100 Kaimanawa Horses in 100 Days Project
Join Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation and Kelly Wilson on an urgent mission to save 100 wild horses in just 100 days.
This project aims to protect the most vulnerable Kaimanawa horses from the 2025 Kaimanawa Horse Muster, which is set to halve the southern herd population. With 279 horses targeted for removal, any unhomed horse will be culled. This initiative literally saves lives.
THE MISSION
To save 100 wild Kaimanawa horses in 100 days through a structured taming, training, and rehoming program based at Kelly Wilson’s purpose-built facility in Taupō.
THE TRAINERS AND PROCESS
Horses will be tamed by a team of professional trainers, all of whom have trained under:
• Kelly Wilson, one of NZ’s leading wild Kaimanawa trainers, and Hannah Catalino (USA), who specialises in taking Kaimanawa and Mustang horses at liberty.
All horses will go through their wild horse milestone training system, used for both Kaimanawa and Mustang horses. The team includes experienced New Zealand, Australian, and American trainers who will be under the mentorship/supervision of Kelly Wilson.
THE FACILITY
Kelly Wilson’s Wild Kaimanawa Sanctuary is based in Taupō and has been purpose built to:
• Yard 50+ horses per muster
• Train 20 horses at a time, with three round pens
• Undercover round pen and yards for all-weather taming
• Additional yards, stables and paddocks for tamed horses who have reached the haltering and leading milestones
• Full-time, on-site trainers
• A purpose built obstacle course for training
• Trucks and trailers to train with, to prepare the wild horses to travel to their new homes
• 120-acres of farmland to lead the horses out on adventures.
Every 3-6 weeks, a new group of horses will begin the taming process as previous horses move into training paddocks or homes. This rotation ensures smooth, continuous progress throughout the 100-day project.
DONATIONS
All donations will be paid directly to Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation, a registered charitable organisation.
This partnership ensures:
• Tax-deductible donations for NZ-based supporters
• Full financial transparency via a clear reimbursement system
• Public accountability for how every dollar is spent
The project is overseen by Kelly Wilson, a funding board member of the Foundation, who is volunteering her facilities to ensure extra lives are saved.
WHY THIS PROJECT IS NEEDED
Applications to save Kaimanawa horses are open until April 14, and most applicants require a trained horse. However, training spaces nationwide are nearing capacity. Without immediate intervention, horses approved for rehoming may be left behind simply because no trainer can take them.
By stockpiling and temporarily yarding horses at our Taupō property until training spots become available, we remove that barrier and ensure more horses are saved.
HOW IT WORKS
• Initial Intake (Rotation 1):
18 horses will be trained immediately and sent to their homes within 4–6 weeks.
• Subsequent Rotations (2, 3 & 4):
Additional horses will be stockpiled until space opens up in the training rotation. These horses will require daily feeding and care, incurring higher costs.
• Stockpiling Costs:
Each horse costs $80/week in feed and care. A horse stockpiled for 10 weeks before training will require approximately $800 in feed alone.
WHAT DONATIONS WILL SUPPORT
1. Feed & Care During Stockpiling
• Hay and balage: $80/week per horse
2. Training & Rehabilitation
• Volunteer trainers from NZ, Australia, and the USA, all trained in Kelly Wilson’s liberty horsemanship method
• Funds will cover travel and accommodation for these experienced trainers who are volunteering their time
3. Subsidies for Owners
• Veterinary pool for ulcer treatment, gelding, injuries, or complications during stockpiling
4. Facility Maintenance
• Repairs to yards, fencing, and infrastructure due to wear from 100 wild horses (we are committed to returning the generously donated facilities to their original condition)
5. Public Transparency
• All funds raised, horses saved, and expenses incurred will be recorded in publicly accessible spreadsheets
• Every dollar will be traceable and focused on saving and rehabilitating horses
IF ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE RAISED
• Ideally every horse coming through the program will already have a Kaimanawa Heritage Horses approved home lined up. However, Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation may take ownership of extra horses that do not yet have approved homes if we have excess funds, yarding space, and horses lives are still at risk.
• These horses may require 2–9 months of care and training before being rehomed or sold
• Every $2,500 raised allows a juvenile horse to be rescued and trained
• Every $5,000 allows a mature horse to be rescued and trained
OUR COMMITMENT
This is a public initiative backed by the Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation and Kelly Wilson. These are the public’s horses, and it is only through community support and fundraising that we can achieve this ambitious goal.
Every dollar goes directly to the horses. The land, time, and expertise are already being given—now we need you to stand with us.
Be Part of the Change
This is more than just a rescue—it’s a movement. Together, we can give 100 wild horses the future they deserve.
Join us. Save a life. Make history.
Or direct to the KLF bank account: Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation Board 12-3659-0111060-00
Businesses that would like to get onboard to support this initiative please contact us.
