'Homeless' horses sent to abattoir

The Department of Conservation is standing by its decision to send a group of Kaimanawa horses to the abattoir rather than prolonging the stress of being held in captivity while homes are sought.

Fifty-seven were mustered this year as part of DoC's management plan for the horses, which roam wild around Waiouru.

Kaimanawa Wild Horse Preservation Society found homes for 26 of them, but 31 remained homeless

"Most people want foals and they're always the first to go as they're the easiest to train and handle. That left 31 horses without a home," said DoC spokeswoman Kathy Asplet.

DoC's wild horse advisory group received an offer from the Wild Horses of Aotearoa Trust in April to take any unwanted horses.

However, the group decided that the proposal lacked depth and did not meet basic animal welfare requirements, especially with provision for long term grazing and ongoing care.

DoC says it made further requests for information from the trust, but, by the time of the muster, there were still concerns.

While negotiations continued, horses brought into captivity for the first time were forced to remain in yards, which was very stressful.

Veterinary Association spokesman Dr Nigel Coddington said he wholeheartedly supported DoC placing the welfare of the horses above any other consideration. From the beginning, the association had advised DoC to take a "no land, no horse" position.

It was not in the horses' interests to put them in a situation where food could not be guaranteed.

- NZPA