Wild horse wrangling attracts thousands of visitors in northeastern Germany

The town of Dülmen, located in the Teutoburg forest, is well-known for its equine tradition. The horses here are known as the Dülmen pony - a prized breed and also Europe's last remaining wild horses. The animals are left to themselves most of the year across the 360-hectare site at Merfelder Bruch.

The equine event attracts about 15,000 visitors each year. Dating back to 1907, the round-up is intended to help manage numbers, while the auctioning of the animals is meant to finance their upkeep The breed of wild horses found in Dülmen is said to be easily domesticated.

Local farmers take the day off to participate as horse wranglers. Their first task is to separate the mares from the stallions. The youngest male horses are then led to the next stage of the event, where they are rounded up and chased around, while those that are caught are sold at auction later on.

The wild horses at Merfelder Bruch are caught by hand, using a humane technique taught by veterinarians. In the past, the horses used to be pulled down by their necks - a practice, which was criticized by animal rights advocates. The trapping of the animals helps with preservation efforts, not only by managing numbers but also by limiting inbreeding.

The annual event in Dülmen isn't only about the wild horses. Other animals occasionally get to feature as well. This year, a man performed this entertaining stunt with his dogs. And of course, there's also the usual summer festival atmosphere with sausages, fries and lots of beer.