Australian Stock Horse
The Australian Stock Horse, often called “the breed for every need,” is one of the most versatile horses in the world. It is a sturdy and robust breed of horse known for its agility, stamina, and even temperament. It has an expressive head with a large forehead, long and arched neck, and well-defined withers. In Australia, the stockmen still regard it highly for its working abilities.
Australian Stock Horse Pictures
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- Australian Stock Horse Buckskin
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- Australian Stock Horse Chestnut
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- Australian Stock Horse Images
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- Australian Stock Horse Photos
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- Australian Stock Horse Pictures
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- Australian Stock Horse Stallions
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- Australian Stock Horse
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- Baby Australian Stock Horse
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- Black Australian Stock Horse
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- Blue Roan Australian Stock Horse
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- Dun Australian Stock Horse
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- Pinto Australian Stock Horse
Quick Information
| Alternative Names | Stockhorse |
| Temperament/Personality | Calm, intelligent, responsive, courageous, compliant to the rider |
| Physical Characteristics | Overall muscular conformation; a deep chest, broad and powerful back, strong hindquarters, strong and slender legs, well-conformed hooves |
| Colors | All colors are possible; bay is the most common |
| Common Use | In competitive disciplines like show jumping, dressage, eventing, campdrafting, endurance riding, polocrosse, and polo; also for Pony Club activities, stock work, general hacking, and stockman challenges |
| Lifespan/Life Expectancy | 20-30 years |
| Weight | Can weigh around 1,200 lbs (544 kg) |
| Height (size) | 14-16.2 hands (142-164 cm, 55.9-64.6 inches) |
| Health | A hardy breed with no known equine health concerns; can suffer from navicular syndrome, melanomas, arthritis, laminitis, and stringhalt |
| Gaited | Yes |
| Popular Traits | Strength, toughness, resilience, intelligence, athletic ability, liveliness |
| Feeding/Diet | Sufficient amount of roughage including grass, hay, and chaff should be given; products like wheat, corn, barley, and oats provide energy, and so the horse should be adequately exercised; it needs an average of 20 liters of water per day |
| Blood Type | Warm |
| Country of Origin | Australia |
| Ancestors | Thoroughbred, Timor Pony, Arabian, Welsh Mountain Pony, Cape of Good Hope Horse, American Quarter Horse |
| Year/Time of Development | In January 1788 |
| Breed Information | Recognized by Australian Stock Horse Society Breed standards |
Australian Stock Horse Training at Jason Webb’s Risebridge Farm
History
The origins of the Stockhorse breed in Australia can be traced back to the arrival of nine horses in 1788 when the first British colonial fleet reached the Botany Bay. The earliest importation included horse breeds like Welsh Mountain Pony, Timor Pony, Cape of Good Hope Horse, Arabian, and the English Thoroughbred. All the horses had the required stamina and vigor to endure the long voyage, as also to live and work in the untamed Australian conditions.
Only the strongest and the finest horses were allowed to breed while those that failed to withstand hardship or stress were culled. Some Thoroughbred horses were further brought to Australia in the 1830s to enhance the level of power and resilience in the local strains. During the mid-20th century, some American Quarter Horses were also imported.
Even though the Waler Horse and the Australian Stock Horse have the same ancestor (the station horse), they are now considered separate breeds. Since the Walers are larger than the Stockhorses, they were primarily used for pulling carriages and water carts, as also for carrying the soldiers and their weapons in wars. Like the Walers, today’s Stockhorses too have retained the stamina and toughness of their ancestors.
The Australian Stock Horses were first recognized in 1971 when hundreds of breeders and campdrafters founded the Australian Stock Horse Society in New South Wales. The earliest registrations included horses that were bred with predecessors excelling at cattle work and campdrafting in the rugged landscapes. In the beginning, the horses were assessed depending on their athletic ability, breeding, and conformation. The Stud Book contained only the finest horses that met the registration criteria.
Some foundation sires including Colonial Spanish horses like Bobbie Bruce, Medlow, Cecil, Saladin, and Radium, as well as Thoroughbreds such as Silvius, Young Valais, Commandant, Rivoli, Panzer, Bushfire, Deo Juvante, Gibbergunyah, and Midstream had greatly influenced the Stockhorses.
Interesting Facts
- The ASHS (Australian Stock Horse Society) has around 170,000 registered stock horses or foals.
- During the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, a special tribute was paid to the Stockhorses. A team of 120 stock horses performed extraordinary maneuvers to the tunes of the Olympics soundtrack that was adapted from the “Main Title” of an Australian movie “The Man from Snowy River”.
- A renowned stock horse named Crown Law has participated in Olympic dressage competitions and World Championships for Australia.
