They roam the tussock grasslands,
four hundred at last count,
with an annual muster roundup
folk flock to choose their mount.
four hundred at last count,
with an annual muster roundup
folk flock to choose their mount.
The Kaimanawa horses are gentle
yet must be broken in,
for wild they are and flighty
with sweat upon their skin.
yet must be broken in,
for wild they are and flighty
with sweat upon their skin.
The brown, the black, the grey,
with manes that thickly flow,
they pound the dusty ground
not sure which way to go.
with manes that thickly flow,
they pound the dusty ground
not sure which way to go.
Corralled, the horses buck,
fear shines within their eyes
as each one's then selected
as a free and wildling prize.
fear shines within their eyes
as each one's then selected
as a free and wildling prize.
One hundred horses chosen,
three hundred free to roam,
on the grassy tussock plains,
the place they know as home...
three hundred free to roam,
on the grassy tussock plains,
the place they know as home...
Kaimanawa horses are a population of feral horses in New Zealand that are descended from domestic horses released in the 19th and 20th centuries. They are known for their hardiness and quiet temperament. [Wikipedia] Each year they are mustered to keep the population down to three hundred. New owners choose their horse at no cost.
Dora at dverse poets has prompted us to pen a poem about horses. Here's the link: Running with Horses
I love the rhythm and rhyme of your Kaimanawa Horses, Carol. They must be wonderful to see roaming the tussock grasslands.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! The tussock hills are vast with the NZ Army also based in the vicinity. No, they don't shoot the horses ;D Horses are well away from the shooting range.
DeleteCarol, What a beautiful ballad of these wild horses and the annual ritual of choosing one hundred! The mingling imagery of horse and terrain give it an especially piquant appeal.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dora and thanks for the great prompt!
DeleteLovely and informative read. Nice one, thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! :D
DeleteThis reliving of what appears to be a major cultural event put me tight there. I like that the many still get to room free in their natural habitat. I hope the others are treated well. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely comments! Glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteEnjoyed this round-up of the Kaimanawa wild horses...I would not know of these beautiful animals if you had not shared!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynn! :D
DeleteThey look majestic and your lovely write put me right there with them. What a wonderful share, Carol.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Punam, for your kind comments! :D
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