THE AXIOS FERAL HORSES - Agrobiodiversity-Net

THE AXIOS FERAL HORSES (2008-2012)
The feral horses of Axios’ river are an important part of the regional fauna that
additionally attract the tourist’s attention. Due to the modernization of the agriculture
the domestic horses of this area were left free, since they were not necessary for the
ordinary work in the fields. The horses used to wander around the banks of Axios’
river, where they found fertile ground and shelter to multiply their population,
resulting after more than 5 decades in a robust trunk horse, the “Axios horse”, which
has a very uniform conformation, medium height and phenotypic characteristics
derived mainly from Thessalian, and Pindos ponies (and maybe from Thoroughbreds).
However the local farmers complain that the horses damage their cultivations,
especially during the periods of the river’s flood, when the horses are moving
elsewhere for food and shelter.
The Greek Society for the Protection and Preservation of Indigenous breeds of
Domestic Animals “AMALTHEIA” executed a “SURVEY REGARDING THE POPULATION
AND THE BEHAVIOUR OF AXIOS FERAL HORSES” in 2008 for SAVE FOUNDATION.
The Survey was financed from the Greek Ministry of Environment through the Axios –
Loudias – Aliakmonas Management Authority. The main aim of this project was to
monitor the status of these horses and motivate the local community to accept their
existence.
Our research activities included count of the total horses’ population and the
population of each herd using binoculars, and photo cameras from the ground and
from the air with helicopter. Also were monitored the preferred locations where the
horses use to gather, mate and reproduce, and were also assessed the social
behaviour of these horses within their herds, the age range and sex distribution of
the horse population and the rate of their multiplication. The foals and nursing mares
and the elderly horses of each herd were counted. The Survey has been continued
informally to this day by “AMALTHEIA” in order to monitor any changes in the status
of the equine population.
Conclusions
• The total equine population in Axios region in 2008 was 67 individuals, i.e. 34
males, 14 females, 7 of non-identified sex and 12 foals, forming 4 reproductive
groups, 1 bachelor group and 3 isolated individuals (1 captured). In the years
following the 2008 Survey, the population diminished resulting today in 40 horses
i.e. 23 males and 17 mares forming two big distinguished groups. The east bank
group included most of the bachelors. The west bank group is still in equilibrium.
• The area where the horses live is restricted by natural and man-made obstacles
(channel, river, fences) and by the expanded edible flora and salted areas.

• Extended degradation of the natural environment is caused by the existence of
illegal farm premises, where considerable number of animals is kept, the old wire
fences, and the contamination of the river by garbage. The large population of
imported cattle in this area is the main cause of soil deterioration due to
overgrazing and depression from their footmarks. Big tractors and trucks entering
the area further destroy the environment.
• However the good nutritional status of the horses throughout the year shows that
the deterioration of the pastures mainly affects the cattle, which are multiple in
numbers (more than 1700) in comparison with horses.
• The majority of the equine herds, due to lack of suitable land, are forced to share
partly their territories and pastures showing that their population is on critical state,
because otherwise each stallion would prefer to keep his herd out of the reach of
his competitors. This phenomenon is now more intense than 4 years ago.
• Unusually large number of carcasses and skeletons of horses and cattle have been
founded in the area. The local Veterinary Service has isolated the lethal bacterium
Bacillus “anthrax” from some of these carcasses. Due to the outbreak of anthracosis
in the livestock of the area, strict sanitary measures should be followed as the
burning or deep burying of the cadavers and the vaccination of the ruminants and
the equids every spring. Unfortunately, no action has been taking place in the last 5
years.
• The main causes of death seem to be injuries and the anthracosis.
• However the main reason for the horse population decrease must be the capture
and withdrawal of females from the region.
• The existence of carnivores (wolves etc.) does not seem to affect significantly the
population of the horses.
• Conclusively, it is vital to follow a rational administration of the Axios Delta region,
NOT ONLY because the population of the feral horses is on critical level.
• The Axios delta is part of a National Park, a Natura 2000 area, protected by the
Ramsar convention with 277 species recorded.
• Amaltheia has proposed the necessary measures to prevent further deterioration
of the environment, contamination, decrease of the horses’ numbers and horse
migration to cultivated areas.
• However the situation since 2008 has only changed to the worse. More illegal
fences, restriction of the natural habitat of the horses, more carcasses exposed and
now due to the rise of fuel prices the river bank forest is in danger.
“AMALTHEIA” is committed in the continuation of monitoring the status of the Axios
Delta feral horses in order to inform the authorities and provide for their welfare.