Incredible moment two wild stallions battle each other over a female at a countryside beauty spot is captured on camera
- The wild horses were captured during fighting on the Shropshire Hills earlier this week
Beautiful photos show two wild stallions in a dramatic fight as they fight over a female.
Wildlife photographer Andrew Fusek-Peters, 58, captured the ‘vicious’ fight that unfolded on the Long Mynd earlier this week.
In rare footage taken in the Shropshire Hills, you can see the horses standing on their hind legs as they try to bite each other on the neck.
Mr Fusek-Peters, from Lydbury North, Shropshire, said: ‘I have been going there for ten years and have photographed the wild ponies many times but I have never seen this behavior before.
Wildlife photographer Andrew Fusek-Peters, 58, captured the ‘vicious’ fight
You see the horses standing on their hind legs as they try to bite each other on the neck
The photos were seen earlier this week in the Shropshire Hills of the males fighting over a female
‘I was incredibly lucky to be able to witness what I did.
‘I drove on and screeched to a halt because I saw them driving away and started taking pictures out the car window.’
The photographer said two male rivals faced off in an attempt to show their dominance before clashing for about five to 10 minutes, kicking and biting each other.
The photographer said two male rivals faced off in an attempt to show their dominance
The horses suddenly stopped fighting and resumed grazing after their spit
“It was quite brutal and they were at it for about five or 10 minutes,” he added. ‘Then suddenly it stopped and they just went back to grazing.
“I think it was territorial. It seems they were trying to show their dominance and probably fought over a female.
‘They are a special and symbolic part of the Lange Mynd. They are descended from the last Welsh pit ponies and are therefore very hardy.
‘They are as close to wild ponies as you’ll find in Britain. They are owned by one farming family who, as commoners, have age-old grazing rights on the Mynd.
‘They are allowed to graze 35 ponies and seven foals. There is an agreement with the National Trust.
‘The ponies are an essential part of the Long Mynd’s ecology.’