Full Breakdown
Horses Removed from Rhossili Common After Grazing Dispute
8/21/2026, 10:21:25 PM
Core Event: Removal of Horses from the Coastal Common
All horses that had been grazing the cliffs of Rhossili Common in Swansea were taken off the National Trust-owned land after months of disagreement between local farmers and the Trust. The action follows concerns raised about visitor safety and the number of animals on the common.
Background: A Century-Old Grazing Tradition Meets New Management Limits
Horses have roamed the coastal beauty spot for more than a hundred years, forming a long-standing part of the landscape. The National Trust, which owns the common, announced last year that the herd needed to be reduced to meet a grazing limit intended to protect the area’s ecological health.
Farmers’ Perspective
Rob Morgan, who runs Rhossili Sunflowers and Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, and fellow farmer Nicky Beynon said they experienced increasing pressure from National Trust Cymru to remove the animals. They contend that the decision to take the horses away was not requested by the Trust and that they were left to act on their own.
National Trust’s Stated Reasons
The Trust responded that the removal was its own decision, made after a review of the herd’s size to ensure public safety, animal welfare, and ecological balance. It highlighted incidents involving a stallion that repeatedly escaped through a pedestrian gate, pushing visitors onto the road, into the car park, and toward the nearby village. These incidents were cited as the primary justification for reducing the grazing population.
Outlook and Management Plans
The National Trust said it will continue reviewing the appropriate number of grazing animals on Rhossili Common. Future management will aim to balance the historic presence of horses with the safety of visitors and the health of the coastal ecosystem.
