New Zealand

    Like Australia, New Zealand has no indigenous horses and they were first imported toward the end of the 18th century.  Much of the original stock came from Australia.
    Thoroughbreds are raised and raced extensively, and many fine animals are produced, particularly those of island ancestry.  Arabians are popular and are bred at various studs throughout the islands.  The breed was introduced from India in the 1920's with later importations from the Crabbet Park stud.
    The native cow ponies are about 14.2 hands and usually crossbred.  Some of them come from the large herds of feral horses, often of Thoroughbred blood, that belong to the Maoris but run wild in the Lake Taupo district.  Their range and numbers have been affected by government afforestation projects, and since, unlike the Australian Brumbies, the New Zealand versions often make good stockhorses, numbers are caught for this purpose.  The horses may be snared, herded into large stockyards or ridden down with relays of riders.  They gradually catch up on one until it can be thrown and winded, by seizing its tail and galloping off at a tangent.

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