January
Brumby
Breed Information
Approximate Size: 14-15 hh
Color Variations: Any color.
Place of Origin: Australia
Bio:
Brumbies are Australian feral horses that developed from the domestic horses that either escaped or were abandoned around the time of the gold rush in 1851. Brumby is really a heading for a number of different types of horse, all of which are feral, and it is likely to include descendants of both Walers, Stock Horses, Anglo-Arabs, Percherons and some pony breed, all of which have interbred. They, therefore, do not have any startling uniform characteristics and can vary quite considerably in appearance. They naturally formed into herds, and through prolific breeding, and interbreeding, their numbers dramatically increased with detrimental effect to farming and agriculture.
Unfortunately, the Brumby has little value as a riding horse. They are, like any feral animal, extremely difficult to capture and tame, and have rebellious and willful natures. There is also no shortage of excellent riding horses in the form of the Stock Horse, making it unnecessary to use the Brumby. As they became feral in the 19th century their physical characteristics altered as they adapted to the life of the wild. They became smaller, faster, and more cunning than the domestic horse, as well as enduring and extremely tough.
The Brumby varies in conformation but generally has a heavy head with a short neck and back, straight shoulders, sloping quarters, and strong legs. Their shape is generally poor although the occasional one has a throwback to Thoroughbred ancestry and will have some quality, especially in the head region. They can be any color and their height varies but they tend to be small - although the odd horse will exceed 15hh.
Horse Fact: Due to the position of the horse's eyes on the side of the head, they have almost 360 degree vision, having a small 'blind spot' directly in front of their nose, and just behind the rump.
Pickeral, Tamsin. "Brumby." The Compete Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. 1999 ed., Pg. 289
Upper Photo:
Sullivan, Justin. ABC News. 15 November 2007
Lower Photo:
HiddenTrails. 2009.
