History Brumby

1 history

1.1 origin of term
1.2 horse imports
1.3 origin of feral herds
1.4 pangaré brumbies

history
origin of term

the term brumby refers feral horse in australia. first recorded use in print in australasian magazine melbourne in 1880, said brumbies bush name in queensland wild horses. in 1885, once month magazine suggested rumbies new south wales term, , poet banjo paterson stated in introduction poem brumby s run published in bulletin in 1894 brumby word free-roaming horses. derivation obscure, , may have come 1 or more of following possibilities:

early horse imports

horses first arrived in australia in 1788 first fleet. imported farm , utility work; recreational riding , racing not major activities. 1800, 200 horses thought have reached australia. horse racing became popular around 1810, resulting in influx of thoroughbred imports, england. 3,500 horses living in australia 1820, , number had grown 160,000 1850, largely due natural increase. long journey sea england, europe, , asia meant strongest horses survived trip, making particularly healthy , strong australian stock, aided in ability flourish.

origin of feral herds

a brumby caught in apsley river gorge.

horses confined sydney region until 19th century, when settlers first crossed blue mountains , opened expansion inland. horses required travel, , cattle , sheep droving pastoral industry grew. first report of escaped horse in 1804, , 1840s horses had escaped settled regions of australia. escaped because fences not installed, when fences existed @ all, believed australian horses became feral because released wild , left fend themselves. may have been result of pastoralists abandoning settlements, , horses, due arid conditions , unfamiliar land combined make farming in australia difficult. after world war i, demand horses defence forces declined growth in mechanization, led growth in number of unwanted animals set free. throughout 20th century, replacement of horses machines in farming led further reductions in demand, , may have contributed increases in feral populations.

currently, australia has @ least 400,000 horses roaming continent. estimated that, during non-drought periods, feral horse population increases @ rate of 20 percent per year. drought conditions , brushfires natural threats. despite population numbers, feral horses considered moderate pest. allowed damage vegetation , cause erosion, impact on environment can detrimental, , reason can considered serious environmental threat. however, because have cultural , potential economic value, management of brumbies presents complex issue.

brumbies roaming in australian alps of south-eastern australia thought descendants of horses owned pastoralist , pioneer, benjamin boyd.

pangaré brumbies

on coast south of geraldton, western australia brumbies there known ‘pangare ponies’, appear carry rare pangaré gene. colouring commonly known mealy , seen in number of old breeds such british ponies, timor ponies, haflingers , belgian draught horses. gene causes lightening in parts of horse’s coat, resulting in mealy coloured muzzle, forearms, flanks, , belly. seen in chestnut horses flaxen coloured manes , tails.

the pangaré brumbies appear have adapted coastal environment, consuming saltbush, not appear damaging. department of environment , conservation , outback heritage horse association of western australia (ohhawa) monitoring these particular brumbies ensure careful management of these unusual feral horses.