• Being left alone without other horses
• Being handled
• Being haltered, tied up, covered or stabled
• Fences of any sort
• Vehicles, people, pets or other things we have around domestic livestock
• Being transported (float or truck)

Your application will require you to provide two referees, undergo a home check and pay an application fee.

 Download the KHH Muster Horse application form

Muster:

The annual muster is under sole control of the Department of Conservation (DOC). Horses are mustered in family groups usually from specific areas. These areas are decided by DOC from the results of the annual census. The DOC vet decides which horses are suitable for rehoming and which will be slaughtered. Therefore until this point is reached Kaimanawa Heritage Horses (KHH) does not know what horses will be available for re-homing.

Because KHH does not get to choose what horses we are able to offer, we must do our best to allocate the horses provided to us to the applicants. The end result of this is that the KHH cannot guarantee to supply you with the type of horse you request, or possibly (in the worst case) even supply a horse at all.

Transport:

DOC will transport the Kaimanawa Wild Horses from the muster to a distribution point.

Transport to your yards will be arranged for you by the KWHWT (at your expense) in a suitable truck.

You must state clearly on your application form the exact delivery details of where your yards are situated. Include Rapid/Rural numbers, colour of letterboxes etc., anything that will help the truck driver find you easily. Please be aware delivery is most likely to be under wet, muddy conditions and a truck needs to be able to get to the loading  ramp and turn around and get back on the road without getting bogged down in your paddock.

The truck driver may refuse to unload the horse(s) if he believes the facilities provided are unsafe for the horse(s) or the driver and the truck.

Feed, Facilities and Training:

You will need good strong cattle yards and loading ramp with a minimum height of at least 1.5 metres. Sheep yards are NOT suitable as these horses can jump.

Grass and hay and plenty of clean water are required when a horse first arrives. Wild horses are not used to lucerne or grain feeds. Grain feeds should be introduced slowly. Take care in initial grazing management and feed routines. Consult a veterinarian or KHH if you need advice.

You must graze your new Kaimanawa horse with, or adjacent to, other horses. These horses have never been alone. Without the company of other horses, they will fret, become stressed or jump out of the yard, or even just give up on life.

Handling:

Mares may be pregnant. It is best to do as little as possible until after she has foaled. Stress is likely to trigger an abortion in pregnant mares. Just let her settle on your property with a paddock mate and let her get used to you coming to her paddock with hay, etc; give her time to accept you.

Other Kaimanawa Wild Horses can be handled as soon as you feel they can cope – usually within a couple of weeks.

Kaimanawa Heritage Horses will not transport unhandled horses to the South Island (for obvious safety and welfare reasons).

KHH can arrange handling at your cost if required. Your horses will be delivered direct to the handler, basic skills will be taught such as: catch, halter, lead and tie, pickup feet and load.

Stallions/Castration:

Young stallions and colts should be gelded as soon as they have been handled enough to be able to do this operation. Note that this must be done by a veterinarian.

Stallions can be most difficult to handle. They have been known to break down fences and travel considerable distances. It is a strong recommendation that all stallions are gelded because entire male horses can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Worms:

These horses have high worm burdens and may be lice-infested when captured. KHH will treat your Kaimanawa with a pour on wormer before they are delivered to you. It is imperative to treat your Kaimanawa with a broad spectrum wormer, as soon as possible as your horse will still be carrying a heavy worm burden. Please check for lice and if necessary treat your Kaimanawa.

Costs:

The purchase price is described in the attached application form.

The horse(s) remains the property of Kaimanawa Heritage Horses until paid for in full.

Transport costs are dependent on distance and are payable directly to the transport company; expect to spend approximately $100 to $250 per horse within the North Island.

Approximate handling costs: $500.00 for a foal, $750.00 for a yearling, price on application for an older horse. These are approximate costs and do  not include the purchase or transport costs.

If you have any questions regarding your application please contact:

Email muster@kaimanawaheritagehorses.org.

 Download the KHH Muster Horse application form