Key facts
- Germany's last flock of wild horses, numbering around 400, was rounded up for an annual event.
- The roundup takes place in the Munsterland countryside, an area limited to approximately 400 hectares.
- The primary purpose is to separate young stallions from the main herd.
- This separation prevents territorial fights and inbreeding, a practice documented for centuries in the region.
- Young stallions are subsequently sold to individuals who tame them for use as working horses.
A dramatic photograph captures a herd of wild horses surging through the German countryside during their annual roundup. The event, held in the Munsterland region of western Germany, is a centuries-old tradition aimed at managing the population of the country's last remaining wild horses.
Photographer Martin Meissner, who has worked for the Associated Press for over 25 years, documented the herd's arrival at an arena. The roundup is necessary because the limited space of approximately 400 hectares can only sustain about 400 horses. Separating the young stallions from the main herd is crucial to prevent territorial disputes and inbreeding, ensuring the long-term health and stability of the population.
Following the separation, the young stallions are sold to horse enthusiasts who tame them to become working horses. Meissner described the scene as emotional, highlighting the powerful creatures near human civilization and noting the dynamic movement conveyed by their streaming manes.