The future of horses roaming on common land in Rhosili, South Wales, has come under question following a dispute over herd numbers and “risk to public safety”.
Horses currently graze on the cliffs of the Welsh headland, but National Trust are reviewing numbers of the herd as well as requesting the removal of a stallion following complaints from members of the public.
The charity told Your Horse that the stallion in question has been escaping from the common via a pedestrian gate on the public right of way, pushing his way through visitors onto the road, car park and into the village, as well as approaching riders on the common. They said they were concerned for public safety and the horse’s welfare.
“Following complaints about a stallion, which is part of the herd of horses on the common, we have written to the commoner who owns the horse asking them to move it elsewhere due to public safety concerns,” said a National Trust Cymru spokesperson.
“We are also reviewing the number of horses currently grazing on the common, which we believe exceeds the agreed limit in the commoner’s rights to graze. Our priority is to ensure the safety of visitors, the welfare of the grazing animals and the ecological health of Rhosili, we are therefore engaging with the owner of the horses to further understand the number that can remain on the common.”
While the National Trust owns the common land at Rhosili, the management and care of livestock, including the horses, is the responsibility of ‘commoners’, who each have rights to graze a certain number of animals on the land.
The horses’ owner, farmer Nick Beynon told the BBC that removing the animals would be a loss for the community. He said the horses had roamed the area for more than 100 years and his family had been farming land for generations.
He also said fencing was an issue and there was a foot gate that was “not suitable” as it had been a “problem” for people all summer.
The National Trust spokesperson added that they were in conversation with Mr Beynon and subject to the outcome of the check on grazing rights, some horses should remain on the common.
