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by Michelle Stewart ©2004 |
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Brumbies at their interim home |
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Historical Background Horses have been in the Guy Fawkes region of northern NSW since the 1830's when the land was opened up to farming. From the 1890's to the early 1940's a number of stations in the area were involved in breeding horses for the remount trade. Guy Fawkes horses, including brumbies, were drafted for use by the Light Horse in the Second World War. The Guy Fawkes Brumby The majority of Guy Fawkes brumbies are browns and bays (approx 60%). However, a high proportion (30%) are creamies that is palominos, duns and buckskins. The creamy influence is attributed to their famous ancestor Saladin, one of the founding horses of the Australian Stock Horse breed. A genetic study shows that the Guy Fawkes brumbies have a high similarity to Arab breeds and to saddle and harness light horses such as Thoroughbreds. They are also genetically similar to Walers. The Campaign to Save the Brumbies In October 2000 the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service carried out an aerial cull, slaughtering over six hundred brumbies. As a result of community objections, aerial culling has been banned in NSW national parks. The local community wanted more than that though. They wanted the heritage value of the Guy Fawkes brumby to be recognised and for them to be managed on this basis. Consequently, the Guy Fawkes Wild Horse Management Association was formed. In April 2004, they were given the go ahead to start a twelve month passive capture and removal trial. The association has also set up the first Australian Brumby Register and Stud Book. As the horses are removed from the national park they are sorted out, branded and entered into the Stud Book. |
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Young stallion (left) shows his Waler origins |
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Adopt a Brumby Guy Fawkes brumbies are now available for the public to adopt. Family mobs, that is a stallion and his mares, are available to those with facilities for and an interest in breeding. There is also a sponsorship program for those who are unable to take on the daily care of a horse but still wish to help. |
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Family mob grazing at their interim home |
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If you'd like more information on the Guy Fawkes brumbies, or details on how to adopt or sponsor one, visit us Michelle Stewart is a writer who also runs a brumby stud. She can be contacted via her website: visit ©2004 Michelle Stewart –text/photos ©2004 Design & Graphics Aust Eques |
