them sweet,
Because you only get one chance with these little treats
By Leah and Harmony (both aged 12)
Two Wild Women!
On Wednesday the 20th of June two wild Kaimanawa Horses arrived at our farm. One bay mare (Bella) and one bay weanling filly (Blossom). Apart from having worms both horses appeared to be in a reasonable condition. Bella at a quick look was around 6 months pregnant.
They jumped out of the cattle truck, into our round yard and started a diet of water and hay. Our 1st priority was to get them hooked on hard feed and let most of the worms pass out, since they had been wormed at their over night hotel in Te Kauwhata. Well, we have seen worms before, but never of that size and variety.
The following Friday we noticed that Blossom had a small cut on her near front paston and she was looking a bit glassy eyed. By the next day the cut had infected and we were not happy with the way her eyes looked, it was almost as if she had blue eyes. We decided that the vet better take a look at her, and this meant having to catch her. This was something we not normally do this early, but it was a case of having to. By the time the vet arrived we had a halter on her and were able to pick up her front foot, which was infected and according to the vet the glassy eye was from the stress of whole ordeal.
The following morning most of the worms had disappeared so we decided to let them out of the yard and into the paddock. After a bit of a run around and getting acquainted with the electric fence they both settled down to eat some fresh grass. In the afternoon we ran them back into the yard it was time for Blossoms medicine. We could tell that both horses looked a lot better after only being outside the yard for a few hours, the eyes of Blossom looked a lot clearer and she was easy to catch. We did at this stage have a short lead on the halter this certainly made it a lot easier. Bella at this stage was also getting within a few meters of us, however since we were told that most pregnant mares that had been bought in from the rangers had aborted due to stress we would give her a few more day to get used to her new environment, before attempting to put a halter on her. Unlike Blossom she was not used to hard feed yet. By day 5 we had them outside the yard all the time and only bought them in to work on.
Two weeks later Blossom was leading, well most of the time. I did receive a playful kick from her a few days earlier, she was a cheeky one. Since we could pick up all her feet and her owners could also catch her it was time to go home. This was just a few meters up the road but she had other ideas and in the end it took two of us to physically hoist her into the float.
We had Bella mated up with one of our old ladies but was still hard to catch, we only worked with her every second day so not to stress her out at all. She was very quick with her front feet and on a few occasions just managed to miss the family jewels. By week 4 things had changed a lot we were able to get into her space without any handshakes from her and we also started to pick up her front feet. It was time to introduce her new owner to her. Mrs C had followed her progression very carefully from a distance, Bella was now like most Kaimanawa ponies very much a one person horse and was very weary of anybody else getting into her space.
Week six, Bella was now very much hooked on hard feed, easy to catch by both us and Mrs C who could also pick up her feet and lead her around. It was time for her to go home. She didn't mind walking into the float at all and travelled very well to her new home only a few minutes from our place. Once there we put her into her new paddock next to some very inquisitive Thoroughbreds. Mrs C had new post and rails put up however Bella wanted to say hello to the TB so she jumped the fence and introduced her self.
Bella returned to our place in September, she had bagged up with milk but still looked a few weeks off foaling so we put her with her old friend. On the morning of September the 24th she had given birth to a healthy filly foal and like one person put it looked like the foal had put her face into a pale of paint, even her eyelashes are white.
Reflections on the behaviour of Kaimanawa Wild Horses by Heike Ehrlenbach
Anyone who has anything to do with Kaimanawa horses notices and remarks on the fact that they are different to "domesticated" horses.
According to their owners, they are more inquisitive, hardier, extremely surefooted and they are usually not inclined to suffer fools galdly. Most Kaimanawa hrse owners also can tell a story or two about unusual behaviour or actions tha they observed with their horses.
Following the 1997 muster, Robyn (Sisley) and I noticed some interesting incidents with the Kaimanawa horses on the farm in Waitetuna Valley. We wondered if other horse owners had similar experiences with their animals.
One very wet winter morning, I went to feed a group of 15 mares in one of the steeper hill paddocks. While approaching, I briefly wondered why all the mares stood lined up behind each other on the top of the hill. As I got closer I saw the mare first in line laid down on her side and started sliding down the hillside. She arrived at the bottom, shook herself and went to walk up the hill again. Meanwhile, the next mare in line was on her way downhill and so it went on with the animals always returning to the top of the hill and lining up again for another slide. It all happened in a very orderly and disciplined fashion and not one animal tried to slide out of turn. (Farmer was not happy about the muddy hillside when he saw their paddock the next day!)
(NOTE: Helicopter pilots have observed the horses' ability to slide across swamps on their sides at speed to avoid being mustered by the helicopters. They have confounded their capturers when apparently cornered by simply dropping onto their side from a flat out gallop and skimming across the top of the swamp, then returning to their feet on the other side and galloping away. This is all achieved in one smooth motion and they barely break their stride!
Newly mustered Kaimanawas have also been observed using this technique to escape under the bottom rails of yards. They simply lie down and "limbo" under the rails to freedom!)
In August 1997, a couple of weeks after we received our first lot of 10 stallions, Robyn and I went down to the yards to work with them. It was a rather windy day and we had left them the evening before in a paddock adjoining the yards. As we approached we saw all the horses layingflat and awfully still on their sides on the grass. Our first terrified thought was that they had all died of colic due to the lusher grass. As we started to walk amongst them some lifted their heads briefly but made no effort to get up. Robyn and I were rather concerned and decided to open the gates to the yards to try and herd them in. Well...as soon as the yard gates were opened, they all got up and wandered in happily and we realised that laying down flat is their way of getting out of the wind.
Another time we watched the same lot of stallions disappearing into a swamp that has never been entered by any other stock on the farm. They contentedly waded around in it, with only their heads sticking out and munched on the swamp plants and overhanging trees.
We also noticed that a majority of the horses always sniffed our boots when we were with them. Sometimes rather disconcerting when we walked into the yards and all of a sudden had ten horses around us with their heads down, busy sniffing our feet.
My mare Sophie was repeatedly observed eating Oleander bushes on my neighbour's fenceline. Oleander is considred highly toxic for horses but she never suffered any ill effects from eating it.
It also always puzzled me that Kaimanawa horses can handle solitude so well. I often had one of my horses short term grazing in my large garden in Raglan and they always seemed perfectly content about not having other horses around them.
This website is sponsored, designed & maintained by Simone Frewin. Copyright 2003 Simone Frewin. All rights reserved.
As soon as he arrived his Kaimanawa characteristics started to show straight away, for example, when he felt like a nap he would just lie down. Even the first day he arrived, I found him on the ground flat as a pancake, I thought he was dead, but soon learnt that it was his way of resting. He even let me lie next to him and give him a wee cuddle (yes still pregnant).
We have a creek running through his paddock, so when it was hot I would take him in for a paddle and splash him with water, but he soon learnt he could do this with out me. Quite regularly on his own accord he would go into the creek and splash water on himself, it was wonderful entertainment. Another thing, he has pine trees in his paddock and the branches are low to give him more shelter, I've seen him lying on and against the branches to keep himself warmer while he rests, which looks very strange.
We love our Idian (we named him), he's cheeky, entertaining & always surprising us with something new. My husband and I enjoy handling and working him. We have to treat him like he's already broken in, otherwise he gets away with too much. I'm looking foward to seeing him grow with us and one day able to ride and compete on him.
Idian, 1 going on 5, is a very satisfying challange, everyday he rewards us, our friends and our neighbours with his wild Kaimanawa instinct.
I wish there was more we could do to help this wonderful breed. Every year, a new year comes around, there's another muster and more horses needing homes. My advice to you, get and stay involved with Kaimanawa horses.
Bronwyn Harris - Canterbury
Idian - Our Cheeky Kaimanawa Baby
When I first found out about an opportunity of taking on a Kaimanawa yearling, I did a lot of research into the breed and talked to a lot of people about them. I found your site and was fascinated with the stories posted, with the '04 muster coming up I would like to have the opportunity to share my story.
Idian eating baby trees. Please note: KWHWT Inc. would prefer to see the electric fence turned on as although Idian is obviously quiet, there is potential for injury in this situation.
Our Kaimanawa yearling arrived from the North Island safe and sound. He came out of the '03 muster and had been handled for the past 6 months. I was 9 months pregnant at the time so was wary of him, but to our surprise, he was very calm and settled quickly, so I was able to handle and bond with him right from the start.
Natchez & Logan
Hi there Sandy Kara here just thought I would send you some photo's of Poronui's off spring (Natchez) which some of you should know about. Natchez DAD was a Palomino Quarter horse by the name (Drury Rush Me ) which was owner by Alex Walters until his death. Natchez was 3 years old on the 10 November 2003, she has been under saddle for about 8 months, but due to work etc, was turned out for 4 of the 8 months. Most of your older members will remember my daughter Logan, she has just turned 8 years old about 6 weeks ago. Since Natchez was brought back in at the beginning of the school holidays, Logan has been riding her, they have been in the forest next to our farm, they have been jumping logs in
the forest, done river crossings you name it they have done it. Natchez has the most amazing temperament. Logan is still a very nervous rider, but has changed so much since she has been riding Natchez. I felt I needed to share his with other owners. I am just so proud of Natchez and Logan. they are the best of friends, and I have no worries of letting Logan ride on her own on Natchez as she is so quiet and gentle with Logan. I have included some photo's I have taken of them.
VERY PROUD MOTHER AND OWNER OF KAMANAWA HORSES, WHICH I HAVE LOVED AND OWNED FOR OVER 9 YEARS. AND STILL THE PROUD OWNER OF PORONUI, WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 1994. I HOPE YOU SHARE THIS WITH OTHER MEMBERS.
Sandy Kara
How Much To Keep A Horse?
“How much to keep a horse?” they ask.
Oh please don’t make me think!
For if I am to work it out
I’m bound to be driven to drink!
“So just how much do you think, it will cost us for a pony?”
Not so much if you heed my advice
And stick to one horse only!
“Isn’t it true we should maybe get two so they have company?”
“Yes”, I confess.
“And why stop there when you have room for three?!”
“So what will it cost to get all the stuff that we’ll need for all these horses?”
“All that you will ever have
And a lot more than the Bank Manager endorses!”
“Please don’t ask anymore!” I implore.
“Or my husband will kick me out the door!”
He begged me just to keep the three
But odd numbers don’t sit well with me
So then he said I should stop at four
But his sensible advice I chose to ignore
Please! Please! Please! Don’t be like me!
Stop right there! Run! Flee!!
Before you know it, they’ll be enquiring
How many do you have NOW?
And you’ll be crying
And wishing you had listened to me
Instead of living your life of poverty
Although all of my horses I absolutely adore
Having so many can be quite a chore
Still…there’s always room for just one more…
So now I am doomed to endure
Never shopping anywhere but the saddlery store.
What’s the cost of having a horse of your own?
Your heart, your soul & more fun than you’ve known!
I said then he was meant for me. So off to the bidding we go. Our picks made. Unknown to me, Jim Bolger also had his eye on what I was calling my filly. My husband not wanting to disappoint me outbid Jim Bolger for our girl. To this day, we still say she is worth every penny and more. We were also lucky enough to get our little dark colt. After having them at home for a few days we noticed our colt Nomad was going to the toilet strangely. I looked a second time, and much to my surprise, our little dark colt was in fact a filly. This was our beginning to an amazing journey, with personality plus ponies. Our girls affectionately known as Empress and Nomad were 6 and 9 months old when we got them, they are now rising 7 and if we were offered the world for them, we would still say it’s not enough.
By Shelly Stevens
Kaimanawa Empress Black Diamond & Kaimanawa Nomad
I remember clearly being so happy we got acceptance to go to the auctions to find ourselves additions to our family from a part of New Zealand history. We arrived in Ohingaiti to see a lot of people and even more horses. We first headed off for the fillies, there I happened across a very fine built, dark filly, and she looked at me with a real kind eye and had caught mine. I told my husband then, I refused to leave without her. He being the doting husband he is, said ok. Walking around to where the colts were penned, I stopped to look and bold as brass this beautiful stocky little dark colt walked up to me and sniffed my hand.
