Wildwood's horses roaming free in Wales

Wildwood's horses roaming free in Wales

Wildwood, Kent's unique wildlife park and conservation charity is proud to announce yet another transfer of Konik horses, this time going to roam in Mid Wales.

The horses have gone to Wildernest; a green tourism and environmental education project run by husband & wife Hugh and Jude Crawford in the beautiful Aeron Valley, Wales. In their new home the horses will live wild and improve the wetland habitat through natural grazing.

This latest transfer, one of many carried out by Wildwood, is another triumph as we strive to improve conditions for wildlife throughout the UK through conservation grazing.

Konik horses are extremely hardy and live well on wetlands eating weeds, reeds and grass whilst boosting biodiversity through light grazing and natural fertilisation. This keeps the land open and encourages more plants, invertebrates and birds to settle in the area. Over the years, Wildwood has bred and distributed hundreds of Konik horses to similar habitats around the UK where they continue to improve conditions for wildlife in a natural and sustainable way.

Wildwood's Chief Executive Peter Smith said "We are delighted to be working with the Wildernest project. The horses are the ideal conservation management tool and will boost the area's biodiversity whilst providing a valuable resource for 'green tourism' and people learning about ecological restoration. We are sure that the horses will be very happy there and will do wonders for the habitat."

Konik horses are just one of the huge range of British animals that can be seen at the Wildwood, near Canterbury, off the A291 between Herne Bay and Canterbury. For more information visit our website at www.wildwoodtrust.org or telephone 01227 712111

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Picture attached of our wild horses enjoying their new surrounding as the Wildernest centre

For more information on Wildwood, Konik Horses or Wildwood's Conservation programmes, contact Fiona Paterson or Peter Smith

e-mail:   

fiona@wildwoodtrust.org

peter@wildwoodtrust.org

Tel:          01227 712 111

www.wildwoodtrust.org

Peter Smith
Chief Executive
Wildwood Trust

Herne Common

Herne Bay

Kent

CT6 7LQ
Registered charity no 1093702

Further information on Konik Horses

Wildwood Trust & Kent Wildlife Trust pioneered the re-introduction of these amazing animals to the UK in 2002. The two Kent based nature conservation charities brought the first ever of their breed to arrive in southern England and these horses and their offspring have been helping to restore some of the most precious national nature reserves across the UK.

The Konik horse is the closest living relative of the extinct Tarpan, the wild forest horse that roamed Britain in prehistoric times. The horses are the last descendants of the true wild horse of Britain and Europe and have survived centuries of persecution and even squads of Nazis sent to kidnap them for genetic experiments.

Konik horses show numerous primitive features, associated with their ancestor, the Tarpan. They are resistant to harsh climates and severe weather conditions, hence their extensive range. They are very fertile and can produce numerous offspring in their lifetime. As they are adapted to foraging in the wild, they can live on a limited amount of food and have an extremely resilient immune system. They are very intelligent, allowing them to adapt their diet according to season and food availability. Konik horses do not require horseshoes as their hooves are naturally self-trimming, breaking off as they become too long.

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