Kaimanawa muster horses need homes

Horse lovers have only days to apply to rehome  one of the more than 200 Kaimanawa horses rounded up by the Department of Conservation (DOC)  in this year’s muster.

Horses not rehomed are generally sent to slaughter.

Charitable society Kaimanawa Heritage Horses (KHH) is run by volunteers  dedicated to the welfare of the horses and is looking for people who can provide good homes for the horses.

In 2012 KHH was able to find homes for 119 of the 191 mustered horses.

Unfortunately the remaining 72 horses, many of which were suitable for re-homing, were sent to slaughter.

Waikato area representative for KHH, Christine Wilson adopted her first Kaimanawa horse back in 2006.

“Porscha turned out to be the best jumper. I sold her on and now she’s doing the show hunting circuit,” Wilson said.

Wilson now owns Odin who was a foal in the 2012 muster.

“They [KHH] didn’t want to give him to just anyone because he was very upset, so I ended up with him,” she said.

It took a month before Odin settle in enough for Wilson and tie him up and get him willingly to enter a horse float.

“Now he’s the most cruisey horse ever. I use him to babysit other horses. He’s just the friendly horse who can fit in with anyone. He’s super easy,” Wilson said.

Wilson first heard about Kaimanawa Heritage Horses (KHH) when she was a little girl and applied for a horse at the Fieldays.

“They [KHH] called up and my parents found out and said no,” she laughed.

An ideal owner  is someone with some horse experience and the time and resources.

Wilson said  taking an animal  that has had no human contact and training  it to be a great horse is an amazing challenge.

“It’s saving horses and giving them a second chance before they starve,” she said.

Mustered horses placed in suitable homes  have proven to be great all-round riding ponies.

Many have also become talented competition horses with successes in Show Hunter, Saddle Hunter, Pony Grand Prix Jumping and Eventing.

When Odin is old enough he will be broken in (trained).

Wilson will be involved with this year’s muster.

Applications to take wild Kaimanawa horses from this year’s muster close this Wednesday, April 30.

Another way to support KHH’s ongoing work and to allow the temporary homing of additional horses until permanent homes can be found is through tax-deductible donations.

To make a donation, apply for a muster horse or click here.