Spain’s wild horses can help prevent wildfires but their survival is under threat

Record ID: 1985566

  • Title: Spain’s wild horses can help prevent wildfires but their survival is under threat
  • Date: 25th March 2025
  • Summary: CRECENTE, SPAIN (FILE - SEPTEMBER 10, 2024) (REUTERS) (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF BURNED AREA (SOUNDBITE) (Galician) LOCAL FIREFIGHTER AND NEIGHBOUR OF SAN COLMEDE, CESAR LEIROS, SAYING: “We saw the town surrounded by fire but thanks to the indigenous trees, the clearing we do and the clearing that our animals do, the town was saved.” AMIL, SPAIN (FILE - JULY 13, 2024) (REUTERS)
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Bestas Galicia animals climate change fores fires mountain nature wild horses wildfires
  • Location: VARIOUS
  • City: VARIOUS
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe
  • Reuters ID: LVA003091919112024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:In Amil, Spain, a captivating tradition unfolds as people guide herds of wild horses from the mountains into a fold.
    These wild creatures, known for their spirited nature and the annual "Rapa das bestas" or "shaving of the wild horses," are integral to the cultural heritage of Galicia in the north of Spain.
    During the ceremony, herds of wild horses run down the hills guided by locals, to eventually enter the fold where they are temporarily contained.
    Inside the fold, a unique cultural event takes place. Aloitadores (wrestlers) skillfully wrestle the horses to the ground to trim their manes, tag and vaccinate the animals. This practice not only maintains the health of the horses by preventing parasites but also preserves a tradition deeply rooted in the Galician way of life.
    Xavier Alvarez Blazquez Fernandez, Secretary of the Association of Wild Horses in Serra da Groba, emphasizes the historical significance of these animals. He asserts that wild horses, or "bestas," are valuable not only genetically but also historically, having roamed the land since the Pleistocene era. Despite their importance, they are often misclassified as cattle, overlooking their wild and local essence. People who run the rapas don't make a profit and locals say costs, including vet fees, insurance, fencing, microchipping, and GPS equipment, are multiplying making it more difficult for people to look after the wild animals.
    But the role of wild horses extends beyond cultural significance. In Galicia, wildfires pose a constant threat and the horses are helping stop fires by clearing the undergrowth between the trees.
    In September, the village of San Colmede was spared from a fire thanks to grazing by animals and the native oaks, sweet chestnuts, and birches that burn more slowly, acting as a shield, said firefighter Cesar Leiros.
    Wild horses are often seen grazing on gorse, a highly combustible plant. Their constant grazing helps manage vegetation growth, reducing the risk of wildfires. These animals, revered as "clearing machines," work tirelessly, ensuring that vegetation does not overgrow and contribute to fire hazards.
    (Production: Nacho Doce, Silvio Castellanos, Charlie Devereux)
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