The horses that have grazed Rhossili Common on the Gower Peninsula for more than 100 years have been removed following a dispute over grazing rights. The decision comes after months of disagreement between the National Trust Cymru and local farmer, Morgan Beynon.
Beynon stated that the horses were removed due to "constant pressure" from the trust. He accused the trust of making "our lives hell the last 18 months" and described the cliffs, a popular tourist destination, as now feeling "empty." He expressed his gratitude to supporters, including the wider farming community in Rhossili.
A spokesperson for National Trust Cymru acknowledged the horses' significance to visitors but clarified that the trust had not at any point requested their removal. The trust had been reviewing the number of horses, as they appeared to exceed an agreed limit set out in the grazing rights. The trust stated it was awaiting confirmation of these rights before determining the number of horses permitted on the common. However, the spokesperson added that if the owner chose to remove all the horses, that decision was entirely his.
Beynon thanked people for their support, calling the situation "very hard." The common land, a scenic spot on the south-west of the Gower peninsula, has now been left without the horses that were a familiar sight for locals and tourists alike.