Handlers feared that the horses would be dead or badly injured and vets were called to the scene. But despite their ordeal, they emerged almost unscathed from the wreckage. When freed, they went happily into another trailer for continuation of their journey. In deciding to cull the herd, the Department of Conservation is trying to achieve both. If it was rabbits eating the rare plants there would be no discussion, but because the animals involved are horses, emotions have been heightened.
Many people love horses.
There is a gracefulness about the way they move and they display individual personalities. The herds in the Kaimanawa ranges are also free to roam as they will, and any interference with that is viewed negatively. But stripping the issue of its emotion and DOC can be seen doing the right thing. Since the herd was protected in 1981 its numbers have grown from 200 to 1700, and the animals now roam over 70,000 hectares. Native tussock that once hid a man are no more, and the area contains 16 species of rare or threatened native plants.