Wild horse plan challenged

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 638, 28 May 1996, Page 4

Wild horse plan challenged

• The Kaimanawa Wild Horse Preservation Society Inc was established in 1994. The objects of the society include the preservation and protection of the wild horses by: ensuring where practicable their welfare; establishing and operating a breed register and ensuring as far as possible the preservation of their natural habitat. In light of the recent removal of the horses' protection order, there are several points which need to be verified. Firstly there is no scientific or botanic evidence to show that the horses are damaging the habitat. The papers presented to DoC by Dr Geoff Rogers, are just that, papers. They have not been subject to peer review to ascertain and verify their authenticity. As one of KWHPS's objects is to preserve the horses' natural habitat, it is important to us to know that the environment can sustain the horses. Without their feed supply the horses will not survive, so both the horses and their habitat are equally important. DoC are only now starting a full botanical study in the Moawhango Ecological Region which should have been done before any horses are removed. KWHPS has repeatedly asked Denis Marshall and opposition parties to undertake a census to confirm numbers. The last census was taken two years ago, in April 1994, by DoC and independent observers including KWHPS, where 1576 horses were counted. Since then approximately 380 horses have been removed in separate

round-ups leaVing an approximate total of 1 196 horses. This total does not take into account those horses killed in live firing exercises and those poached. Massey University students currently studying horses in the Argo area recently found nine dead foals. Four of the foals had been shot and their hindquarters removed. The cause of death of the remaining five foals was undetermined. Also unaccounted for is the natural recruitment rate. Of the mares tested at post mortems after the '93 and '94 round-ups, 80% of those mares were pregnant. However, further studies have shown that only 34% of mares had foals in '93, and 32% of mares had foals in '94. It therefore seems that many pregnancies fail or that young foals die. The majority of breeding bands contained foals but no yearlings or vice versa, which means that despite trying mares are not successfully rearing offspring in consecuti ve years. It is a popular misconception that the Kaimanawa wild horses are not special. They are registered with the Food & Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations as an endangered species. It is a fact that the horses contain a rare item in their blood and this is confirmed by the analysis of data by Dr Gus Cothran, (Equine B lood T yping & Research Centre, University of Kentucky) who states, "Therefore you can truly say that they are unique in their genetic characteristics." The horses originate from the Exmoor and Welsh breeds which is readily apparent especially in the horses of the

northern areas, which have the pale muzzles and underbellies and are generally a smaller pony . They are definitely a distinct breed and have, over the past century, adapted to an environment that is harsh and unforgiving where only the strong survive. DoC is still quoting figures of between 1800-2000 horses and they intend to cull at least 1300 horses in the near future. They have absolutely no basis for their estimated figures and refuse to do a census. Their plan is to count the horses in each area and then shoot them, and move on to the next area. They assure us that they will count all the dead horses, and that we are welcome to participate as a society. Although the animal welfare issues are paramount, KWHPS is more interested in stopping the culling in the first place until sufficient studies have been conducted to provide the necessary knowledge on which to base a sensible management plan. If you are interested to know more about the Kaimanawa wild horses or if you would like to support the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Preservation Society Inc. , please contact Sarah Hulena, 24 Thrush Street, Taihape, or phone (06)388 1 1 44.

Sarah

Hulena