Feral horses - the new symbol of the Rhodope mountain

The population of free roaming horses in the Eastern Rhodopes has increased with 16 young horses this spring. So their total number is now over 70.

The first 12 horses were brought to the area of the abandoned village of Sbor, Kardzhali area, Southern Bulgaria, in September 2011 from the Netherlands. In the autumn of 2013, a second herd of 29 horses was brought and placed in the area of village of Boynik, Kardzhali area.

The two herds have successfully adapted to the nature of the Eastern Rhodopes. The horses cope with cthe old winters and hot summers, find food on their own and survive from wolf raids. In just a few years the number of horses has doubled.

Feral horses play a huge role in preserving the wildlife and biodiversity of the Eastern Rhodopes, maintaining the open landscape of the region. They are also a tourist attraction and gradually become the new symbol of the Rhodopes.