The Wild Horse Catch

On the last Saturday in May, it gets crowded in the Merfelder Bruch near Dülmen. The spectators in the sold-out arena wait in suspense for the arrival of the wild horses. Once a year, the young stallions are separated from the herd and auctioned off. The yearlings are caught by hand by young men from the surrounding area. At the end of the day, the herd is let back into the Merfelder Bruch to great cheers from the visitors. The wild horse catch has been carried out since 1907. Without the separation of the young stallions, dangerous rank fights would break out in the herd over the mares. An increasing number of horses would also overtax the food supply and space of the Merfelder Bruch.

Let yourself be inspired

Men catch the young stallions
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
It gets spectacular when catching wild horses
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
The wild horse catch is a real visitor magnet
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
Look forward to the show programme!
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting

Dates & Tickets

The next wild horse capture will take place on 30 May 2026. The Duke of Croÿ's administration has been organising the event for more than 100 years. Tickets are sold via its sales partner CTS Eventim. Advance ticket sales usually start in November of the previous year. If you want one of the coveted tickets, you have to be quick!

But even if you don't have grandstand tickets, a trip to the Wildpferdebahn is worthwhile. On the day of the event itself, you have the opportunity to obtain admission tickets for the Wildpferdebahn from 8.30 am throughout the day. This allows you to experience the event from outside the grandstand and marvel at the impressive driving in of the wild horses at 3 pm. You also have the opportunity to take part in the raffle by buying a raffle ticket on the event site. You can also take part in the auction. This will take place after the catch in the arena.

Timing

8.30 am: Opening of the wild horse track

approx. 12.30 pm: Opening of the grandstand entrances

approx. 1.45 pm: Show programme

approx. 3.00 pm: Entry of the wild horses

afterwards: catching of the yearling stallions

during the catch: raffle of yearling stallions

afterwards: yearling stallions are offered for sale by auction

approx. 18.30 hrs: end of the event

Map | Wild Horses Dülmen

The MünsterlandBlog

Performance at the Wild Horse Catch
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
We have tested the wild horse catch for you

Ever since she can remember, our colleague Laura has spent her free time with horses. But even for her, participating in the wild horse catch was something very special. On the MünsterlandBlog she tells you what happens on the day, what the atmosphere is like and gives background information on the wild horses. Have a read of her report!

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