Some 55 Konik horses may find themselves without a home if Nordeast-Fryslân succeeds in banning them from the Lauwersmeer nature reserve.

The Konik horses were moved from their former home in the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve near Lelystad because they had been exposed to the greater burdock, a prickly plant that poses a risk to horses.

But according to Nordeast-Fryslân alderman Pieter Braaksma, the horses are a threat to agriculture in the area. The greater burdock, which is difficult to eradicate, is not present in the Lauwersmeer area and Braaksma fears that the horses are carrying seeds of the plants in their manes.

“They put the problem in our lap and I am not happy about it,” he told local broadcaster Omroep Flevoland.

Braaksma said forestry commission Staatbosbeheer had informed the council of the move on Monday and transported them to their new home on Tuesday. “I would have liked a bit more notice,” he said.

Staatsbosbeheer was told to move 70 Konikhorses in July because it infringed the law on animal welfare. Among other health risks, the greater burdock can cause serious eye problems.  In the end, 55 of the horses were transported to Friesland while the remaining 15 were killed. Removing the plants was not an option, Staatsbosbeheer said at the time.

The animals can stay where they are until December 1. It is not clear where they will go after that.

The presence of deer and horses in the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve has spawned much controversy over the years. In 2018 a massive cull caused social unrest as police put up roadblocks to stop protesters from feeding starving animals. More than half the 5,200 deer, ponies and cattle living on the reserve died that winter – most of which were shot by forestry commission staff.

In 2021, 25 Konik horses were culled because they had got “too used” to people and just two years earlier 50 were transported to Belarus in an effort to control numbers.