Konik horses fighting on Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire. Two wild stallions faced off in a fight for dominance in dramatic scenes in the ENGLISH countr
Konik horses fighting on Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire. Two wild stallions faced off in a fight for dominance in dramatic scenes in the ENGLISH countryside. The incredible photos show rare rival konik stallions sparring and baring their teeth as they reared up on their hind legs on the marshlands of Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire, not far from the university city of Cambridge. Herds of wild horses vanished from Britain 4,000 years ago, so these macho sparring scenes are now rarely seen and remarkable to witness. The snarling stallions kicked and bit each other as they fought for mating rights in the wetlands to determine who would lead the herd. The stallions are usually found on the edge of the group of mares, guarding them against the advances of any unwelcome stallions. It is only during the breeding season that the stallion will step into the fore when challenged by a rival stallion and he will actively herd his mares away from another male. The koniks, which share many characteristics of the now-extinct Tarpan, the original wild horse of Europe’s forests, were imported from Holland to help manage the nature reserve in Cambridgeshire and roam freely across 150 hectares. The primitive Polish breed, which are rarely taller than 13 hands high, are wetland specialists with a hardy and robust character. They are self-reliant and are characterised by a large head, broad body, strong legs and a two-tone blond and dark mane. The herd of around 100 ponies are a great boost for the ecology of the nature reserve, which is one of the oldest in Britain. They help to keep the land open by grazing on weeds, reeds and grass and give plants, birds and insects the chance to settle in an area. The horses also create other habitats such as well trodden paths through areas of long grass, dusty hollows where they roll, water-filled hoof prints and piles of dung. The animals act as catalysts to help attract new species of flora and fauna to the fen. Breeding season for the Kon
Size: 4797px × 3200px
Location: Wicken,Cambs,UK
Photo credit: © Geoffrey Robinson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: bit, biting, cambridgeshire, fen, fens, fight, fighting, horse, horses, konik, marsh, marshland, ponds, ponies, pony, sparring, stallions, water, wetlands, wicken
