For the first time in more than 20 years the biennial Kaimanawa horse muster has been brought forward, raising concerns more horses than usual will be slaughtered.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) has set it for April 26, a month before the usual date at the end of May.
The Kaimanawa Heritage Horses Welfare Society says the only reason they've been given from DoC is the weather will be more settled to muster the horses. However, the society is worried for the mares and foals.
"The foals need to be old enough to keep up with their family band as they're mustered in, and old enough to be able to be weaned from the dams," muster coordinator Simone Frewin says.
"It's really important that very young foals aren't weaned too early as this can impact on both their physical and social development."
Ms Frewin hopes they'll be able to home mares and foals together.
"We're still not exactly sure why, but believe they're hoping for more settled weather conditions."
There are 100 Kaimanawas that need to find homes this muster, and the welfare society says losing a month is "a huge blow".
"I read a quote from a DoC representative this week saying that given all the publicity that Kaimanawa horses have had since the 2014 muster, he's confident that applications for horses will be well underway," Ms Frewin says.
"I wish I could share his confidence."
Helicopters are used to muster the horses (Supplied)
Ms Frewin says they only found out about the date change last Monday and have launched into "panic mode".
Currently there are only two applications pending, meaning another 98 horses still need to find homes.
The muster is undertaken to bring the number of horses down to 300.
In 2014, 147 horses were re-homed and only 15 sent to slaughter.
DoC was unable to be reached for comment.
For further information, visit kaimanawaheritagehorses.org.
Newshub.
