Some information on this unique horse.
The name "Waler" was given to any Australian horse abroad..
A Waler is an Australian bred horse, whose blood lines originate from the stock bred in Australia before the end of the
Second World War. After the War, large scale horse -breeding world-wide became obsolete due to motorisation. These horses are the direct descendants of those famous as Walers. They have bred within a close genetic pool, since the cessation of remount breeding (approx. 45 years) and are well on their way to becoming an established breed.
Horses arriving in the colony needed strength and stamina - not only to survive the long sea voyage (which took between nine and twelve months) - but also to work in foreign, untamed environment which had become their home. After the crossing of the Blue Mountains as settlers ventured inland, strong and reliable horses became a necessity. Explorers, stockmen, settlers, bushrangers and troopers all relied on horses which could travel long distances day after day. Weak horses were culled, and only the stronger types were used to breed the sturdy saddle horses essential for the colony's development.
Despite the mixed origins of these horses, they developed into a strong and handsome type which was eventually called the Waler after the colony of N.S.W. J.C. Byrne in his "Twelve Years Wandering the British Colonies" (1848) wrote "...the race of horse at present in use in Australia is not to be surpassed in the world for symmetry and endurance. It is hard to say exactly how they are bred for there have been large importations of mares from Chile and Peru, stallions of the pure Arab breed from India, and also from England and the Cape of Good Hope. Much pains have been bestowed on the breeding of these animals and the results have rightly rewarded the exertion." Exploits of the explorers and stockmen and their reliable horses in the Australian bush became folklore, and stories such as "The Man from Snowy River" and "Clancy of the Overflow" depict the character of these pioneers and their horses.
In 1986 the Waler Horse Society of Australia Inc. was formed. A breed standard and Stud Book was established to govern and record the breeding of these horses. From this time the Waler has been an official breed.
A Waler today must be bred from Australian stock, that has had no recent imports introduced since the end of the 1940's.
Until this time, horses were bred under harsh conditions and selected for their hardiness. Only the best horses were originally imported due to the high cost of transport and their need to survive the voyage. Today a country is less likely to export their premium stock, and as horses are now used for sport and recreation, the severity of selection for hardiness has diminished.
LIGHT Officers Mount
MEDIUM Troopers Mount
HEAVY Artillery - Harness
PONY Under 14.2 - Athletic games horse
AUSTRALIAN WALERS ( MY HORSES )
(these are made up)
COLTS
NAME: Didgeree
AGE: 3 years old
BREED: Australian Waler
HEIGHT: 16.1hh
COLOUR: Red Bay
DISCIPLINE: Western prospect & Dressage
Didgeree and Megan rode a PERFECT TEST!!!
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