In Love with the Wild

12/05/2026

This is such an important cause!
If you have ever even considered getting involved and maybe saving the life of even one of these horses, then this is your sign to get involved.
May it be big or small, we can all be a part of the solution to the situation the wild Kaimanawa horses are in, even if you can't directly take on a wild horse yourself.
The fact is that this is not something that you can put to the back of your mind, comfortable with the thought that someone else will give these horses a home. This is not something someone else will take care of, not something that others will just take care of. This is a situation that can only change if people just like you and me take a leap and become a part of the solution 🧡

There is currently no chance of there being enough homes for the upcoming Kaimanawa muster.

With 91 horses targeted to be removed in order to meet the annual target of 149, the reality is that we are already significantly short on homes, and with only two weeks remaining until applications close, we are very aware that we are unlikely to meet the target without a major increase in support.

These horses are incredibly deserving of a second chance. Kaimanawas continue to prove themselves as intelligent, kind, versatile horses, and many of the horses coming through this muster are youngsters with their whole lives ahead of them.

Across the North Island there are currently only 29 trainer spaces available, and KHH has received just two applications so far.

Even if every available trainer space becomes full, we would still be approximately 61 homes short. That means we urgently need homes of any sort, including experienced people with suitable facilities to consider having horses delivered directly to their own properties for taming.

We were already 91 homes short during the April muster and were given a reprieve with the June muster, but at this stage, donations and additional adopters will make the single biggest difference to how many lives can be saved.

Every application, every donation, and every shared post genuinely matters right now.

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Applications for June will close on the 24th May (with no extensions), with 91 horses ending homes. Those in a position to help — whether by rehoming directly, donating, or working with a trainer — are strongly encouraged to come forward.

For more information or to apply visit https://kaimanawaheritagehorses.org/muster-application/

For information about the KLF Initial Handling Subsidy email [email protected]

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To donate and help save a life, visit:
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/149-wild-kaimanawa-horses-149-lives-saved

Or donate directly to the KLF bank account:
KAIMANAWA LEGACY FOUNDATION BOARD
12-3659-0111060-51

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KLF/KHH APPROVED TRAINERS
These trainers are eligible to train subsidised Kaimanawa horses and have spaces for handling or in their workshops.*

AUCKLAND (TWO SPACES LEFT)
Leanne Hackett of Altair Kaimanawa Horses
[email protected]
FOALS OR JUVENILES

HAMILTON
Noa Smythe of Nks Equestrian (1 SPACE LEFT)
[email protected]
FOALS OR JUVENILES

TAUPO
Kelly Wilsonl/Morgan Chandler-Bruce (10 SPACES LEFT)
[email protected]
FOALS, JUVENILES, MARES OR STALLIONS

HAWKES BAY
Nicola Drabble Equestrian (SIX SPACES LEFT)
[email protected]
FOALS OR JUVENILES

MANAWATU
Leah Robson of That Grey Kaimanawa (6 SPACES LEFT)
[email protected]
FOALS OR JUVENILES

*Other trainers may also be considered on request.

11/05/2026

MEET THE KAIMANAWAS!

If you have ever wanted to learn more, support my journey to take on a wild Kaimanawa from this year's muster, then this for you!

We are hosting an open afternoon at our property for anyone keen to learn more, support the saving of a wild Kaimanawa this coming June and meet my residential Kaimanawas who were mustered in 2024.

It is a free event, though donations are appreciated. This is to be held on the 15th of May, from 3-4:30pm.
Please register here: https://events.humanitix.com/meet-the-kaimanawas?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e224_tv2_tp1_a1demo0708orjb&fbclid=IwY2xjawRuZqBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFyTVljWWdiTERKWHJGa0hoc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpMlWdxj1MSG0BzfzNJK4PFF7fKGauYxh01serw9-8hrPmYbsXySNEMzJUUh_aem_FW1pBBSwjq9L1mef7QSDJw

Meet our wild Kaimanawas and their young trainer Lina. Learn about ways you can help or sponsor to save another horse from this Junes muster.

08/05/2026

Charlie showing of his brideless skills! He is still very much in the learning phase but is showing lots of enthusiasm and potential!
He is currently for sale with more information and pictures in my last post.
Check it out!

07/05/2026

FINDING CHARLIE A NEW HOME!

Our gentle soul Charlie has now reached a stage in his training where we feel it is time to find his forever home! Proceeds from his sale will go towards saving a Kaimanawa horses life from this June’s muster.
Please have a read through of Charlie’s description below, he might just be the horse you’ve been looking for!

Charlie, 15.3 hand (home measured), 10-year-old Standardbred gelding.
Charlie came to us four years ago and from experience I can say Charlie is the kind of horse who will give anything a try.
He’s been under saddle for four years now and has gone on plenty of adventures with my teenage daughter. He’s been a smooth horse to take on beach, station, farm and pony camp rides. He’s confident riding out in big spaces and really finds his stride in hacking over the farm or trekking over stations. Charlie enjoys a good canter and is confident riding out with a big group of horses.
He is very light to rein aids and shows incredible softness when ridden.
Charlie has also recently started bridleless training and is showing great potential, if he was staying with us his bridleless training is something we would definitely continue. Though he is still very much in the learning process, his balance, willingness and softness improve a lot every time he is ridden bridle-less. We would love to have him find a home where his softness and willingness is nurtured.
Charlie has experienced being paddocked by himself and ridden out alone. He finds it easy to be tied up, caught in a big paddock, have his hooves trimmed, be wormed and floated. He is barefoot and that has worked very well for us, though he does find very hard surfaces difficult to work on.
We have always ridden him either in a halter or a bit less bridle, and we have never had any issues.
Charlie has an incredibly gentle nature and is the horse we use to give the youngsters confidence. He is in light work at the moment but is super happy to come back into work quickly after a long break.
Reason for selling:
Charlie hasn’t been getting the time and attention he deserves because of lack of time on our end. We would also love to make space for a Kaimanawa coming to us from the June 2026 muster. A good and experienced home is most important to us, so we would be happy to negotiate a price with the right home and people.
More photos and videos are available. We are located in Maheno, North Otago.
Please get in touch for more information or to come and meet him.
Email: [email protected] or flick me a text on 0204310655

You can also come and meet him during our Open Afternoon this coming Friday (15th).
Register below!
https://events.humanitix.com/meet-the-kaimanawas?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e224_tv2_tp1_a1demo0708orjb&fbclid=IwY2xjawRp7BRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWVExxZng0cW9QdkUwY0pLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhQwHOIcbQ59Aks4vnrUCSrryWU1aWwW3NrDIYwpuUJQNXsQEj3g_uStLncI_aem_7y5sI8wdsY2GfXiKXX5MxQ

05/05/2026

KAIMANAWA SPONSORSHIP

In 2024 I took on my first Kaimanawa. It was an incredible experience, and this year, I want to do it again.
But I need your help!

I am looking for a family/individual, who are passionate about saving a horse and want to be part of this rewarding journey.
During the initial handling in the NI I will share regular updates and photos to document the progress and training process.
Once the horse and I are back in the South Island, I would love for you to be involved and witness the further training process live. We would be super happy to have regular times for you to come, learn and be part of the handling. We are super open to the possibility of you taking ownership at a later stage if that was something you might be interested in.

This could also be shared sponsorship by a couple of families.

The costs I need to cover are approx. $8000.
We will need help with $2000 to save one horse’s life.

If you are interested or would like to know more, please flick me an email or send me a text as soon as possible.
Email: [email protected]
Ph: 0204310655

Open Afternoon!
We are also hosting an open afternoon at our property in Maheno, North Otago.
Come and meet me and my Kaimanawas from the 2024 muster, learn more and get involved.
Register here:
https://events.humanitix.com/meet-the-kaimanawas

Photo credit: Kelly Wilson

04/05/2026

If you're interested in supporting a journey of learning, the taming and adoption of a Kaimanawa from this coming muster, please check out the link below and tag someone you think might be the person we're looking for!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ALz6BMh3T/

An intense week of musters in the Waiouru Military Training area has seen 58 wild Kaimanawa horses rehomed and nearly 100 mares given contraceptive treatment – but there's still more to do this year.

04/05/2026

As the June muster comes closer and the end date to get applications in for Kaimanawa's draws nearer, I hope I can bring, even just a little, more awareness to the plight of these wild horses.
I can only speak for myself, but I think there is always something to take away from anyone's personal experience and I hope mine will bring you to have a second, or first, thought about bringing a Kaimanawa into your life this coming June. T
This is part one of my experience taking on a Kaimanawa from the 2024 muster.

Unlike the many equestrians who have been around horses from the moment they were born, I can, almost gladly, say I missed out on about nine years of the lovable madness. Unlike the many riders who have the adorable but slightly worrying early childhood memories of bolting Shetland ponies who seem to have the uncanny ability to slide to a stop right, and I mean RIGHT, before a closed gate. Inevitably causing their little and either terrified or giddy rider to land in a bush on the other side. I can once again say that my early childhood played out a touch differently. Whether for the better or worse, we will never know.

At nine years old I showed my first signs of interest in anything to do with horses. To be completely honest, my younger sister was the first one of us to pluck up the courage to sit on horses at just two years old. It took me at least another five years.
The first pony that became a part of our family was a mare who still lives in our herd, as lead mare to this day. She was a filly mustered from the far reaches of North Land where we were lucky enough to adopt her through the amazing Chloe Phillips-Harris: Adventurer, who does some incredible things for the horses up there.

A few more horses quickly joined our little herd, most of them ex racers who were in need of a home. They are the ones who made advancing, without a whole lot of learning and rethinking, impossible. And they are still the ones who bring me so much joy and inspire, if not very clearly show me, to expand my little box of understanding and horsemanship skills.
The seemingly never ending need to learn and grow to help the horses have the smoothest transition into ridden life, is also I think, a big factor in why I have enjoyed, and become so interested in the wild horses of New Zealand.

In early 2024 our application for a Kaimanawa was accepted and my Mum and I made the long drive up to Taupo from North Otago. We spent about six weeks in Taupo, taking part in an in-depth wild horse workshop, hosted by Kelly Wilson and Hannah Catalino Liberty Horsemanship. On April 29th I met my Kaimanawa filly Kaala, and the rest of the participants who became great friends.

If you're interested in helping to support the adoption of a Kaimanawa from this coming muster, or know someone who might, please check out the post linked below!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ALz6BMh3T/

03/05/2026

This year, as a second Kaimanawa muster has been announced, I would love to make it possible for another passionate equestrian to experience and bring into their life a Kaimanawa. I am always looking for ways to broaden my knowledge and improve my horsemanship, and this year I would like to bring someone along for a part of that journey.
This is a chance to be a part of saving a life and supporting a journey of learning.

We are looking for someone interested in sponsoring a Kaimanawa from this June muster, which would include a lot of involvement in the training journey and could lead to future ownership. This is a sponsorship supporting my dream and passion of horse training, learning and giving one of these beautiful horses a second chance at life.
Please get in touch for more information if this sounds like something you might be interested in!
Contact: [email protected] or send me a text on 0204310655

We are also in the process of organizing an open day (date to be confirmed) where you can meet my previously tamed Kaimanawa mare from 2024 and her foal. An afternoon where you can come, see how we live and keep our horses, find out more, meet us in person and get involved.
More information about this will be posted here soon!

02/05/2026

I was lucky enough to take on a young mare from the 2024 muster, and it has been such an incredible journey with her and her foal. The learning and relationship with her that grew from the decision to take on a Kaimanawa is worth so much.
Please get involved if you can!
📸Kelly Wilson

02/05/2026

A second wild Kaimanawa horse muster has been confirmed for this June!

The April muster fell short by 91 horses of the removal target.
Only 58 horses were removed from the wild and rehomed, this second muster will attempt to rehome the remaining 91.
Homes are urgently needed. If you are in a position to take on one of these beautiful horses or donate to their cause, I strongly encourage you to get in touch with the foundations and charities listed in the post below.

18/01/2026

Someone thinks the new yards are useful!