Hunter Valley Brumby Association
Success Stories
Adoption Testimonials
By Susan Levin, owner of HVBA Freya
I recently adopted a Brumby through the Hunter Valley Brumby Association and it has been a great experience. From my very first contact, Kath has been continually willing to take the time to speak with me, or email me, and answer any questions with honesty, patience, kindness and enthusiasm. It was lovely to see that they did not take the first person that called but took the time to consider who was going to be a proper match for the Brumby to be adopted. It was a little nerve wracking to know you were being closely assessed to make sure you passed muster as a future home for one of their precious Brumbies but also very comforting knowing that if they did not feel the match was right it would not proceed.
Kath gave me a very thorough background on Freya, the Brumby filly I adopted, with information on her personality, likes, dislikes, quirks, how she came to be with them, etc and she sent me some lovely photos. When I made the trip to Stroud, Kath went out of her way to spend time showing me Freya and what the Association does. She demonstrated where Freya was at with her training, let me spend time brushing and interacting with her and left me plenty of space to just spend some alone time to get to know Freya. Kath has taken a lot of time to set up a lovely facility for the Brumbies. It was agreed that Freya would be allowed to come home with me and I was delighted.
I made the trip back there to collect her three weeks later. During this time Kath very kindly gave her some float loading lessons and arranged for her feet, teeth and worming to be done before her departure. I also was able to keep in regular contact with Kath as to how she was going and Kath’s patience and kindness in keeping me updated was wonderful. The Association provided me with a very informative and helpful information sheet regarding preparing for the arrival of my Brumby. Their paperwork is very professionally presented and on arrival to collect Freya I had a whole pack ready for me with the adoption contract, registration documentation, microchip information and a whole stack of photos that Kath copied onto my memory stick for me. That has been especially lovely to have that photographic record of her journey to keep.
The support from the Association does not stop once you drive out the gate, they are there with you right along the way. I know they are only a phone call or email away should I need any information or advice and they always respond promptly. They also encourage you to keep them updated on how the partnership is progressing and if they haven’t heard from you in the early stages will touch base to make sure all is well. Welcoming Freya into my life through the Hunter Valley Brumby Association has been a terrific and very enjoyable process. Not only have I been lucky enough to now have Freya with me I also have an experienced and sincere support team in the wings keeping us company on this journey.
If you are thinking about adopting a Brumby, I highly recommend you contact the HVBA.
Sue and Freya:
By Mae Lee Sun, owner HVBA Trooper
“I feel so fortunate to have adopted my brumby Trooper from HVBA. He was their first rescue along with another yearling and had been halter trained by Adam Sutton. HVBA was not going to release Trooper to just anyone and did their diligence in making sure not only that he was gelded and microchipped by the time we took him home, but they made sure I had the proper understanding on how to care for him. They answered every question I had about brumbies from feeding to farriers, worming, dental schedule, and even supported me in educating myself further on natural horsemanship. They laid a strong foundation that I could build on.
I've only had him for 2 months and from the very first time he was put on the float, he's learned how to do things in one or two go's. I handle him every single day, mixing it up with either a nice slow walk on the lead rope to get him used to cars passing, or we climb up and down hills in the bush, cross streams or we play with the blue tarp and yoga balls in our arena. Even my partner Bruce who has had horses for the past 10 years, said he's never seen or heard of a horse that plays like Trooper.
After meeting Diesel, the HVBA mascot horse and Freya, and now with Trooper, we can see why owners of brumbies rarely sell them on. With the good foundation established by HVBA and the mutual trust and good leadership we've established, I can just imagine how awesome it will be when he is ready to be trained under saddle in 2 years. In the meantime, we're approaching everything and everyday, from seeing the farrier and dentist, to 'meeting' the plastic bag flying on the end of a stick in the paddock, as an adventure. His intelligence and level of curiosity is just incredible and everything I would want in a horse.
Mae Lee and Trooper:
