The country of origin of Brumby horse breed is Australia. Horses are not native to Australia, so they appeared for the first time in the 1788, when were brought with Irish and British settlers. Only the best and the toughest could survive the harsh conditions of the trip, which means that Australia was a land that gained healthy and strong stock horse. The number of imported horses till 1800 was 200 that increased to 160,000 by 1850.
There are several theories for the origin of the name, even it is not known for certain. It is thought that it comes from a pioneer horse breeder called James Brumby. He was soldier and the story tells that he was responsible for some horses in Australia. In the early 19th century he moved to Tasmania and release many horses in the wild. When people asked whose these horses are, it was tolled that they are Brumby’s. Other theory applies the Aboriginal word –baroomby- which means wild. Either way today this word stands for the wild horses of Australia which is its native land.
Initially they were used for farm work and transport. As the horse racing became popular sport in Australia by the 1810 there were many crosses with the England Thoroughbred. As mechanizations grew and horses were replaced with machines people were often forced to set them free in the wild and became free-roaming horses.
The first escape was reported in 1804; the justifying was that they run away because of the improperly installed fences, but it is also thought that maybe they were simply released in the wild. That’s how they were left to fend for themselves and became feral. Brumbies are free roaming in Australia, which are found mostly in the Northern Territory, then Queensland, the best-known are in the Australian Alps and many are founded in National Parks. Mob or Band is a name of a group of Brumbies gathered for variety uses and domesticated on farms as working stock horses, show horses pleasure and trail horses.
The majority of wild horses in the world are in Australia. In some opinions they present moderate pests and are considered as a threat to the native ecosystem. They can overgraze cattle pastures, drink and foul water supplies, cause erosion, damage the fences, mate with domestic mares, thus pass on diseases, reduce the richness of plant species etc. Others valued them as resource and national heritage and prevent them of inhuman treatment and extermination; they can also keep tracks and trails for bush walkers and vehicles.
Brumbies can be beautiful or ugly, but that mostly depends of the eye of the viewer. They are with different size, confirmation and color, but initially of assorted type that include draft and Thoroughbred blood. Another reason is that many domesticated mares can escape and unite with mobs thus produce a distinct bloodline. Anyway all Brumbies generally are with smaller size than domestic horses. Their height can vary from 12 hands (pony Brumby) to quite larger, to16.5 hands, but mostly stands between 14 and 15 hands tall. The head is big, a bit heavy and has short neck, commonly seen as U-neck which is undesirable feature. It has a short back, straight shoulders and sloping quarters. Although many of them carry thoroughbred blood thus are sophisticated and well conformed, a good deal of Brumbies can be with showing ribs, tough worms and food shortages are excluded. Hooves are hard, sound and in good condition, because of the free roaming. Any body color in domestic horses, as well can appear at Brumbies with tend bay being most common due the camouflage effect. Pangare Ponies are Brumbies that carry a rare gene which causes lightening in parts of the coat color.
Feral horses can produce one foal every two years and their population can increase at a rate of 20 percent per year, during the non-drought periods. Currently there are around 400,000 horses roaming Australia. To reduce this number many marksmen shoot Brumbies in national parks.
Brumbies can be captured, trained and used as stock or saddle horses, as tourist attraction and in challenge competitions, where is required to catch a free running Brumby. They are also used for the horse meet market and their hair for musical instruments, brushes etc.
Catch the untouchable wild horse breed by solving this horse puzzle. Use your mouse to match the jigsaw pieces and at the end see a genuine wild horse, Brumby that has considerable intelligence. All the best!