My mum says I can get a Kaimanawa from the muster so i want to go choose one from where they muster them. When will they do it & where do I go? My friend would like to come too. She want to take photos.

Hello Corine, Although the muster might sound like an exciting place to be, it is not. Remember that DoC muster these horses to remove them from their natural homes. In the muster process all the horses are herded (mostly by helicopter) into pens, the musterers then proceed to split the horse into groups of young, old, male and female. The older horses are then consigned to be slaughtered. The young foals are separated from their mothers and a lot of the mares( many in foal) are also slaughtered. Usually the younger foals, yearlings, and perhaps two year olds can be sent to homes. DoC do not let people in to the area as there is always the danger of someone being hurt, and also it is on army land. If you would like to take photos of the horses in the wild DoC have a once yearly trip into the Kaimanawa Ranges which you can go on. This Welfare Trust is trying very hard to find alternative humane methods of controlling the horse numbers by contraception. Hopefully if that system is implemented the whole inhumane mustering/slaughtering methods will become obsolete. But get that camera out and take some photos of any Kaimanawa horses you know and enter into our photo competion, good luck

Thanks Marilyn. I didn't think it would be that awful We don't have any Kai horses so I don't think my friend will be able to take any photos. I'm saving my pocket money & Mum says I can get a horse when I'm older & I really want a Kai cuz they r cool!

Hi Corina,unfortunately you will not be able to go to a muster, so keep saving your pocket money. I agree Kaimanawa horses are really cool. When you are ready, you can get your mother to put in an application to get a Kaimanawa from a muster. You will need to get two references from people who know how well you can handle a horse, and then you will have a property inspection to make sure you have the right sort of fences, and grazing, and if you are lucky you may get a wonderful Kaimanawa as your friend.

i did want 2 go 2 a muster but i don't have any land and it would probably have 2 live at mi nana & grandads house cuz they have sum land.

it is sad wat they do 2 mares in foal just think it never got a chance in life.