Brumby

Brumby:After the great Australian gold rush of 1851, many horses escaped from the mining settlements and ran wild in the scrublands. These horses came to be known as brumbies. Although some have been caught and tamed, they are usually far too wild to be of any practical use.

The brumbies degenerated in quality, but developed a survival instinct that enabled them to withstand the harsh climate and avoid the stockman that hunted them.

In the 1960's the number of horses was such a problem that a huge culling took place. Brumbies were already being hunted to provide meat for pet food, but this operation was sheer slaughter. One herd of about 8,000 horses, 700 miles west of bisbane, was persued and shot from light aircraft and jeeps.

This policy provoked global outrage, and decades later, the issue is still under discussion. Unlike some of the american mustangs, there is little demand for the brumbies as riding horses in modern Australia.

The average height of a brumby in between 14 and 15 hands. Brumbies have spread all over the Australian outback, and still survive in large numbers.

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