Wild Horse Management and Control Methods
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Information Sheet 4 of 5
Wild Horse Management and Control
Methods
Introduction roping and trapping in the Alpine to management requires
Wild horses have occupied the National Park. sensitivity, careful planning and
Australian Alps for over 150 years, evaluation.
The true size of the wild horse
since being introduced by early population in the Victorian Alps is
European settlers. expected to be significantly higher Historical management
Despite the strong cultural and than indicated by aerial surveys as Wild horses have been ‘managed’
emotional attachments some these estimates cover less than in the Victorian Alps in various
people have to wild horses in the half the area occupied by wild forms since their introduction to
Victorian Alps, they are an horses and there is no indication the region. Historically, a range of
environmental threat to the area, that the population has stopped techniques including trapping,
therefore land managers such as growing since 2009. Population shooting and roping were used in
Parks Victoria and the Department modelling suggests that the entire the Victorian Alps to control wild
of Environment and Primary Victorian Alps wild horse horse populations.
Industries need to find ways to population is now approximately
8200 – 10 900 horses (ELA 2012). Pastoralists also used mustering
reduce their impacts. and trap yards to capture younger
The current size of the wild horse While it is agreed by Parks Victoria horses for domestication.
population in the Victorian Alps is and the Department of
thought to be the largest it has Environment and Primary
Industries (DEPI) that wild horse Current Management
ever been. The most recent aerial
management is required to Parks Victoria and DEPI are yet to
survey (undertaken in 2009)
manage impacts, population size develop and implement formal
estimated that approximately
and horse welfare, formal management plans for wild horses
2600 – 4300 horses were present
management strategies for the in the Victorian Alps. However
in the surveyed parts of the Alpine
methods and extent of control are Parks Victoria does implement
National Park alone (Dawson
yet to be determined. wild horse control methods within
2009). This represents a
the Alpine National Park. Currently
population increase of It has been argued that because the broad management approach
approximately 21% per annum wild horses “evoke greater animal is to contain and minimise the
since the previous survey, which welfare concerns than most other impact of wild horses east of the
was undertaken following broad- pest animals” the control Benambra-Corryong Road,
scale bushfires in 2003. This techniques available to managers significantly reduce populations
population growth has occurred may be limited (Dawson et al. on the Bogong High Plains and
despite ongoing efforts to control 2006, p.71). The approach taken remove isolated populations from
the wild horse population through
Wild horse exclusion fencing established at The Wild horses trapped at Doolan Plains, 2009 (Parks
Playgrounds to protect alpine bogs, a population of Victoria).
threatened orchids and habitat for the endangered alpine
water skink (Parks Victoria).
other areas, such as the Mt National Park over the past five captured and removed. This will
Wellington area, north of Heyfield. years has been 160 per annum, involve confinement, handling and
which represents less than 25% of transport.
In the Alpine National Park, wild
the annual population increase
horses are controlled through Wild horses are not used to
seen between 2003 and 2009.
roping, trapping and the fencing of human contact and will be
some sensitive areas. Roping Population modelling suggests affected by the cumulative
(sometimes called brumby that to stabilise the Victorian Alps stressful effects of capture and
running) has been a regulated wild horse population at its prolonged handling. The
activity in the Alpine National Park current estimated size (8200 – 10 transportation of wild horses
since 1989 and is currently 900 horses) around 350 – 600 involves additional stress to
contracted to the Australian horses would need to be removed animals, particularly when they
Brumby Management Association annually (ELA 2012). are transported over long
(ABMA) by Parks Victoria. distances. Injuries and stress are
Population modelling can also
most likely to occur during loading
Roping and trapping are provide estimates of the number
and unloading operations.
undertaken in the eastern Alps by of horses that would need to be
the ABMA under a contractual removed to achieve ‘target’ Due to the potential stress and
arrangement with Parks Victoria. population sizes. For example, risk of injury during capture and
Parks Victoria undertakes trapping modelling suggests that to return removal, the Model Code of
to remove horses from the the population size to 2001 levels Practice suggests that a more
Bogong High Plains and emergent (around 5000 horses) from the humane option may be to
populations in other areas. All current estimated population size euthanase wild horses where they
horses captured as part of the (8200 – 10 900 horses) that are caught (Sharp and Saunders
Bogong High Plains trapping around 1500 – 1900 horses would 2008).
program are offered for re-homing need to be removed annually for
No matter how wild horses are
(donation to carers on private five years (ELA 2012). Once this
captured, they will need to be
properties) through an population size is reached
either: relocated to a horse
arrangement with the Victorian approximately 900 horses would
sanctuary or reserve, re-homed,
Brumby Association (VBA). Horses need to be removed each year to
sold individually for domestic use,
removed from other areas are maintain the population at this
sold for consumption or put down.
either: re-homed, sold at saleyards level (ELA 2012).
Due to the often old age, poor
or taken to abattoirs.
conformation and wildness of
There is evidence that illegal wild Animal Welfare captured wild horses many are
horse removal activity still occurs Animal welfare and the unsuitable for re-homing and may
within the Alpine National Park ‘humaneness’ of control methods be sent to abattoirs. It is worth
and surrounding State forests. are central issues in wild horse noting that an estimated 30 000 –
While a reduction in wild horse management. All active control 40 000 horses are sent to abattoirs
numbers is required, it is highly methods will have some degree of for slaughter every year, with
undesirable in an unregulated impact, stress and risk of injury to around 20% of these being wild
form as welfare issues and the wild horse. In order to horses and the remaining 80%
environmental impacts cannot be minimise suffering, the most being domestic and race horses
monitored. humane options available must be (DAFF 2011).
Aerial surveys indicate that the employed. It is argued that due to the issues
wild horse population has Victoria has a range of legislation, presented above and logistical
increased rapidly at approximately Codes of Practice and Standard constraints re-homing has limited
21% per annum between 2003 Operating Procedures to protect use and is impractical for wide-
and 2009 despite ongoing efforts the welfare of captured wild scale control (Dobbie et al. 1993;
to control the population through horses and ensure they are Sharp & Saunders 2008). However
roping and trapping in the Alpine treated humanely. re-homing may form part of an
National Park (Dawson 2009). integrated management program.
If a wild horse control program
The average number of wild involves non-lethal techniques,
horses removed from the Alpine wild horses will need to be
Costs Associated with Evaluating Suitable No Control
Wild Horse Control Control Methods ‘No control’ would mean taking no
Wild horse management is The selection of control methods action to control current and
expensive particularly when should be rigorous, transparent future populations of wild horses
populations are large and remote and systematic. in the Victorian Alps. Aerial
and the chosen control program is surveys indicate that wild horse
In accordance with the Model populations can grow at a rate of
labour and time intensive.
Code of Practice for the Humane 21% per annum, despite control
The costs of taking no action are Control of Wild horses, Parks programs being in place. If no
also substantial and include Victoria will use the following control is undertaken the wild
management of environmental criteria to analyse the various wild horse population is likely to
impacts (which are sometimes horse control methods: continue growing at a rapid rate.
irreversible), repair of assets and Due to the negative impacts of
• Humaneness of the method
visitor safety. wild horses, the lack of natural
• Safety of those involved and
Costs of control will vary greatly predators and statutory
the general public
with different methods and will requirements and obligations, not
• Effectiveness of method controlling wild horses in the
depend on factors such as
personnel, equipment and time • Logistics – terrain, equipment Victorian Alps is not an option.
required; number of horses etc.
removed; fate of horses; and • Environmental impacts Roping
environmental impacts (and • Social acceptability of the Roping (sometimes called brumby
associated restoration). Research technique running) involves chasing wild
and monitoring costs as well as • Cost-effectiveness horses on horseback, capturing
communication and education them with a rope and leading
Each method must be considered
programs should also be taken them to where they can be loaded
specifically in the context of the
into account. onto a vehicle and removed.
Victorian Alps.
The monetary value of economic Muzzled dogs may be used under
A wild horse management strict permit to locate wild horses
impacts caused by pest animals
program may involve but are not used for capturing or
can be easily estimated using
implementing an integrated loading. Horses may be held by
market values. Environmental,
program that includes a rope for up to 24 hours before
social and cultural impacts
combination of several control loading.
however, generally occur outside
methods.
the market system and their value Roping undertaken through the
cannot be easily quantified in ABMA contract is currently one of
monetary terms.
Wild horse trap yards established on the Bogong High Wild horse exclusion fencing established at The
Plains to capture wild horses lured to the trap using salt Playgrounds to protect sensitive species and communities
(Parks Victoria). (Parks Victoria).the main control techniques In areas of limited water sources, dispersed populations in remote
employed on Parks Victoria yards erected around watering and difficult terrain.
managed land. points are considered to be the
Fertility control methods are still
most effective technique. The use
under development in Australia
of other lures is more effective in
Mustering areas of abundant water sources
and are not currently in a form
Active Mustering of wild horses is that can be delivered effectively to
such as most of the Victorian Alps.
a method that uses horse riders, large, dispersed wild horse
motorcycles and/or helicopters to Trapping is currently used in the populations, such as those in the
gather and encourage mobs Victorian Alps. It is considered to Victorian Alps. Even if logistical
towards concealed winged fences be a humane control method, but issues were overcome, it would
that lead into a large yard. has limited application for large- not necessarily replace
This method enables a large scale reduction of widely conventional control methods, but
number of wild horses to be dispersed horse numbers. may be effective in the future to
captured in one event, although stabilise a population of horses
there is a danger that wild horses that has already been reduced by
Fertility Control some other form of control.
which escape mustering can
Fertility control is a passive, non-
become accustomed to Advancements in fertility control
lethal option for horse control.
helicopters and/or horseback may allow it to become a more
There is a range of fertility control
operators and become practical option in the future.
techniques including surgical
‘unmusterable.’
sterilisation, contraceptive
Low-Stress Mustering involves the implants in mares and
Fencing (Exclusion Zones)
installation of large, specifically immunocontraception (uses
The strategic placement of fences
constructed trap paddocks with immune response to disrupt
can prevent wild horses from
strategically located entry points. reproductive function).
accessing and damaging sensitive
Wild horses are moved into the
Surgical implants require the areas. Strategically placed fences
trap paddocks where they are
capture and restraint of wild can also assist with directing
gradually educated to fencing and
horses. horses away from areas where
quietened for handling and
they are difficult to control (such
removal. Low stress mustering Immunocontraceptive vaccines
as rugged terrain) into areas
may involve the use of specially can be delivered using a projectile
where they are easier to control.
trained ‘coacher’ horses to assist syringe or bio-bullet. However,
during musters. need to be administered at close Fencing is a method used for
range (less than 20m) and it is small, fragile areas, often with
Mustering is not a technique that
likely that wild horses would need threatened or endangered
is currently used to control wild
to be yarded to achieve this species, where failure to exclude
horses in the Victorian Alps.
(English 2001). Trials have horses would likely result in
Mustering is considered humane
successfully prevented pregnancy permanent loss of significant
when performed by skilled
in mares in the USA, but the natural values. This method is
operators; however the terrain of
contraceptive is short term and currently being used in the
much of the Victorian Alps and the
needs to be reapplied regularly Victorian Alps in four locations.
dispersed population of wild
(Kirkpatrick & Turner 2008). A
horses reduce the potential Fencing is considered humane, but
single dose of some
effectiveness of this method. is not practical in rough or remote
immunocontraceptive vaccines is
areas and may re-distribute
able to reduce fertility in wild
impacts elsewhere.
Trapping horses for up to four years;
Trapping involves using lures (such however the vaccines must be
as salt, water or mares) to delivered by injection to achieve Shooting
encourage horses to enter trap this longer lasting effect (Killian et Shooting involves hunting and
yards of their own accord. Once al. 2008; Gray et al. 2010). shooting free ranging wild horses,
inside the trap yard a trip wire Fertility control appears to be either from the ground or from
triggers the closure of the entry suitable for a small, confined, the air. Shooting is not currently
gate, effectively capturing horses accessible mob. However it is not practiced in Victoria. Ground and
in the trap yard. a practical or cost-effective aerial shooting are not being
technique for managing large, considered as options forcontrolling Victoria’s wild horses Chemical Immobilisation not being considered as options
as part of the current Chemical immobilisation involves for controlling Victoria’s wild
consultation. the close range delivery of a horses as part of the current
tranquiliser dart into a wild horse, consultation.
Shooting is an active, target
specific, lethal control method. It effectively immobilising it. The No single method is likely to
may involve ground shooting to wild horse is then approachable effectively control wild horse
remove isolated wild horses or and able to be euthanased with an activity in the Victorian Alps. In
aerial shooting for rapid large injection of barbiturates. national and international case
scale culling operations in difficult This technique is not practical or studies, a variety of methods are
terrain or a combination of both. cost-effective for large-scale used, including mustering,
control. trapping and aerial shooting.
Ground and aerial shooting can be
effective, humane methods when: An integrative approach within an
• carried out by skilled, Summary adaptive framework of monitoring
experienced shooters using and evaluation will be required for
Aerial surveys indicate that the
appropriate firearms and the effective management of wild
wild horse population in the
ammunition; horse impacts.
Victorian Alps has grown rapidly
• the animal is within close since 2003 despite ongoing efforts
range and can be clearly to control the population. References
seen; Dawson, M.J. (2009). Aerial survey of feral
Formal strategies for the
• the correct shot placement is management of wild horses in the horses in the Australian Alps. Report
used; and prepared for the Australian Alps Liaison
Victorian Alps are yet to be Committee. Online:
• wounded animals are killed developed. Parks Victoria [http://www.australianalps.environment.g
quickly (Sharp and Saunders currently implements wild horse ov.au/publications/research-reports/
2008). pubs/2009feralhorsealpssurvey.pdf].
control within the Alpine National
Ground Shooting Park using roping, trapping and Dawson, M.J., C. Lane and G. Saunders
(eds) (2006). Proceedings of the National
Ground shooting involves hunting exclusion fencing as control Feral Horse Management Workshop—
and shooting free ranging wild methods. Canberra, August 2006. Online:
horses. Ground shooting is [www.invasiveanimals.com/downloads/Fer
All active wild horse control alHorse_web.pdf].
generally used for removing a few
methods will have some degree of
wild horses from an area, i.e. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and
impact, stress and risk of injury to Forestry (DAFF) (2011). Online:
horses that cannot be mustered or
the wild horse. Horse welfare is a [www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/meat-
trapped, or for sick or injured wool-dairy/ilg/industries/horses].
critical issue and in order to
horses. It may be appropriate in
minimise suffering, the most Dobbie, W., D. Berman and M. Braysher
open, accessible country but is humane options available must be (1993). Managing Vertebrate Pests—Feral
considered labour intensive and Horses. Australian Government Publishing
employed. Service. Canberra, Australia.
impractical where large-scale
control is required or in rough The selection of control methods Eco Logical Australia (ELA) (2012).
terrain. should be rigorous, transparent Modelling wild horse population trends in
the East Victorian Alps. Prepared for Parks
and systematic and consider: the Victoria.
Aerial Shooting
humaneness of the method; the
Aerial shooting is an active lethal English, A.W. (2001a). A Report on the
safety of those involved; management of feral horses in NSW
control method that is conducted effectiveness; logistical national parks and reserves. Online:
from helicopters. It is considered
requirements; environmental [http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/res
to be an effective method where ources/pestsweeds/englishReportFinal.pdf
impacts; social acceptability and
lethal control is desired and where cost-effectiveness.
].Gray, M. E., D. S. Thain, E. Z. Cameron and
numbers are high. It allows L. A. Miller(2010). Multi-year fertility
reduction in free roaming feral horses with
shooters to locate and get in close Wild horse control methods
single-injection immunocontraceptive
range to the wild horses (even in include: roping, mustering, formulations. Wildlife Research. 37: 475-
difficult terrain) quickly pursue trapping, fertility control, 481. Killian, G., D. Thain, N. K. Diehl, J.
and kill wounded animals. exclusion fencing, ground Rhyan and L. Miller (2008). Four-year
contraception rates of mares treated with
shooting, aerial shooting and
single-injection porcine zona pellucid and
chemical immobilisation. Ground GnRH vaccines and intrauterine devices.
shooting and aerial shooting are Wildlife Research. 35: 531 – 539.Kirkpatrick, J.F. and J.W. Turner, Jr. (2008). Achieving population goals in a long lived wildlife species (Equus caballus) with contraception. Wildlife Research. 35: 513- 519. Sharp, T. and G. Saunders (2008). Model code of practice for the humane control of feral horses, NSW Department of Primary Industries.
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