RARE BREEDS TRUST OF AUSTRALIA
powered by TidyHQHorse : WALER
Horse : WALER
WALER 
Origin: Australia
Australian Status: Vulnerable
Approximate 2024 population in Australia: 300 Mares, 45 Stallions
Image
Tribute Midnight (W1068) - 2023 National WHSA
Online Show Supreme Champion
Image supplied by WHSA
History
A Waler is an Australian horse, which traces its genesis/origins back to the first Fleet. The horses were known as the “Horses from New South Wales”, or Walers. Horses were needed to develop the colony and all those brought out from the Cape of Good Hope, Timor Island and Britain went into the ‘genetic melting pot’ to create a uniquely Australian horse of mixed breed. The Waler horses developed from a diverse mix of pony, coach, riding and draught horses. These were chiefly Cape Horses (Basuto and Barb types) Timor Pony, Clydesdale, Thoroughbred, coaching breeds and British Native breeds. These Australian bred Waler horses quickly became the “all purpose” horse that helped in the development of the early colony of New South Wales, and the ensuing exploration and development of the entire country. They were riding horses, carriage, coach and wagon horses and they also pulled the plough. They also became invaluable stock horses on cattle and sheep stations across the country.
After the end of WWII, the advance of mechanization led to a rapid decrease in the use of and demand for the Waler horse and a similar decrease in their breeding. As a result, many Waler horses were left to run free on the vast outback stations. Later, during the 1980s, Waler horses faced a threat of extinction due to the large scale eradication program in the Northern Territory.
Subsequently, due to the initial actions of two women, some of these horses were acquired and a Waler Horse Society was established in 1986. The Waler Horse Society of Australia Inc. (WHSA) was subsequently established as an Incorporated Association in Victoria in 1988 as the breed society for the Waler horse. Such horses continued to be acquired until there was a sufficient population to begin breeding by WHSA members in order to ensure the continued survival of the Waler horse.
Prior to that, Waler horses were being bred by the thousands across the country for domestic purposes. They were also bred for the lucrative overseas trade, mainly supplying the British army in China and India as well as Indian Regiments.
Notably, Waler horses served with distinction for Australian military in three wars viz., the Second Boer War of 1899-1902; the First World War of 1914-1918 (WWI); and the Second World War of 1939-1945 WWII). Over 121,000 Walers were sent overseas chiefly as remounts in these conflicts. The Australians and their Waler horses excelled themselves, setting legendary feats of endurance, bravery and hardiness. Most people associate the Waler with its heroic part in the battles of the Middle East in WWI. They are probably best known for the Charge by the 4th and 12th Australian Light Horse Regiments at Beersheba which occurred on October 31, 1917. That event is etched in history as the last great/successful cavalry charge. During this time, the Waler also earned the title of the ‘best cavalry horse in the world’.
Walers, ceased to be commercially bred due to the demise of the horse export trade and decline of domestic usage that occurred in Australia in the 1940s. Fortunately, many were subsequently left to run wild on outback stations.
To ensure today’s Waler is true to its origins, they must be from bloodlines of 1945 and earlier, meaning no other breeds may be permitted in Walers seeking Purebred registration with The Waler Horse Society of Australia (WHSA). Partbred Walers however may be registered in a separate section of the WHSA Studbook. The WHSA has established the Waler breed from the descendants of those remount horses who have remained on outback stations, creating our Studbook to secure the continued survival of the Australian Waler Horse. The WHSA is now collecting DNA from all registered Walers to further protect the future of the Waler.
The WHSA has two steps in the registration processes:
(i) Foal Recording for horses 0-3 years of age, and
(ii) Horse Registration for adult horses.
For entry into the studbook, all horses must undergo two independent classifications and DNA testing.
The Waler horse is an Australian icon
Breed Traits
The WHSA recognises four basic types of Waler:
- Pony - Scout Horse
- Light - Officer’s Mount
- Medium - Trooper’s Mount
- Heavy - Artillery Harness Horse
Walers show strong bone and tendons and large well-developed joints; feathering is a common feature. Their head is a generally good even shape with a convex nose, the neck of medium length, and the hindquarters powerful with a broad rump sloping to a low set, full sweeping tail. All colours are acceptable except Albino and Cremello. Their attributes are frugality, strength, athleticism, a quiet temperament and the special way they bond with their owner. They can range in size from 14 -17 hh.
Uses
The Waler is a multipurpose horse able to participate in a wide range of equine activities which include: Campdrafting; Driving; Eventing; Working Equitation; Show Jumping; Dressage; Medieval sports and Games (Jousting and Archery); Parades; Pony Club; Riding; Showing.
Breed Organisation
The Waler Horse Society of Australia Inc. Web: www.walerhorse.com
The WHSA:
- Was registered as an Incorporated Association with Consumer Affairs in Victoria in 1988.
- Has established a purebred Waler breed brand which is applied to the nearside shoulder. It is an image of the Southern Cross. The WHSA also has a partbred Waler brand. It is an image of the Cross of Lorraine.
- Has a studbook including Purebred Waler, Partbred Waler and Foundation Waler sections.
- Has Society members in every State and Territory of Australia.
- Publishes a bimonthly Newsletter
Information supplied by
The Waler Horse Society of Australia Inc.
