Dülmen Wild Horses & the annual round-up: the perfect day trip from Brochterbeck

The Dülmen Wild Horses – Germany’s last semi-wild herd

Just about an hour’s drive from Brochterbeck lives a true rarity: the Dülmen wild horses. In the Merfelder Bruch near Dülmen, Germany’s only large herd that roams free year-round – largely undisturbed by people – moves through heath, woodland and meadows. A visit – and especially the famous wild-horse round-up on the last Saturday in May – makes an unforgettable day trip and a highlight of any stay in the Tecklenburger Land.

Germany’s semi-wild herd

Around 300 to 400 horses live in the roughly 350-hectare nature reserve “Wildpferdebahn im Merfelder Bruch” – protected, yet largely without human intervention. They form family bands of related mares and their foals, each led by a lead mare. These hardy, mostly dun-coloured ponies with the characteristic dark eel stripe are among Germany’s oldest horse breeds and were first documented as far back as 1316. Biologically they are not true wild horses – the name reflects their semi-wild way of life.

The round-up – a one-of-a-kind spectacle

On the last Saturday in May, the renowned Wildpferdefang takes place: young stallions are separated from the herd and caught bare-handed – no lassos, no tools – by teams of catchers, then auctioned. This keeps the herd healthy and the breed stable. Tens of thousands of spectators watch the spectacle in the arena. The tradition has been upheld since 1847 by the family of the Dukes of Croÿ, who back then saved the last free-roaming horses from extinction.

Visit all year round

The herd can be seen throughout the year: from the entrance to the reserve, paths lead out to the wide grounds where the horses graze according to the season. The sight of the foals in early summer is especially lovely. The trip combines well with a stroll through the town of Dülmen or a tour of the Hohe Mark Nature Park.

At a glance

• Where: Wildpferdebahn im Merfelder Bruch, Dülmen (Münsterland, NRW)
• Herd: around 300–400 semi-wild Dülmen horses, free year-round
• Round-up: every year on the last Saturday in May
• Distance: approx. 1 hour by car (around 70 km) from Brochterbeck
• Tip: arrive early for the round-up; bring sturdy shoes and binoculars

The perfect base for the trip is our holiday apartment in Brochterbeck: set off in the morning, experience the wild horses and return relaxed in the evening. The map below shows the Merfelder Bruch; the house symbol (🏠) marks the location of the apartment.