Horse
Pronunciation:
Brumm-bee
Breed Description:
The Brumby breed of horse is found roaming wild in various regions in Australia and New Zealand. Having developed in the wild, the breed generally exhibits very poor conformation and it has no value as a riding horse. It generally has a big, heavy head with a short neck and back. Its legs and feet are strong and it may be any color.
In 2008, the University of Queensland's School of Veterinary Science launched a four year research program to find out more about this feral Australian horse, specifically aiming to improve general foot health of other domestic horse breeds in that country. During this period of time, scientists are studying 50 feral horses from five remote locations in Australia and neighboring New Zealand using GPS tracking and doing various types of analysis including:
· Hoof,
· DNA,
· paddock design, and
· Brumby country.
Once they have completed the study, scientists say they will be in a position to compare a detailed study of the hardy feral horse foot with the form and function of the domestic horse foot which isn't nearly as hardy. They have, however, found lame Brumby horses in the wild, because their hooves have been affected by the bad terrain.
Temperament:
The Brumby breed of horse is feisty and tends to be rebellious and willful. They are known to be very difficult to tame.
Height:
The Brumby breed of horse is generally small, from 12 hands or 48 inches at the withers. They are seldom any bigger than 15 hands (or 60 inches).
Weight:
The Brumby breed of horse has a weight that is proportionate with its size. Since they are difficult to capture, these horses are not frequently weighed.
Health Problems:
The Brumby breed of horse has no particular health problems and it thrives in its harsh environment.
Living Conditions:
The Brumby breed of horse lives wild in a variety of locations all of which are referred to as "Brumby country". Strangely though, locations differ from dry sand desert to wet soft swamplands. This has an affect not only on the food the animals find to eat, but also on the way their feet develop. Water holes in Australian Brumby country are usually about 30 to 40 miles apart, so the horses are often forced to travel long distances between food and water. They have often been seen digging in dry ground in search of water.
Exercise:
The Brumby breed of horse gets all the exercise it needs in the wild.
Life Expectancy:
The Brumby breed of horse is estimated to live for at least 20 years.
Grooming:
The Brumby breed of horse does not have a grooming routine since it lives in the wild.
Origin:
The Brumby breed of horse developed in the mid-19th century after many horses had been imported to Australia during the Gold Rush of 1851. While the original horses were of different breeds, including the forebears of the well known Australian Waler and Australian Stock horse, in the wild they interbred and mixed herds subsequently ran wild.
The Brumby is an incredibly hardy breed, so much so that by the 1960s, there were so many of them, the Australian Government launched a plan to cull them – a policy that eventually earned the country worldwide condemnation from animal lovers.
