Hunter Valley Brumby Association
Brumby FAQ's and History
The Past
The Heritage Brumby is the descendant of the first horses that came to Australia on ships from England that brought the convicts and first settlers. Initially only seven horses survived the journey. These mares and stallions were sufficiently hardy to survive the voyage and their progeny further evolved in the 1800’s.
Natural selection and survival of the fittest enabled the horses to endure the intense heat as well as the cold and snowy conditions of various regions in this diverse country. The name “Brumby” is generally thought to have originated from an early settler James Brumby. Horses owned by Brumby were left to free-range and readily adapted to their new habitat. As there were vast areas of unfenced land, the horses roamed freely and breeding was intermixed. Thoroughbred, Arabian and working horse breeds such as Draft and Clydesdale could be said to have shaped the bloodlines of todays Heritage Brumbies. The horses were versatile types and later some were specifically used as warhorses in the first and second World Wars and the Boer War in South Africa. Additionally they were used in the Gold Rush era and as police mounts. Their use as warhorses is testament to their calm, even temperament, surefootedness, resilience and trust in their handlers.
Why own a Brumby?
When you adopt a Brumby you are buying a horse that has come from the wild - born into proper social structured herds and have been raised and disciplined by their own kind. You are starting off with a clean slate - a horse that has never been mishandled by Man or taught terrible habits.
Brumbies are incredibly tough and hardy animals. We promote them as bringing the fun back into owning a horse rather than constantly putting your hand in your pocket! Brumbies require only the basic of maintenance and generally do not need rugs or shoes. They are also very healthy animals.
Brumbies are very easily trained to any discipline, they are highly intelligent and learn very quickly and thrive on positive leadership.
One of the most positive aspects of owning a Brumby is the close bond that is achieved. It is an incredibly special friendship and one that is rarely achieved with domestic horses. A Brumby quickly looks to you to become their herd leader and offer encouragement and confidence. Once the trust is formed between you and your Brumby you will have a very faithful friend who will love nothing more than just being around you or exploring new trails. Due to this bond, Brumbies do not cope well with being shuffled from home to home, which unfortunately is often the case for domestic horses, so we try to find forever homes for our Brumbies.
Are Brumbies savage, do they bite and kick?
Brumbies do not know hate, they live in the wild within a firm social structure of law and order. They are inquisitive and as they gain confidence will come to you with innocence and a willingness to trust. Biting and kicking is a form of self defence, caused by fear and fright. Humans create these problems, not horses.
Brumbies do not know hate, they live in the wild within a firm social structure of law and order. They are inquisitive and as they gain confidence will come to you with innocence and a willingness to trust. Biting and kicking is a form of self defence, caused by fear and fright. Humans create these problems, not horses.Are Brumbies diseased or inbred?
Free ranging horses living in the wild look after themselves very well.They know what they need in terms of nutrition and will forage for it instinctively. Horses from Guy Fawkes National Park were D.N.A tested and showed less inbreeding than is found in the thoroughbred industry. It is only when large numbers of horses are confined to small areas of grazing that inbreeding may occur and this is usual in any animal population, wild or domestic.
How big are Brumbies and what colors are they?
Brumbies come in all sizes and colors, the average height is somewhere between 13 to 15 hands high. Some Brumbies on outback stations can reach 16 hands plus.
Are Brumbies safe for kids?
Brumbies have wonderful, sensible and calm temperaments and make great kids horses and adults alike. Brumbies compete successfully in sporting and pony club and are incredible trail riding horses. Generally Brumbies are not adopted already saddle trained so we advise to adopt a younger Brumby that your child can learn and grow up with and develop their special bond - all under the supervision of an experienced adult.
We don’t ride and have little experience but we have the land. Would we be suitable Brumby owners ?
Yes, Brumbies make great companion horses and are low maintenance, they don’t need rugs and stables, a good, well fenced, grassed paddock with fresh water, shade trees for protection from the weather and regular health, farrier and worm checks is all that is needed. Some supplementary lucerne hay throughout the winter months may be necessary.
