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The Horse

In the central North Island of New Zealand lives several hundred wild horses.  These are not native ponies, as there are no indigenous large mammals, but the result of numerous escapes and releases of horses in the area.  The resulting horse has been found to be genetically different from other domestic horses, due to their years in isolation.

The Kaimanawa Wild Horse is a remarkable animal whose characteristics make him extremely adaptable to any situation. 

• Incredibly Intelligent   Quick to learn, very inquisitive, always give 100%
• Trusting   Thrive on stressful situations, will cope with any task, brilliant with children & people in general.
• Versatile   Suit Adult & Child riders in all spheres of equestrian sport. 
• Good conformation  150 years of near isolation has produced sound, strong, well conformed ponies through necessity.
• Show Quality   A number of horses have already made their mark in the show ring competing against a variety of other breeds.
• Size   Mature between 12-15hh
• Economical   Hardy, Healthy & cheap to run

Kaimanawa Breed Standard

Between 1858 and 1875 Major George Gwavas Carlyon imported Exmoor ponies to Hawkes Bay.These were crossed with local stock and a sure footed breed known as the Carlyon pony resulted. Sir Donald McLean imported two welsh stallions, Kinarth Caesar and Comet. When crossed with the "Carlyon" a small stature, sure footed, robust horse resulted. These became known as the "Comet" breed. During the 1870's McLean released a 'Comet' stallion and several mares on the Kaingaroa plains. In later years this bloodline was reportedly apparent in the wild population.  

Over the years that followed, other horses contributed to the bloodline of this wild population. There were escapes and releases of horses from sheep runs in the area and in 1941 horses from the mounted rifle cavalry units at Waiouru were released when a strangles epidemic threatened. It is also reported that Nicholas Koreneff released an Arab stallion into the Argo Valley region during the 1960's. With the varied gene input, the horses have generally become larger in stature and there is also some variation in their conformation and build. 

Kaimanawa's are becoming popular domestic horses again, either as full breds or as part-breds to increase the toughness and versatility of sport horses.

From 1994 to 1997 Massey University students spent time in the Army training area with a study population of around 400 horses that are individually known.

The horses live in social groups known as bands containing typically one, but up to four stallions, one to eleven females and their immature offspring. As both colts and fillies disperse from the band in which they were born, most of the individuals in the band are not related. Nonetheless, apart from young mares, they are very loyal to their bands. Stallions and mares form long-term relationships. When adolescents reach dispersal age, fillies usually leave their mother's band for another and they may then change bands a number of times over the next couple of years before joining a band in which they stay. Colts on the other hand become bachelors. Bachelors live in unstable groups, but still in predictable home ranges. The horses are very loyal to their home ranges, which are not territories and so are not exclusive or defended - many overlap to a greater or lesser extent.

During the last roundup these Kaimanawa's were sold to a University research group - they were kept in terrible conditions with little food

As well as the welfare trust, there is an official Kaimanawa Horse Breed Society.  The Breed Society pages are now online @ horsetalk, with lots more information on this interesting breed and photos of many of the registered horses.

Kaimanawa Wild Horse Welfare Trust Inc Inc. has been formed by a group of Kaimanawa horse enthusiasts who are dedicated to the welfare and wellbeing of Kaimanawa horses in the wild and in captivity

DOC Kaimanawa Wild Horse Links

Kaimanawa Wild Horses Working Plan 2004 – 2009 - Opportunity to comment
Your views on the draft working plan are welcome. The attached form may be used either in hard copy or electronically. Alternatively you may wish to comment by letter.

Your comments must be addressed to: Kaimanawa Wild Horse Working Plan Submission Department of Conservation Private Bag 3016 WANGANUI

Electronic submissions should be emailed to:bfleury@doc.govt.nz Please include the subject line as "Kaimanawa Submission".

The closing date for comments is 16 April 2004
Goals and objectives

Appendix one

Appendix two

Opportunity to comment

Submission form (PDF)

Links

Kaimanawa Breed Society 

ILPH

Kaimanawa Wild Horse Welfare Trust Inc

NZ Rarebreeds

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