KEY POINTS:
The Department of Conservation is looking for homes for wild horses from the Kaimanawas on the Central Plateau as the annual muster gets under way later this month.
Applications are currently being sought by three wild horse preservation groups for people keen to give homes to some of the horses.
"Adopting a Kaimanawa horse is not complicated," said Department of Conservation (DOC) Palmerston North area manager Phil Mohi.
"Applications are made to one of the three wild horse preservation groups who then check that prospective owners have a suitable environment for the animals. A small fee is charged to cover administration costs."
The horses made excellent pets and work animals, said Kaimanawa Wild Horse Preservation Society (KWHPS) president Sharon Brown.
"They are very good for any discipline -- pony clubs, horse trekking, A&P shows, as farm horses or riding for the disabled -- they are really proving themselves."
A recent count of the Kaimanawa wild horses confirmed a herd of around 654 in the herd management area.
The management plan for the horses aims to keep the number in this area to about 500, to ensure both habitat and horses remain healthy. About 150 horses are likely to be removed in the muster.
Applications for a Kaimanawa horse need to be submitted as soon as possible and can be made through the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Preservation Society, the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Welfare Trust Inc, or the Wild Horses of Aotearoa.
- NZPA
