Iconic cliff horses could be moved over safety fears

The Rhossili horses are often seen grazing on cliff edges in the area

The familiar sight of horses grazing on the cliffs of a coastal beauty spot has been treasured for more than 100 years - but their numbers are set to drop.

Farmer Nick Beynon said he was told by the National Trust some of the horses on the cliffs of Rhossili, Swansea, must be moved by 1 December.

Mr Beynon, 62, claimed he and his family had grazing rights in the area after generations of farming, and said removing the animals would be a loss for the community.

National Trust Cymru said the decision was made following complaints about a stallion and the number of horses exceeding the agreed limit in the commoner's right to graze.

Mr Beynon said he received "quite a nasty letter" last week telling him the number of horses on the cliffs would need to be reduced.

"It's just come out of the blue," he said. "They're trying to say I have to provide information that I have grazing rights."

Grazing rights are a legal entitlement to allow livestock to feed in a specific area.

"The main problem is that the boundaries are not fenced and the animals are escaping," said Mr Beynon.

Another local farmer, Rob Morgan, said people were "blown away" by the scenery and horses

Mr Beynon also said there was a foot gate that was "not suitable" as it had been a "problem" for people all summer.

"I've asked them to try and fix it," he said. "They can't be bothered to spend some money and fix a gate which would cost a couple of hundred pounds."

The farmer said he was "hellbent" on keeping the horses there as it was a "family tradition".

He said he would be meeting a representative from the National Trust on Monday to discuss the issue.

The horses will have to be sold if he is asked to reduce the number grazing on the land, Mr Beynon said.

"I've got better things to do in life than chasing round solicitors and digging out facts.

"My family has had the horses for years and we own the land joining the cliff."

Mr Beynon says the horses have been grazing on the cliff edge for hundreds of years

Another local farmer, Rob Morgan, has expressed support for Mr Beynon, saying it was "impossible" and "insensitive" to ask him to sell the horses during the winter.

"It's a bit of a nightmare," he said. "Not just tough as in physically finding food and a home for the horses, it's mentally challenging as a farmer too."

Mr Morgan said people were "blown away" by the scenery and the animals when visiting the area.

"They spend five minutes with the horses just to be in the presence of nature itself," he said.

Mr Morgan said farming could be a "lonely job" but doing things like tending to the horses left them with "big smiles" on their faces.

"The horses are special and they've been there for over 100 years," he added.

The National Trust said the number of horses needs to be reduced in line with the grazing limit

In a statement, the National Trust said there had been issues with a stallion on the cliffs who had repeatedly escaped through a pedestrian gate.

It said: "He pushes his way through visitors on to the road, car park and into the village.

"This is why we are concerned about not only public safety but the horses' welfare."

The trust said it would engage with Mr Beynon to "further understand" the number of horses that could remain as part of the commoner's rights to graze on the land.

The statement said there was "already a secure boundary" in place at Rhossili and that fencing was not required.

The National Trust said moving some of the horses was the only option to ensure the "safety of visitors, the welfare of the grazing animals and the ecological health of Rhossili".