Genetic Diversity and Origin of Feral Horses in New Zealand

New Zealand is home to the world`s fourth largest population of wild horses, the Kaimanawa horses. Descended from domestic breeds, they have been adapted to the Kaimanawa ranges over time. With only 174 horses left in 1979 due to various factors, such as unregulated hunting, large-scale farming, and deforestation, the New Zealand government now protects them, maintaining a population limit of 300 through annual round-ups. Led by Dr. Elmira Mohandesan from the University of Vienna, a recent study (Sharif et al. 2022) discovered that Welsh ponies, Thoroughbreds, and Arabian horses played a significant role in shaping the genetic diversity of Kaimanawa horses. With the support of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), Mohandesans research team plans to expand this research by performing comprehensive genomic analysis on around 200 feral Kaimanawa horses, which are expected to be chased out of their habitat by April 2024 (https://kaimanawaheritagehorses.org/muster-information/). This project aims to understand how historical and present population changes affect genetic diversity, inbreeding, and mutational load in Kaimanawa horses. It will also assess different management strategies using computer modeling. This ongoing study provides valuable insights into conserving the unique genetic heritage of the Kaimanawa horses while shedding light on their behaviors and dynamics.