The first horses were introduced to New Zealand in December 1814 by Samuel Marsden. (location unknown). The first wild horses recorded in the Kaimanawa mountain region was in 1876. (numbers unknown).

It has been said a Exmoor was released in the area around that time. Other breeds which have been mentioned are the Comet breed and local domestic stock.

The kaimanawa wild horses are renowned for a quiet, inquisitive nature and many of them have classic Comet and Exmoor characteristics which are clearly visible today. lt is also said these horses strongly resemble the New Forest ponies, and Welsh breeds, with a Arab stallion being thrown in sometime in the 1960s. They have been scientifically compared to the Zebra, Assuteague ponies and the wild mustangs.

Part of what makes these horses so special is that they are a truly wild herd as they have had little interference by man.

The Kaimanawa wild horse has to withstand a harsh climate and has adapted to these conditions very well.

To our knowledge there is no documented proof that this particular herd has been introduced and have not evolved here on their own.

In 1981 the Kaimanawa wild horses were given a protected status under the "Wildlife Order (No.2)". From then numbers gradually increased. (since then the protected status has been lifted, KHBSI)

Now, it is unknown what the fate of the Kaimanawa wild horses will be. It is thought by some that after the round-up of 1200 horses that too few will be left in the wild to maintain the gene pool.