THE WILD HORSES OF AINOS.

 

    Also described as the semi-wild Ainos ponies. There are two schools of thought here, one is that these are not wild horses at all but semi-wild ponies, that owe their existence to the villagers' old custom of keeping herds of horses free on the mountain in order to avoid the cost of feeding them and that they were abandoned in the wild after the Second World War.

 

 

 

    Over the centuries countless domestic horses have escaped or were intentionally released, they formed into small herds and the strongest flourished. Their populations only checked by the supply of food and water Therefore in the scientific sense, these animals are actually domestic horses returned to the wild.

Even free roaming (but not wild horses) can lead a good life up to 25 years or more, provided of course that they are not suffering from any physical disability or disease. They share their territory with many native animals. Years ago there was enough food and water for all. However, due to many reasons, including over felling of trees in the past, as well as numerous destructive fires, times are hard.

    Especially after being left in isolated conditions on the slopes of the mountain. Struggling against adverse conditions, fending and rummaging for food and water. With the lack of natural shelter to protect them from the cold and snows of the winter and the droughts of the summer. Along with inbreeding for over 55 years I personally would call these animals wild - furthermore a pure breed.

 

 The Ainos horses are endangered.

 

    They live on the mountain above the village of Arginia and exist around the area surrounding the Monastery of Zoodohou Pigis ironically called 'The Source of Life'. This once overflowing fountain is Ainos’s one and only freshwater spring and now feeds two huge concrete water butts.

    So the now scant supply of spring water quenches the thirst of sheep, goats, humans and horses alike.
These few horses not only eat much of the food needed and left by farmers for other grazing animals, but they have destroyed much of the plant base over the years in their desperate effort to get enough food.

 

Thus, in an unmanaged state, these horses could have a very negative impact on the ecology of

 Mount Ainos.

Some consider them pests.

 A few have been killed and some even captured.

 

    They belong to a mountain breed of Greek horse that descended from the Pindos breed, which the locals bought from cattle fairs held on the mainland.

 

    There are three Ancient breeds that are now extinct the

 Achean, Thessalonian and Thracian.

 

    The Pindos is a descendent from the old Thessalonian breed and is known for its stamina, allowing it to be used for light work both on the farm and in the forest. They are also used for riding and driving, with the mares frequently used for breeding mules. The endangered Ainos horses differ in their stamina, but are more sure-footed when walking and trotting over the rough mountain terrain. Between 10-12 hands (10cm is 1 hand). They have a tough constitution and have adapted to living on the minimum amount of food. They have a narrow body and have an extremely expressive head with a rich mane and tail. Their colours are bay, grey and black roan which may be of a blue colour with white hairs through the coat and are well spirited, proud and somewhat aloof.

 

Their are 18 left and although still successfully breeding

 they are virtually extinct.

 

    A ruling should be passed to protect, manage, and control wild horses on public and or National Park lands. Furthermore free-roaming horses must be protected from capture, harassment, or death. They are an integral part of the natural system of public and or National Park lands. Also wild horses should be considered similar to the other resource values within the area.

    I would like to see a development for a recreation and viewing area for the public to observe the wild horses of Ainos (including other animal and bird life) in a natural setting.

 

Extracts from Explore Kefalonia by Sue Thompson. A journey around the island of Kefalonia with a modern approach including undated information and maps for 2001.

E-mail:waytogo@otenet.gr

 

 

The Way To Go On Kefalonia

Wild Horse Watch

Sanctuary & Protection Plan

 

Protection of Wild Horses & National Park Plan

Kefalonia & Ithaki's Best Opportunity to help with the Protection of its Environment

^{The Wild Horses of  Mount Ainos}

A great deal of interest has been shown by visiting travellers to the island in the past. Now, more than ever before this enthusiasm and concern shown by all nationalities can be harnessed.  As we are already well aware today's society is being held accountable for the preservation of the environment, including the protection of endangered species, along with all kinds of flora and fauna. Here on the islands of Kefalonia and Ithaki there is an abundance of wild life and indigenous plants and trees. Trees such as Purnari (Keremes Oak) have a protection order on them and great concern has been shown in the protection of the Carreta-carreta turtles along with Monachas-monachas seals. There are feeding and water facilities for stray animals including a small sanctuary. But what about the heritage of this island? The Wild Horses of Mount Ainos that have now started to become a myth! Many of the islanders even believe that the strain has now become EXTINCT and that the government will do nothing to help with their protection.

 The only threat is the islanders themselves:

 

Sanctuary and protection of these horses is not difficult to attain if the correct methods are adopted, used and above all enforced - this being the operative word.

·        Education of the farming community is essential with all objections aired and discussed.

·        Imperative is the provision of self filling watering facilities and shelter with an abundance of a good balanced diet in the winter months. This is possibly the first and cheapest step to be taken.

·        Protection Safaris and nature watch facilities will help make this plan self sufficient in the long term, along with sighting, special identity tagging and naming of each animal with photographs and information at a post for visitors to help spot and identify  - ad infinitum. This alone would take care of any poachers or horse theft.

^{The National Park of Kefalonia & Ithaki}

This wonderful gift which has been left in the hands of not only the Government but the people of this island is not used to its full potential and has for many years and still is most certainly being abused.

1.      Whilst other countries are taking great care and pride in not letting the introduction of the latest technology take over their precious landscape, new technology on top of Mount Ainos is obtrusive and most certainly abusive. New communication systems need aerials and satellites, but these companies world wide are being made to take care in erecting these latest monstrosities by making them look like environmentally friendly objects such as -

 Fir Trees.  - This most definitely needs to be looked into by this Prefecture. 

2.      The Pavilion and lodge on Rudi and Mount Ainos should not be sold off or turned into a museum or such like, but a possible solution should be looked once more into turning this into a self sufficient resort for a all year round project. Which includes the use of alternative activities - once again not just for the visitor but for the islanders themselves.

3.      The use of well defined walks with the introduction of stiles ( A set of steps or rungs in a wall or fence to allow people, but not animals, to pass over) routes for riding on the lower slopes and Rudi  - ad infinitum.

 

 

This very brief outline has been submitted by The Way To Go on Kefalonia and Ithaki. Tel:- 0944.227.913

E-Mail:waytogo@otenet.gr