Wild horses
Wild Horses of Livno – Guardians of Freedom on the Kruzi Plateau
There are scenes in nature that remain forever engraved in memory. One of them awaits you on the plateaus above Livno – herds of wild horses, free and proud, galloping across the vast landscapes beneath Mount Dinara.
Horses – from ancient steppes to symbols of freedom
The first ancestors of the horse appeared over 50 million years ago, while today’s horse (Equus ferus caballus) took shape around 4 million years ago. Horses were domesticated some 5,500 years ago on the Asian steppes, becoming man’s most important ally in work, war, and travel.
Throughout history, the horse has symbolized strength, endurance, and freedom – a creature carrying the spirit of motion and untamed nature. And although most horses now live alongside humans, millions still roam the world freely.
Wild horses around the world
Today, there are an estimated 2 to 2.5 million free-roaming horses worldwide:
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Mustangs in North America – descendants of Spanish horses, today the symbol of the Wild West.
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Brumbies in Australia – descendants of horses released into the wild by settlers.
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Przewalski’s horse in Mongolia – the only truly wild horse never domesticated.
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Smaller herds in Europe, mostly in fenced reserves or protected areas.
But only a few places remain where horses live in complete freedom, without fences or human control.
Livno’s wild horses – Europe’s largest herd
On the plateaus above Livno, between the mountains of Cincar, Kamešnica, Dinara and Tušnica, roams one of the largest wild horse herds in Europe. Their story began in the mid-20th century, when mechanization replaced horses in farming and transport. The locals set them free – and nature did the rest.
Today, there are over 800 wild horses, making this the largest natural habitat of wild horses in Europe. Unlike many other herds, often kept within reserves, Livno’s wild horses live in complete freedom on open pastures and mountain springs.
When to visit and what to experience
📍 Locations: Kruzi plateau, Cincar mountain, and the foothills of Dinara.
🌱 Spring (April – June) is the most dramatic season – stallions clash for dominance and the favor of mares. These powerful battles create spectacular scenes, loved by photographers.
🌅 Best time of day: early morning, when they are most aggressive, or at sunset, in the magical “golden hour.”
☀️ Summer: calmer herds with their foals, grazing peacefully.
🍂 Autumn & winter: snowy plateaus and the raw fight for survival – like a nature documentary.
Why visit?
The wild horses of Livno are not just a tourist attraction – they are a symbol of freedom, resilience, and untamed nature.
✨ Stand before them, feel the ground tremble beneath their hooves, and you will know you have witnessed something unique – freedom in its purest form.