Horses spared in cull
THEY are modern-day horse whisperers, determined to rescue Mt Kosciuszko’s “beautiful” brumbies - iconic steeds that represent olden days Australia as descendants of the famous Light Horse brigades.
Leisa Gillham and Sandy Robertson were responsible this week for saving the lives of 15 horses whose futures was threatened as National Parks enforced its cull of animals on Mt Kosciuszko.
South East Queensland Brumby Association president Leisa Gillham said the 15 horses rescued arrived in Stanthorpe at 5.30am Monday and were being cared for at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds for three weeks until they were re-homed.
Ms Gillham said the horses, which existed as a breed in the Kosciuszko National Park for nearly 200 years, were under threat.
She said it was difficult to estimate how many brumbies were in the area, with National Parks estimating 6000 and independent groups reckoning “a lot less”.
“National Parks think they’re destroying the pristine environment but it’s more likely the pigs and deer that are to blame.
“But people see the horses, so they blame them.”
Ms Gillham said the horses, which had been in the region long before it became a national park 40 years ago, were “a big part of Australia’s heritage”.
Last year 12 horses were rescued and this year 10 stallions, and five mares and fillies made the 15-hour trip for a new life in Stanthorpe.
Seven have already been sold.
“They’re a beautiful mob
this year and they’re in better condition then the horses were last year, so I think it’s been a kinder winter, Ms Gillham said.
“These horses have to be so hardy to survive up there. There’s blizzards in winter and sometimes they starve. Only the strongest and hardiest survive.”
Association secretary,
Sandy Robertson passed her truck licence driving test so she could complete the 30-hour round trip to collect the brumbies and bring them to Stanthorpe.
Ms Robertson, who runs the 340-hectare Minglen Brumby Sanctuary and property at Hirstglen, said they were “the most beautiful animals”.
“They deserve a chance to live. They’re part of our cultural heritage.
“Once they’re trained, they form a bond with you like no other.”
A spokesman for the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage said yesterday the State Government was finalising its wild horse management plan.
They said brumbies would always be part of the Kosciusko National Park but “at the same time we need to protect the most environmentally sensitive parts of the park”.
People can head down and meet the brumbies at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds from 3pm this Saturday and next Saturday.