The biannual muster of Kaimanawa Wild horses is underway near Waiouru. Over the next few days about 160 of the horses will be taken from the wild and resettled with new owners around the country.
If you're interested in adopting a Kaimanawa horse, then get in quick, as applications close next month.
In April and May, 70 Kaimanawa wild horses will be mustered out of the Kaimanawa Range as part of the area's ecological management strategy.
The Kaimanawa Heritage Horses (KHH) is urging applications nowfrom people interested in taking a horse or horses from the muster, as well as those interested in sponsoring the placement and upkeep of a wild horse.
Kaimanawa horses will be mustered in April and May this year. Photo / File
"KHH only has applications for twelve horses at this stage. With only four weeks left until applications close on April 1st there's not a lot of time left for interested parties to deliberate. That leaves a lot of horses still in need of caring homes with suitably experienced new owners." KHH Chairperson Kimber Brown said in a statement.
"The Kaimanawas coming out of the muster are true wild horses who have never been in contact with humans," Michele Hautain, KHH welfare officer said.
"In time they will do anything their owners ask of them, but in the early days they need sympathetic handling to ensure they make a successful transition to domestic life.
"Kaimanawas have an X-factor, their senses are acute, and they have proven to be very trainable. Given the right environment they are very curious, honest and friendly and are suitable for a variety of equine disciplines.
"Any mustered horses which do not find homes are, very sadly, destined for slaughter," Hautain said.
KHH said it was more than happy to offer prospective new owners with support and advice.
Closing date for applications is Monday, April 1.
The cost for taking a Kaimanawa from this year's muster had been set at $250.
This cost includes initial property check, transport from the muster site to a central pick-up point and membership and registration of the horse with KHH.
A gelding rebate of $75 was also available to new owners who took colts.
Further information and application forms are available on the KHH website Email: muster@kaimanawaheritagehorses.org
