198 horses were removed from the Argo Management Zone and adjacent Awapatu catchment. 67 of these were from the southern section of the zone (Tarn track area). We had set a target of 192 for this part of the muster.
27 horses from the northern area on the military training area were also successfully captured. 22 of these were from the area covered in the April count and a further 5 from Army zone 9 near the boundary of the training area and Ohinewairua station. (A further 8 zone 9 horses in the vicinity of Bobs hut were left). 23 of the 27 northern horses were able to be kept distinct from the rest of the muster.
About 90 of the total of 225 have been placed by KWHPS. I will not have a final figure until later today as there was some over-subscription for some classes (young fillys & filly foals in particular) in the total of 95 requests. These placements include the juveniles & some mares from the north.
The remaining horses were sent direct to abbatoirs.
Nigel Coddington considered the horses to be in similar condition to last year. No injuries during the course of the muster were reported although some older injuries were seen.
See photos of some of the mustered horses in their new homes here
If you received a horse from this year's muster, we'd love to hear from you! Registration of horses with KWHWT Inc. is FREE!
Would you still like to offer a home to a Kaimanawa horse? KWHWT Inc. have horses looking for homes from time to time. We expect that new homes will be needed for a few of the horses from the most recent muster in the next few months.
Unfortunately, not everybody who receives a wild Kaimanawa horse has thought much beyond the initial muster and some people will be insufficiently prepared or will lose interest when they realise the amount of time and work that is involved in taking a horse directly from the range.
KWHWT Inc. is here to help these people by putting these people in touch with prospective new homes or (where absolutely necessary) offering temporary homes until suitable permanent owners can be found. Please contact Elder & Marilyn Jenks Ph/fax: 09 236 4115
Kaimanawa Wild Horse Management Plan Up For Review for 2004 - 2009
March 2004
The Kaimanawa Wild Horse Management Plan administered by the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Advisory Group is to be reviewed for the 2004 - 2009 management period.
Although there doesn't appear too many significant changes to the 1995 Management Plan suggested in the Working Plan, there are a few items that may potentially cause concern and require more indepth clarification.
We strongly encourage EVERYONE who is concerned for the ongoing welfare and existence of this herd to send submissions of your own. This is your opportunity to have an active role in securing a future for these horses that includes proactive, humane management options rather than negative options such as shooting.
DoC News Release 16 November 2003 (Received 19 December 2003)
January 2004
About 22 wild horses that continue to respass into an ecological "no-go zone" are to be removed from land near Waiouru. The area is the most unspoilt and fragile section of the Waiouru Military Training Area and is home to many special plants whose survival would be threatened should the horses remain.
The Kaimanawa Wild Horse Advisory Group, which advises the Department of Conservation on management of the herd, has supported the idea of removing the animals.
The Advisory Group is made up of representatives from local landowners, the NZ Veterianry Association, RNZSPCA, Forest & Bird, the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Preservation Society, Wanaganui-Taranaki Conservation Board, DoC and the NZ Army. Management of the herd largely focuses on actions required to maintain the herd of about 500 horses which is located to the south of the "no-go zone".
DoC Palmerston North Area Manager Dave Smith said options for removing the horses, discussed by the Advisory Group in May and October, included mustering, shooting or netting. Options were limited because of the remoteness of the area and limited demand for the mostly older horses.
Mr Smith said the possibility of catching and re-homing at least the juvenile animals, was being considered as it was known that these animals would be sought after. Catching would only be attempted in June as this would be when foals were weaned.
The horses were observed in the area during a count earlier this yeaar and are presumed to be eitehr animals left behind after musters in 1997 or others that have moved from surrounding areas.
Mr Smith said the Department plans would not include horses on surrounding private land unless agreed to by the owners.
The Kaimanawa Consortium has recently drafted a letter to the Minister of Conservation to voice our concerns regarding the porposed methods of "removal" of horses from "no-go" zones in the Kaimanawa Ranges. Similar letters have been submitted by other groups also and we need your input too.
Marilyn Jenks and Simone Frewin were given the best Christmas ever when they were invited to camp and tramp amongst wild horses for 4 days at Ohuamatua Maori Land Block in the Kaimanawa Ranges.
Having peered over the edge at the end of the Army road into "Big Valley" on a few range trips in the past, it was exhilerating to finally have the opportunity to take to 4WD's and descend into our campsite on the Valley floor and explore this pristine paradise. Huge thanks to Mike, Kim & Erica Richardson & John Greenhead for allowing us this spectacular opportunity and for being such gracious hosts.
The battle that rages over our Kaimanawa wild horses is not unique to New Zealand, welfare and government agencies all over the world have been battling for years over how to control their ever increasing wild horse populations. The difference is that the traditional method of mustering and aerial shooting used by Australia and NZ is not the most humane method of population control available.
The muster was due to take place this week on the 18th & 19th of May. Due to a slow repsonse from people offering to purchase horses, DoC agreed to postpone the muster a few days to allow time for more homes to be found. Applcaitions will now close on Friday 18th of May & the muster will take place on the 24th & 25th of May. Approved applicants can expect their horses any time on or after the 25th of May. Approximately 50 horses have approved homes so far and that total looks set to rise as interest hots up at the last minute. Lets hope it's not too late! We're anticipating being able to home around 60 horses with the help of sponsors as well
They say every cloud has a silver lining & the overwhelming generosity of people comes to the fore when we are working as hard as we can to save the lives of mustered horses. A couple of those who have been approved to take horses have offered to take "extras" if sponsors can be found to cover the purchase price of additional horses. Those who would like to sponsor a horse are asked to contact Simone to get contact details of people you can sponosr horses for. HUGE thanks goes to all of those who have offered to sponsor horses and especially to www.horsetalk.co.nzwho are sponsoring two horses and supporting KWHWT Inc. by allowing us the use of their popular forums to publicise the muster & including all of the latest articles on their news page. A number of generous commercial sponsors have offered their support and all will be thanked for their involvement in due course. We would appreciate our members supporting these sponsors and their products & services whereever possible in recognition of their support for Kaimanawa horses. Don't forget to tell them WHY you chose them over their competitor!
KAIMANAWA WILD HORSE SPONSORS NEEDED MORE THAN EVER! 21st May, 2007 Update
We've had an incredible response from generous individuals and businesses offering to sponsor horses from the 2007 muster and just in the past week, we have secured sponsors for 12 horses. This is needed more than ever! It is anticipated that we may end up with as many as 20 youngsters residing at Liberty Kaimanawas at least temporarily. KWHWT Inc. is taking full responsibility for these horses but it's going to be a huge financial undertaking to accommodate them, feed them, handle them & geld the colts before advertising them for new homes. Please take advantage of our simple PayPal service to make a donation via your credit card on our Home Page or contact Simone Frewin as noted below. Every cent will help to secure a long and happy future for a Kaimanawa foal or weanling that might otherwise be slaughtered. KWHWT Inc. is committed to providing support for the lifetime of these horses as with ALL Kaimanawas.
Due to inclemet weather on the way, the Department of Conservation has decided to postone the muster again until the 30th & 31st of May. This is their next available opportunity to muster but once again, these dates will be subject to weather and the availability of all parties involved (DoC, musterers, helicopter pilots, stock transporters & vet).
We will do our best to keep everybody informed but please be patient. There is a lot to be rescheduled and a lot of phone calls to be made. We will get to all of you who are taking horses, as soon as we're able.
THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS OF HORSES FROM THE 2007 MUSTER
We were absolutely amazed and very inspired by the generosity of the public in New Zealand and overseas. We were able to re-home a record number of horses thanks to those people who donated money to cover purchase, transport and feed expenses for horses that may not otherwise have been re-homed.
The sponsored horses are all settling well in their new homes and their new owners are very grateful for the support they've received.
A number of businesses also leant their support in either money or product. Please support these businesses and/or contact them to let them know that their generosity is also appreciated. Thanks to:
Ancare New Zealand
Dunstan Feeds
Ewen Equine
Horse Talk
HR Fisken & Sons
Lifestyle Block Website
Takanini Feeds Ltd
Talk To Your Animals
Saddlery Warehouse
All of our sponsors have received a complimentary one year membership to KWHWT Inc., a newsletter and a certificate.
It seemed this year's muster would never happen after many weeks of postponement but when the time eventually came, it was all over in record time. Four helicopters took approximately 4 hours to herd 156 horses into the Argo Valley yards.
The KWHWT Inc. took 90 horses in total and have currently placed 87. The other three horses are currently residing at Liberty Kaimanawas. WHOA took 45 horses onto their holding properties, KWHPS took 7 horses for placement and 14 went to the abattoir. Read more... (More will also be added to this site soon!)
