An expertly guided trip into the land of the Kaimanawa Horses is a rare and wondrous experience. In fact, it’s five years since we last had this opportunity.
From the first arrival of Europeans into the central North Island in the mid-19th century, there are records of horses of various breeds escaping from the large inland Hawke’s Bay stations into the vast ‘desert’ area of the Central Plateau. The dominant ‘origins’ of the Kaimanawa breed are believed to be Exmoor and Welsh Mountain ponies released in the 1870s. These hardy and sure-footed breeds were a huge part of pioneer life in early European settlements.
And over the last 150 years there have been a few deliberate releases of unwanted horses into the area as well – from the old army cavalry units, farms and even the odd ‘Desert Road drop-off’. The first recorded sighting of groups of wild horses around the Kaimanawa Ranges was as far back as 1876.
Since 1993 there has been an annual muster in order to keep numbers down to around 300 horses, which is the figure believed to allow the herd to remain viable whilst also preserving the delicate and unique environment they live in. Initially, all horses mustered were culled. In 2003 the Kaimanawa Heritage Horse Trust (KHHT) was established to work with the Department of Conservation and other interested groups to find homes for as many of the mustered horses as possible and close to 1,000 mares and younger males have been homed in the years since. The breed’s reputation for resilience, surefootedness and a quiet temperament are very sought after traits.
Hosted by the KHHT and the NZ Army, we will be guided into the heart of the territory of this unique breed of horse – much of which is NZ Army land and usually very much off-limits. With experts aboard our coach from both D.O.C. and KHHT, we’ll set out from the NZ Army camp at Waiouru and make our way to the actual muster area by lunchtime, with time to stop and observe the family groups of horses we come across along the way. After lunch, we’ll head into the other side of the reserve to spot more roaming horses and experience the unique landscape of this part of the country. Due to the relative isolation of the area in which the breed live, we will overnight in Ohakune, either side of our big day with the horses.
Join us as we step into the world of New Zealand’s only wild horse breed and see them in their breath-taking natural surroundings. An experience not to be missed.
