If you have ever considered taking home a Kosciuszko wild horse, this is your chance. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is offering wild horses removed from the park to the public.
Since 2002, we have rehomed over 1,500 horses from Kosciuszko National Park. With your help, we can rehome more.
The rehoming requirements and application form have been updated
We are committed to continually improving our wild horse control operations to ensure optimal animal welfare outcomes. As a result, the rehoming requirements and application form have recently been revised with advice from independent animal welfare experts and RSPCA NSW. The changes aim to help ensure that wild horses rehomed from the park go to good, long-term homes.
All new and past rehomers will be required to complete a new application form. This means that previously approved rehomers from 2020 and 2021 will need to reapply to receive wild horses and meet the revised rehoming requirements.
Rehoming is an important commitment
We are seeking good, long-term homes for horses removed from the park. These animals have received no training, handling or veterinary care and are unfamiliar with the human-built environment. Before submitting an application to us, please take the time to consider whether you have the necessary skills, facilities and resources (both money and time) to adequately care for and train a wild horse.
Rehoming remains a priority
The Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan was adopted by the Minister for Energy and Environment on 24 November 2021. Under the new plan, the National Parks and Wildlife Service will continue to prioritise passive trapping and rehoming, where it leads to the highest animal welfare outcomes. Where this is not practicable, or approved homes do not exist for horses removed from the park, the plan provides a range of other control options subject to strict conditions which ensure the highest animal welfare outcomes are met.
How to apply
Full details of the rehoming program, including the revised rehoming requirements and application form, are available on the department's website.
Wild horses will be available for rehoming from February 2022 until the end of the year. Interested individuals and groups will need to meet the rehoming requirements and complete the application form to receive horses. Once approved, applications remain valid for 12 months.
Please ensure you complete all questions on the application form and submit the requested supporting information. That way, we can process your application and, if approved, get your horses to you as soon as possible.
You need to apply for a minimum of 5 horses if you would like to receive wild horses from National Parks and Wildlife Service. However, for those who would like to take home a smaller number, please contact the approved rehomers that will be listed on our website (keep checking back because the list will be updated regularly). Let them know you are interested in rehoming a horse and find out what they have available.