A Tyers horseman is preserving a piece of Australian living history by ensuring the breed of horse used to carry the nation’s Diggers through World War I has a thriving future.
Stud owner Jason Hunter is carefully preserving the legacy of the Australian Waler through his breeding and training program at Rosehaven Walers.
“There is a shortage of these horses in Australia. We can’t breed them quick enough. There is nothing this horse won’t do. I’ve had horses all my life and I’ve never had a breed this good,” Mr Hunter said.
Mr Hunter’s horses were seen at last week’s Tyers Anzac Day service upholding Australia’s link with breeding world-class working horses and its long military tradition.
The Australian Waler can be traced back to horses brought over on the First Fleet. They were bred to create a hardy and sturdy type especially suited to the rugged Australian landscape.
Originally known as the New South Waler, they were especially prized as military remounts and were sent overseas to carry the Australian Lighthorsemen into battle.
However, as horse duties waned with mechanisation, Walers were left to run wild on outback stations, and their numbers dwindled with government-run culling programs.
Mr Hunter is also president of the Waler Society of Australia which was formed in 1986 to preserve the breed.
He said there were now about 30 breeders and 1100 registered Walers in the studbook.
“There are strict guidelines. The horses must have a history tracing back before 1942 and they must be traced to a remount station so we can maintain a studbook,” he said.
Mr Hunter has 25 Walers including three stallions, most of whom were pulled off Clayton Station in remote South Australia as wild and unhandled young stock.
“Culling has now made them hard to get. It’s rare to see one advertised. We aim to breed good all-rounders. I like the heavier types. They are more robust and hardy,” he said.
“People have a misconception about Walers – they think they are brumbies – but they must be able to be traced back.”
His horses are now competing in pony club, eventing, polo, trail riding, campdrafting and even jousting.
One of his mounts, Clayton Fantail had never been out in the street before she took part in last week’s Anzac Day service but she never put a foot out of place.
Mr Hunter wants more people to see the breed in different arenas.
