horse horses population feral horses new_zealand descended domestic horses released 19th 20th centuries known quiet temperament new_zealand government strictly controls population protect habitat live includes endangered species plants varying heritage gives breed wide range heights body patterns colours usually sure tough horses reported range horses brought new_zealand feral grew horses escaped released sheep stations cavalry bases members herd recaptured locals use riding horses caught meat hair hides herd declined large scale farming forestry operations ranges horses known exist herd protected new_zealand government horses herd small population exists northern tip carried annually manage size herd removing horses altogether population listed herd special genetic value studies conducted herd dynamics habits breed history horses introduced new_zealand protestant missionary reverend december wild horses reported central new_zealand breed descended domestic horses released late 19th century early 20th century middle mountains major imported crossed local stock produce pony later crossed welsh imported sir breed known resulted point 1870s released stallion plains apparently wild population horses added escapes releases local sheep stations cavalry units threatened epidemic thought 1960s released arabian stallion region 19th 20th centuries horses harvested feral riding stock horses meat hair hides originally land owned native intensification large scale farming forestry operations combined increased decreased need stock horses horses today highest genetic similarity cross breeds pressure land development human population reduced range number horses found horses remained starting population range size herd movements began officially measured protected area formed breed legislative protection similar native species rapid increase herd size following protection breed horses known exist area small population horses northern tip new_zealand government focus novel called princess breed characteristics characteristics type said shown horses today varied gene input produced wide range sizes colours body types wild horses breed varies widely general appearance heights ranging hands inches high coat colour pattern marking acceptable usually feral way life given ability adapt quickly live little usually sure tough medium sized head good proportion body wide variation shape different ancestors horses short deep neck thick throat area straight shoulders deep short medium vary sloping rounded legs long strong hind generally smaller ones horses considered age year august regardless actual date population control study increase population protective legislation place developed management plan herd draft plan available public comment public clear objected herd reduction shooting helicopters instead favored horses remaining alive removed herd core animal welfare groups felt shooting humane option trial conducted successful costly limited demand captured horses working party established look management herd aimed decide organization charge long term management ensure treatment horses humane preserve control best attributes eliminate impacts conservation priorities goals included ensuring welfare horses protecting natural ecosystems features herd impact keeping herd sustainable level ecological objectives included ensuring horse adversely affect endangered rare significant plants ensuring herd ecosystems lives preventing herd spreading national park herd objectives included ensuring public safe horses allowing improving public access herd ensuring humane treatment horses reducing conflict herd ecological values land uses ensuring herd contained population tolerated ecosystems live maintaining minimum effective population general free ranging carried annual muster herd population target level horses target reduced horses stages starting horses taken directly slaughter placed holding farms later slaughter adoption private homes main reason strict population control protect habitat live habitat includes plant species listed endangered plants include herbs grasses flowers rare grass vulnerable possibly locally extinct sand iris population removed horses herd largest beginning program homes found horses removed conservation horses important matter public new_zealand minister conservation received public comments horse subject period requests information letters received public interest peaking program population reduction shooting scheduled begin implementation public opposition shooting cancelled large scale muster adoption program began horses removed range adopted reducing main herd reducing range total horses removed range injury resulting death horse known occurred lists horses herd special genetic value compared groups feral horses wild free living special value low rate interaction humans lack interaction result herd wild fewer domestic characteristics special interest researchers students studied population horses learn habits herd dynamics study found horse highest herd hierarchy mate herd females differs feral horse stallion mates
Kaimanawa horse