Abstract: Background
Feral horses (Equus caballus) can cause significant environmental damage and losses to
rural industries. Although considered pests, feral horses are also a resource, providing
products such as pet meat for the domestic market and meat for human consumption
for the export market. Control methods include trapping, mustering exclusion fencing,
ground shooting and shooting from helicopters.
Feral horses are mustered by helicopter, motorbike or on horseback, sometimes with the
assistance of coacher horses. Once mustered into yards, net traps or fenced paddocks, the
horses are usually sold to abattoirs for slaughter which can offset the costs of capture and
handling. Less commonly, they are sold as riding horses or relocated to reserves or horse
sanctuaries. Where there is no market for them or where removal may be too costly or
impractical e.g. in conservation areas or remote areas without access to transportation,
horses are sometimes destroyed by shooting in the yards.
This standard operating procedure (SOP) is a guide only; it does not replace or
override the legislation that applies in the relevant State or Territory jurisdiction.
The SOP should only be used subject to the applicable legal requirements (including
OH&S) operating in the relevant jurisdiction.