The Guy Fawkes Heritage Horse Association Inc.

Get the Facts!

 

Please read the following frequently asked questions and get the facts, not the myths about these wonderful horse-

 

There are several Associations and Societies that register wild horses- what makes the GFHHA different? 

There is a significant difference between our Heritage Horses and Brumbies found elsewhere in Australia. The horses of the Guy Fawkes River National Park have been subjected to numerous studies, thorough research and DNA testing to prove that they are direct descendants of those horses that that went into battle with the Light Horse Brigade in WWl and have significant heritage value, both locally and Nationally. The horse from this area are the only group of Australian wild horses to have been through this process.

The GFHHA is not a Brumby Rescue Organisation, the GFHHA only recognizes and registers Heritage Horses that are removed from the Guy Fawkes River National Park. We believe that by only registering these horses (and their progeny-purebred and part bred) we are able to maintain and preserve the unique qualities these horses are famous for- Their authentic heritage value and genetic superiority.

 

Are wild horses Poorly conformed?

 Unfortunately, It seems to be the general assumption that wild horses are poorly conformed and weak animals- This is untrue of the Guy Fawkes Horses.

The horses of the GFRNP have a history going back 200 years when they were bred to be solid and sturdy with strong hooves and limbs, sound of wind and possess excellent stamina.

This foundation, and the environment in which these horses live in, has only served to maintain, if not, enhance these characteristics, as without these traits, the horses would not survive.

In the rough, dense Australian bush, you must be hardy, adaptable and good on your feet in order to thrive. The  horses of the GFRNP have flourished in our harsh Australian conditions  due to natural selection. Nature has determined that the strong survive and the weak do not, allowing the continued improvement of stock.

A wonderful example of just how well conformed these horses are is GF Clyde, who, at his first show, unwashed, un-clipped and with just a quick go-over with a curry comb was a real contender for the Supreme Led Horse Exhibit at Bellingen show in 2006, one of the judges later told us that he only narrowly missed out on the sash.

 

Are wild horses infected with parasites?

 Wild horses instinctively know what they need in terms of roughage, minerals, salts, etc and will forage for it. To enable them to find such a range of nutritional requirements, wild horses travel a great deal, their home territory extending up to 40kms end to end. For this reason, wild horses have a lower worm burden than a lot of domestic horses- They're eating habits are not confined to one area as domestic horses are, and therefore, they are not forced to graze in parasite infected areas.

 

Are wild horses Inbred?

This is another assumption commonly thought to be true and most people would be suprised to hear that DNA testing of wild horses prove that the percentage of inbreeding in un-managed groups is far less than the percentages found in Thoroughbred and Arabian horse breeding programs!

Natural herd behavior is a key factor in keeping inbreeding to a minimum and inbreeding numbers are less than 5%. We have not encountered one case of inbreeding in any horse that has been removed from the Guy Fawkes National Park.

 

 

How big are Guy Fawkes horses and what colours are they?

The average height of a Heritage Horse is between 13 and 15 hands high. Some wild horse groups have recorded horses that have reached up to 16hh but this is very uncommon for horses from the Guy Fawkes. 

Bays, browns and chestnuts are the most common, this being the strongest genetic phenotype. Palominos and buckskins are also common in the Guy Fawkes as are the double dilutes Cremello and Perlino. Pinto and taffy are very much sought after though we generally only receive a few.  Grey is quite uncommon.

   

 

 

What disciplines are Heritage Horses suitable for?

As with any other breed of horse, Heritage Horses can excel at all equestrian disciplines given the correct training. It is becoming more common to see Australian Heritage Horses competing in all horse sports, attending Pony Club and hacking up the trails.

Heritage Horses make competitive endurance horses. Due to their natural hardiness, weight carrying ability and stamina, a Guy Fawkes Heritage Horse is an obvious choice for this sport and Australian Heritage Horses have even been exported to the United Arab Emirates to compete in the desert.

It is becoming widely accepted that because of their naturally quiet and kind natures, Heritage Horses make excellent Pony Club mounts and can be seen competing in all events from sporting and camp drafting to dressage and showjumping.

Many Agricultural Shows now accommodate Heritage Horse classes in their horse programs enabling Heritage Horses to be shown at halter and under saddle and the Guy Fawkes Heritage Horse Association conducts Annual High Point Awards for horses making achievements in a range of disciplines.

 

 

I would like to come and see the horses, can I visit?

Of course! Visitors are always welcome to come and view our horses at our holding block near Guyra, NSW . Phoning ahead to make an appointment will ensure a pleasurable visit.

Our Open Days are also a great way to see our horses and what they have to offer. Our Open Days usually feature demonstrations using gentle horsemanship and horses for sale. Contact us for details and dates, or see our Open Days page on this website.

 

Where do you get the money to fund you project?

 

  WE DO NOT RECEIVE ANY FUNDING FROM THE GOVERNMENT

All  monies raised by the GFHHA are obtained through donations, sales of horses and fund raising efforts. All of the people that work with our horses are volunteers, they are much appreciated.

As any horse owner will know, horses come with costs. Rehabilitation, education and health care cost our association BIG TIME! We appreciate any donations (all tax deductible) and we have a number of different items available for purchase. (see our merchandise page on the sales tab)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Man From Snowy River-

Banjo Patterson

There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses — he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far
Had mustered at the homestead overnight,
For the bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are,
And the stock-horse snuffs the battle with delight.

There was Harrison, who made his pile when Pardon won the cup,
The old man with his hair as white as snow;
But few could ride beside him when his blood was fairly up
He would go wherever horse and man could go.
And Clancy of the Overflow came down to lend a hand,
No better horseman ever held the reins;
For never horse could throw him while the saddle-girths would stand
He learnt to ride while droving on the plains.

And one was there, a stripling on a small and weedy beast;
He was something like a racehorse undersized,
With a touch of Timor pony—three parts thoroughbred at least
And such as are by mountain horsemen prized.
He was hard and tough and wiry—just the sort that won't say die
There was courage in his quick impatient tread;
And he bore the badge of gameness in his bright and fiery eye,
And the proud and lofty carriage of his head.

But still so slight and weedy, one would doubt his power to stay,
And the old man said, "That horse will never do
For a long and tiring gallop—lad, you'd better stop away,
Those hills are far too rough for such as you."
So he waited, sad and wistful—only Clancy stood his friend
"I think we ought to let him come," he said;
"I warrant he'll be with us when he's wanted at the end,
For both his horse and he are mountain bred.

"He hails from Snowy River, up by Kosciusko's side,
Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough;
Where a horse's hoofs strike firelight from the flint stones every stride,
The man that holds his own is good enough.
And the Snowy River riders on the mountains make their home,
Where the river runs those giant hills between;
I have seen full many horsemen since I first commenced to roam,
But nowhere yet such horsemen have I seen."

So he went; they found the horses by the big mimosa clump,
They raced away towards the mountain's brow,
And the old man gave his orders, "Boys, go at them from the jump,
No use to try for fancy riding now.
And, Clancy, you must wheel them, try and wheel them to the right.
Ride boldly, lad, and never fear the spills,
For never yet was rider that could keep the mob in sight,
If once they gain the shelter of those hills."

So Clancy rode to wheel them—he was racing on the wing
Where the best and boldest riders take their place,
And he raced his stock-horse past them, and he made the ranges ring
With the stockwhip, as he met them face to face.
Then they halted for a moment, while he swung the dreaded lash,
But they saw their well-loved mountain full in view,
And they charged beneath the stockwhip with a sharp and sudden dash,
And off into the mountain scrub they flew.

Then fast the horsemen followed, where the gorges deep and black
Resounded to the thunder of their tread,
And the stockwhips woke the echoes, and they fiercely answered back
From cliffs and crags that beetled overhead.
And upward, ever upward, the wild horses held their way,
Where mountain ash and kurrajong grew wide;
And the old man muttered fiercely, "We may bid the mob good day,
no man can hold them down the other side."

When they reached the mountain's summit, even Clancy took a pull
It well might make the boldest hold their breath;
The wild hop scrub grew thickly, and the hidden ground was full
Of wombat holes, and any slip was death.
But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head,
And he swung his stockwhip round and gave a cheer,
And he raced him down the mountain like a torrent down its bed,
While the others stood and watched in very fear.

He sent the flint-stones flying, but the pony kept his feet,
He cleared the fallen timber in his stride,
And the man from Snowy River never shifted in his seat
It was grand to see that mountain horseman ride.
Through the stringy barks and saplings, on the rough and broken ground,
Down the hillside at a racing pace he went;
And he never drew the bridle till he landed safe and sound,
At the bottom of that terrible descent.

He was right among the horses as they climbed the farther hill,
And the watchers on the mountain, standing mute,
Saw him ply the stockwhip fiercely; he was right among them still,
As he raced across the clearing in pursuit.
They lost him for a moment, where two mountain gullies met
In the ranges—but a final glimpse reveals
On a dim and distant hillside the wild horses racing yet,
With the man from Snowy River at their heels.

And he ran them single-handed till their sides were white with foam;
He followed like a bloodhound on their track,
Till they halted cowed and beaten; then he turned their heads for home,
And alone and unassisted brought them back.
But his hardy mountain pony he could scarcely raise a trot,
He was blood from hip to shoulder from the spur;
But his pluck was still undaunted, and his courage fiery hot,
For never yet was mountain horse a cur.

And down by Kosciusko, where the pine-clad ridges raise
Their torn and rugged battlements on high,
Where the air is clear as crystal, and the white stars fairly blaze
At midnight in the cold and frosty sky,
And where around the Overflow the reed-beds sweep and sway
To the breezes, and the rolling plains are wide,
The Man from Snowy River is a household word today,
And the stockmen tell the story of his ride.