desert horse rare feral horse found africa probably feral herd horses residing africa population ranging desert horse athletic appearance resembling european light riding horses probably descends usually dark color despite harsh environment live horses generally good condition times extreme drought horses subject population studies given significant insight population dynamics ability survive desert conditions origin desert horse unclear theories forward genetic tests performed date completely verified origin likely ancestors horses mix riding horses cavalry horses german breeding programs released farms camps early 20th century especially world war origin horses eventually near location man water source generally ignored humans periodic threat possibility destroying native habitat 1980s aerial survey population traditional grazing land incorporated park points horses removed herd including removal sale population early 1990s close records population kept studies performed determine horses effect environment despite considered exotic species park allowed remain ties country history draw tourist attraction characteristics common color desert horse bay chestnut brown horses gene gray occur breed individuals dorsal stripes colors recorded desert horses athletic muscular clean strong short backed oblique shoulders good horses appearance bred riding horses head skin coat overall good club occasionally seen likely trauma traveling long distances scientists studying horses rate body condition scale excellent poor based mainly estimated weight muscle tone horses tend remain average condition despite harsh environment live generally averaging better condition severe average body score decreases horses found moderate body scores entire population poor condition condition horses directly rainfall available forage temperature distance forage water individual energy expenditures play role studies 1990s found evidence disease population external parasites investigations found internal parasites present small large larvae behavior ecology home range desert horse reaches north usually dry west great bands horses range consisting animals generally observations bands identified including mixture bachelor breeding groups operating stallion groups groups stallion share breeding duties desert horse travels extensively searching food water shelter climate insects study found average home range square miles km2 traversed day cover considerable distances kilometres existing water sources best grazing sources creates severe selection pressure removes weak animals population water desert horse goes water long thirty hours summer known close hours water winter significantly longer horses feral study suggested years genetic isolation water population developed mechanisms improved ability conserve water second study showed water conservation ability differ populations periods hours suggested desert horse improved conservation ability periods extended upwards hours common occurrence feral state horses especially young juveniles provide major food source southern spotted availability food appears significant influence predation rates horses black backed young horses rare harsh environmental conditions live main driver mortality desert horse cause exhaustion large plains animals including mountain sporadically utilized area grazing periods excess rainfall human interference including fencing portions land hunting eliminated significantly reduced movement animals area endangered mountain exist portion park range intersect desert horse genetic testing results published indicated desert horses isolated horse populations world second lowest genetic variation horse populations studied date small founding population generally small modern population smaller periods drought despite large breeding population horses originally descended genetic occurred breed history resulting significant decline genetic variation relatively short period time ideal minimum population size genetic horses current range support population given average rainfall estimates necessary minimum population maintain genetic effectiveness range animals testing showed desert horse oriental horse grouping genetically closest arabian horse association distant closer arabian south african breeds tested pony boer pony pony genetic similarity arabian type horses distant closely resemble outward appearance hot type resulting athletic lean animals blood studies 1990s new variant noted absence blood samples horse breeds indicates presence probably occurred horses established desert history native horse populations origins desert horse trace imported horses theories ancestors desert horse true story known theory says cargo ship carrying australia wrecked near strongest horses swam ashore traveled home desert horse near theory states descend cape horse pony crosses ridden raiders traveling southern africa north likely theory desert horse descending combination escaped south african military horses bred german horses world war horses campaigns south african troops escaped released desert prior time german baron built castle edge held herd approximately horses killed action europe world war farm abandoned leaving horses land relatively close area desert horses desert horse closely resembles horses bred ridden world war era troops horses ridden making story likely genetic evidence study gave descent horses breeding program arabian horse desert horses genetically similar research archives horse breeding operations found combined blood studies suggests animals descended gene pool high quality riding animals opposed work horses study released theory desert horse descending combination european descended breeding stock escaped military horses possible source breeding stock stud farm near leased previously mayor photo albums stud animals markings similar seen modern desert horse addition early fighting world war bombs dropped german aircraft south african camp near ordnance specifically targeted land herd grazing horses purposes scattering escaped army animals joined stock animals lost stud farm turmoil war horses area likely existing places 1970s present desert horses originally forced compete livestock turned loose farmers ground horses competition limited forage horses nearly extinct saved efforts employee mining station filling steam locomotives diesel locomotives took route horses previously survived water pumped locomotives placed danger pumping stopped horses dying petitioned supply horses water installing holding tanks water trough population estimates ranged horses generally averaged aerial count distinguished horses ground based observations estimated animals mid-1980s horses habitat largest game reserve africa expansion park movement remove horses considered exotic species public outcry prevented happening following year horses removed park research purposes use patrol horses national park unsuccessful use gained independence drought southern africa decision reduce population estimated animals june animals captured sold adjust new habitats half died feral population horses horses selected age gender degree genetic relationship removed intent sell auction horses kept holding weeks time aggressive separated auction cancelled horses released range beginning december population counts completed herd numbers ranged animals counts providing population numbers attempts originally horses possible threat habitat protected desert horse likely herd feral horses africa concern quarters horses negative influence habitat competition native species exotic species desert horse generally unwanted park horses special case given close ties history popularity visitors appeal subjects case studies feral horse bands studies found area approximately metres area affected horses significant disturbance area outside radius species vegetation found outside area appear affected rainfall horses probably low population density natural grazing lack affect vegetation horses unlikely significantly influence small populations horses appear affect vulnerable endangered plant animal species cases threatened human influence horses restricted certain grazing area native large horses pose danger species horses originally known local population ghost horses stayed away human rarely seen grazing grounds game reserve policy limited intervention place encouraged support given horses necessary bringing horses closer contact humans included closer contact tourists frequently area near main road traverses grazing grounds horses credited bringing tourist dollars concerns negative horse human interactions including vehicle accidents disruption sensitive areas people looking horses disruption herd dynamics dependent humans
Namib Desert Horse