LEARNING WILD

We are excited to invite you to join us for the first ever Learning Wild course at Wicken Fen, the UK’s first nature reserve and home to more than 100 free-living Konik ponies.

Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve is home to over 9000 species, encompassing over 2000 acres. It is the Nature Trusts first reserve, with a history dating back to 1899. Wicken Fen is a unique remnant of undrained fen, which once covered the vast lowlands of East Anglia. This special environment holds a range of designations including Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Part of the conservation program at the Fen includes the incorporation of large grazing ungulates (horses and cattle) who were once a key part of the natural ecosystem of this landscape and are a critical part of the restoration and regeneration of  the natural ecology of the region. These grazing animals help with the maintenance of the wetlands which helps keep the landscape open for new vegetation, increases biodiversity for plants and wildlife, and promotes the rehabilitation of the grassland areas.

To achieve this goal, the experts at Wicken Fen chose Konik ponies and Highland cattle, two robust breeds, to live on the Fen and assist with the conservation project. Apart from some fences, the ponies and cattle have free range of the Fens, creating rich habitats for other species and cohabitating in the same areas to provide the necessary biodiversity that can only result from two different grazing species. This unique environment also gives animal-lovers the unique opportunity to observe horses living in family groups, freely interacting, playing, and engaging with one another in a variety of habitats and environmental conditions. There are over 100 Koniks at Wicken Fen split into two major groups: One is a breeding group with stallions, mares and youngsters, all free to make their own choices with regards to breeding, friends, and family groups, and the other group is a non-breeding group comprised of vasectomised stallions and non-breeding mares. While there are occasional population management procedures in place, the horses are left to live their lives freely on the Fens.

The Learning Wild course at Wicken Fen provides an incredible opportunity to look inside the lives of feral horses as they live alongside human visitors in this gorgeous nature reserve. With the support and assistance of the horse management team at Wicken Fen, we’ll explore the rich history of the herd, the individuals that make up the social groups at Wicken, and get an exclusive look inside the lives of the horses that live there.

Join Dr. Emily Kieson as she conducts research in the social lives of horses and explores applications to domestic equine welfare and developing stronger friendships with our own horses.


Share the experience and enthusiasm for the observational study of feral ponies with Bonny Mealand who is passionate about enabling others to learn from the richness of this perspective. In addition there will be local experts and representatives from relevant organisations.

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In addition there will be local experts and representatives from relevant organisations.

We invite you to explore thought provoking perspectives on horses, horse welfare, and sustainable horse keeping practices. By learning from experienced experts and
through educational observation and discussions we can explore more about horses, our perceptions of them and how they choose to live when they have the freedom to do 
so.

The learning will be a mix of guided lessons, discussions and individual and/or group observations. We will examine how best to implement what we learn from our studies to
 enhance the health and well-being of domestic horses.