     This account was prepared to help horses and to point out possible

problems with their health and well being. Hopefully

it will mean our friend the horse is better understood by the

ordinary horse owner. I am biased in the horses favour, but he

needs a spokesman. If he could talk you would get an earful

in his best interests. The old remedies are in there to show

you how he was cared for, forty years and more into the past

they are not intended or expected  to compete with modern medicine .

          The horse breaking methods are likely to produce a

horse that has little fear of man but adequate respect  for

his rider. No doubt you have seen horses so brutalized that

they are a nervous wreck , shivering with fear when man comes near.

     Properly treated in the training stage of their education

most young horses will respond , temper tantrums of the trainer

     Treat your young horse like a new girlfriend, you must try to be gentle

Dirranbandi, who supplied a lot of the information on the subject of

CRIB BITING. TETANUS. TICKS. LAMENESS. STRINGHALT.

GIVING MEDICINES.

If you make a copy from this site

send me a dollar its alright

Don Johnson

3 south stn rd Booval 4304
Ipswich Queensland Australia

     Horse gentling is my preference, I do not believe in horse breaking or bronco

busting, the word should be gentling of coming to terms with your horse.

    The bronco buster ropes a young horse,  and snubs him to a  post.  The horse

down on the rope several times, and belts his head on the snubbing post, possibly

in his forehead  or maybe breaking his neck.  When he has no resistance left he is

and bridled, with a big jaw breaker type of mexican bit in his soft mouth.   He is

by a rider, who  spurs the poor bloody horse into submission.   He is bashed and

until he makes the required moves for his cruel master.   This treatment often

horse sour, with a hatred for man, and no wonder. I will say no more about these

 This fellow might throw his rope to catch the horse.  Once looped he wraps the

around a fence post.   The frightened horse races forward and slams into a fence,

his head in or gouging out an eye.  Or it gets to the end of the rope and breaks its

quite easily, particularly in a square or oblong yard.  Some use a roping pole in

yard to get the rope on his neck. This frightens the horse and it takes some time

down.  It is then pulled to a snubbing post in the middle of the round yard, or a

the yard. Worse still it will be flopped with a bag on a stick, so called Bagging.

horse is choking and being bagged, it may, out of fear, bang its head on the fence.

struggling, it may smash teeth  or break its neck.  It can be wind broken at the

This is part of the usual method used in horse breaking tried and recommended

 I did know Leo Casey the legendary horse breaker, who is of the same opinion as

about horse breaking.  He used to make a loop in a short rope  and hang it in a

on the fence of the round yard, making a snare loop.  When the horse was trotted

the yard he looped himself and took the short rope with him.   All Leo would say

" Got ya mate ".  In the round yard at the same time he would have his own quiet

horse. He then mounted his horse and picked up the  end of the horse catching

he pulled the catching rope under his horse`s neck from the offside to the

Bringing it over the wither of his own horse, he tied it to the rope again with a

After tieing the two horses together, he would gradually bring the young horse to

walking or trotting his own horse along side the young one , as in nature around

When he got it in close to his saddle horse, he would put his hand out and let the

horse smell him.  After a little while he would rub it under the eye,

 casting no fear into the animal.   Eventually he would rub it down all over.

    Later a halter hanging on the yard would be taken and put on the young horse.

catching rope could then be taken off the young horse.  The halter lead replaces

catching rope, in the above manner, under the neck of the horse being ridden and

place. Now Leo could pull on the halter with the rope around the chest of his

 horse,  to teach the young horse to stand.  And by the motion of his right hand to

forward.    Gently patting it along, he could teach it to turn right or left, and to

lead rope with his horse.  You can tell by the nature of the horse how soon you can

dismount, and walk up to him and let him smell your hand.  Talking to him as

forward, rub his nose and rub him under the eye, the kindest place you can touch

Do not rub him under the jaw or between the bottom jaws, near the mouth.  There

nerve centre there which upsets him, and he won`t like it.  He may try  to strike

     Strange horses meeting for the first time, can adopt a fighting stance.  They

for the jaw first, if they  miss, may grab the wither or back of the front leg.

 Sometimes, I`ve tied the halter rope to a good strong saddle horse,  and tied their

together with a hitch and a bit of binding twine.  Then in this manner, I have

young unbroken horses home, sometimes several miles distant, talking to them

handling them on the journey.  I have done this on many occasions and have

young horse.  But you must have confidence in your breaking in horse, to know

will hold the young horse and do the job you set him.     Test him with the young

the yard, before you attempt to go away.  You will know in a little while around

if he can do it.    Any good stout saddle horse should be good enough, all finished

an hour. When you open the main gate of the stockyard be ready for the young

will try to escape, and will make an effort to leave you  as you go out the gate.

firm hand on the reins of your  horse, bring your saddle horse around to the

Turn left sharply, forcing the young one to come with you, until it realizes you still

 Soon it will settle down, this treatment does work in practice as I have proved

    Back to the horse gentling, back in the round yard you can now approach the

horse on foot.  The experienced eye can tell if a horse is approachable on foot.  Go

rope and let him smell you and rub him under the eye. Things to look for when

near to him. If he snorts or pulls back, lays his ears back, rolls his eyes or shakes

from side to side, he may be unapproachable on foot.  He may strike kick or bite

this case get back on your horse and pick up the catching rope again, make a loop

his neck and tie a knot that won't slip. Perhaps a bowline knot so he won't choke.

the end of the rope back through the loop, leaving a trailing loop on the ground.

moving watch his nearside back leg. When he stands in the loop, pull up the rope

from your saddle horse. The back foot should be about a foot off the ground, tie a

and the young horse is now collar roped. It will need to be done quickly, to prevent

kicking and chafing of the back of the hind fetlock, this can burn the hair off

raw. Horses that are collar roped for the first time may throw themselves down, so

where he won`t hurt himself At this point go through the motions, let him smell

his forehead and under his eye. Keep him calm.  You can now pat this horse all

he can`t hurt you, unless he falls on you.  He cannot kick or strike you.  A fierce

will indicate to you whether he will bite.  If he is a vicious horse he will lay his

or roll his eyes, but I don`t think so now. It is possible to touch this horse

Even castrate it if you know how. You can certainly pull its tail to a decent level,

the hock .  Pull the mane and get the burrs out of it to a suitable length. A good

to teach him to halter,  approach the horse from the front, and take it off, and put

few times.  As many as you can.  When putting it on, always put the halter shank

his neck to hold him, whilst doing so.  You should not work a young horse any

than 2 hours in any one day. Sometimes less than 2 hours, as he may go sour in

confinement  and training. He may also fret if put in a stable after work.  At this

would be better turned out in the horse paddock,  with the rest of the horses and

his freedom again.  He will come in fresh in the morning.

     During the handling of a young horse you may find when they start to sweat,

may become stubborn and unmovable.  This is an indication they are turning sour,

halter off and let him go. It`s time for a break, next morning back to the round

your breaking in horse.  It may be possible while riding around the yard at a walk

steady trot, to get the halter shank around his neck.  Now stop and put the halter

He should now be at a stage to get up along side of him, and to drop the catching

around his neck.  Then put the halter on him, use the halter shank to hold him as

    If he is very flighty and fractious I recommend the leg rope again, after pulling

hind leg again.  Ease the saddle blanket on carefully and saddle and girth him up.

your time, talk to him, reassure him, while you do it. You can actually crawl all

horse, take your time patting with both hands everywhere.   Talking to him as you

him thoroughly.  Do not put your foot in the stirrup iron while he is collar roped

weight will likely pull the horse off balance, and he will fall to the nearside with

would be quite easy after you take the saddle off to quietly climb on his back.

hands up and down his legs, several times to the hooves and back.  After 20

this treatment it should be safe to remove the collar  rope,  off the back leg.

    You can then try approaching him in the normal manner.  Rub him down

head and withers and possibly pick up his feet.  Remember to hold his head

on the nearside, as you attempt to pick up  a nearside leg by the fetlock.  If his

firmly brought to the nearside he can not kick you. If he tries, pull on the halter

stop him.   He has to turn right away from you to be able to kick you.   You may

to do all the things you have done previously, when he was collar roped and had

tied up. If the horse is still not leading good enough on horseback, which is

at this stage, make a loop in your catching rope and throw it over his rump. While

your horse in the yard, lead the young one around the circle in the round yard.  It

take a slight tug on the rump rope, to encourage the young horse to travel with

saddle horse.  You could even take him out in the big yard now and do the same.

while you will discover you can discard the head rope behind his rump. So you

    Now back in the round yard.  Dismount and see if you can lead both horses

around the yard.  It will need to be done quite a lot, until he gets used to doing it.

Remove your saddle horse from the yard, and you can probably lead him, by the

he is not leading and turning by then, change over to a long yard, 12 to 20 feet

twice as long. Now encourage the horse to go past you, between you and the fence.

time he passes you, on the end of the rope,  down the fence line, pull him back

the centre of the yard.  Then  let him go the other way and do the same,

turn left and right as you require him to do.   This way you are making the horse

of the hard work,   and you are not just dragging a horse, to the left and the right

puts the strain on you all the time and you are just pulling on his head to lead

you do this for 20 minutes he will be breathing hard puffing a bit. So will you.

him towards you and keep pulling, even if he only takes a couple of steps.  Keep

and reward him with a rub on the forehead and under the eye.  In this manner he

learn to lead.  If he is still stubborn and won`t move back into the round yard, put

head rope around his rump again.  And use it to take him around several times.

him each time with a rub under the eye when he leads.

     At this stage most people are impatient.  If he won`t lead by this time there is

answer.   Hold him, a halter lead length away, by the halter rope, and have a

on the ground.  If he won`t move forward give him a flick behind the front

the whip, it will sting and make him move about and come towards you.  As you

forward, use this process on stubborn horses until they lead properly. Any horse

to lead by this method will lead anywhere, up a ramp, anywhere you`d like to take

don`t believe in too much whip.  But most old time horse breakers will tell you to

necessary.  They couldn`t all be wrong. Still again it can be over done, so be sure

    Go up to your horse and rub him under the eye and on the forehead.  Keep

him all the while, pat his neck and body with both hands, he should be used to

you have done it before. Get your saddle blanket in your right hand, and while

horses head around towards you, put the saddle blanket on his back.  You should

to do so now.  Do it several times until he shows that he is used to it.

  Now to tie him up .  He will be a little bit sore behind the ears from the halter

gave him.  Get a corn sack half full of dirt and tie the neck of it.

 Now tie the halter shank end to the neck of your sandbag securely. Be sure it

off.  Place it in the middle of the round yard.  He is then ground hitched to it.

then go for morning tea, leaving him to learn about being tied up.  Repeat this

he will form the habit of staying where you drop the reins.  And he will not

In the process he may drag the bag about a bit, and pull back some times.  But he

like the weight so he will stand eventually. Later on this should be done in the big

 Now that he will tie up, test him on the yard fence. Use the halter again, ( you

bridles this way. )  Make sure when tieing your halter to the fence, use about 3

between fence and halter. Tie it the fence  at least 5 feet above ground level, with

head in a comfortable position.  This is probably the safest way to tie him up.  If

back and he is tied with too long a lead, he may break his neck.   Don`t tie him

may help to break his neck. Also he can step over the lead and probably throw

Then as he struggles to get up, he will bash his head against the post or yard.  So

how you tie up any horse ! To avoid breaking reins, old time drovers punched a

each rein end and joined them with a light leather bootlace, this would break first

horse pulled back and it often saved bridle reins.  You have avoided hurting him,

bit of care.  So let him go with his mates until the next day.

    On the third day get him back into the round yard with your saddle horse.  It

possible with them both standing together in the yard, to put the halter on him.

 Put your breaking in bridle on him.  Tie the reins around his neck and see that

fits comfortably, in his mouth with no creases in the corners.  In 15 or 20 minutes

should be used to the bit in his mouth, if he is left loose in the yard to try it, so he

work his tongue around it.  Most people these days don`t have proper breaking in

so put your saddle cloth on him, and an old saddle.  Girth him up to keep the

 Tie each rein back to the girth or surcingle straps, evenly

 with his head in it`s normal position, when standing with the reins a little bit

him in the big yard with your saddle horse, for nearly an hour,  or until you think

become used to the bridle bit in his mouth.  After this treatment, shorten the reins

      But not too tight a grip on his mouth, just so he can really

 feel the bit and reins working,  as he turns his head to either side. Let him go

    On the fourth day put on your halter and bridle, plus the cloth and old saddle.

now have stirrup irons attached,  when he is saddled.  Tie the stirrup irons

his chest, with a strap. Your driving reins are run from his bridle bit, back

stirrup iron on each side, these reins or ropes must be long enough to have you

reach behind him if he kicks. Drive him in the round yard, do not be rough on his

be gentle.  A lighter hand makes a better mouth.  Do not see saw the reins.  Make

determined effort to turn right or left and make him do it. I can`t put enough

this driving with the reins.  With perseverance, he should distinctly turn right or

will stop when you decide to. To get him to move forward it maybe necessary, to

him a bit of a flap, with a downward stroke of the driving reins on his rump or

 Or a tap with the end of the reins, these driving reins should be split and 2

used, not tied together,  to avoid being caught by your leg and possibly dragged.

 Don`t be too hard on his mouth as it will be chafed and very tender now. It is a

practice to put vaseline in the corners of his sore mouth, it seems to help.

After a suitable time if he is responding to turns and stops.  If you can now

movements by his mouth, you can very likely ride him, soon.

    Back in the round yard with him, put halter bridle and saddle on our horse.

 Put the reins over the new horses neck, with the offsider holding the horse, by

the halter firmly.  Rein the horse up not too tightly, put your riding boot, right

stirrup iron.  Place your knee against his shoulder, don`t go up and down in the

   Step aboard with your hand on the monkey strap, ( found on Australian stock

keep your body low down, and make a clean movement on to his back. let him

few seconds to get used to your weight on his back.  Now let the offsider lead you

the yard several times, until he is moving freely. Get your offsider to bring in the

in horse, he mounts it and leads your horse by the halter, with a firm grip on the

 lead rope he can control your horse a bit. And so you are led out into the big yard.

around together a few times, then wrap the lead around this new horses' neck.

Disconnected he should travel with the other horse now, around the big yard.   So

    Next day mount him in the same manner in the round yard, go out into the big

together  with your assistant mounted also. We are now going for a short ride

  Make sure the offsider has a good hold on the halter lead, when you go through

 This is a danger point, he may try to run away, but you and your offsider can

mate. After half an hour or so, wrap the halter lead around his neck, he should be

freely now. Don`t over do it, he still can go sour, one to two miles should be

 A young horse should be ridden every day.  He may become slightly harder in the

on one side more than the other.   You then would need to concentrate on this

    Please be patient and get him gaited with distinct walking, not jogging. And a

trot, leading up to a steady canter.  It will take several months of steady riding,

  But you should make every movement of him distinct and deliberate, to give him

doubt of what you require of him.  So much so, that it is noticeable to other

stands out how responsive he has become. When cantering in a circle the inside

should lead the other front one in movement.  When you canter through a figure

circuit, he should change lead legs, to the inside of the turn.  As direction changes

need to change back to the other front leg, in a reverse movement.  The best way

at first, is to go clockwise with the offside leg leading.   Then after a time change

the anti clockwise movement.   With the inside leg leading again now the nearside

leg.  After you have completed these movements, do the figure eight.  Make sure

you do it that the inside leg leads after every turn change.

The legs must change over during the figure eight circuit moves.  It should be

a steady canter,  after he has been schooled into this situation, for example. In a

camp drafting, or hacking, and in every equestrian event.

  It is vital to have your horse do it at the right time. It only comes with practice

few months.  And if the horse is not too excitable.

    A good way to teach a horse to turn and to use his feet, is to ride him up and

fence. Try turning him into the fence, and going back the other way, at a trot and

changing feet in the right manner.  When this can be done cantering or galloping

    All horses are individuals and should be treated as such, it is what I call

their brain. On stud properties all foals should be caught every day and handled

birth. Eventually taught to tie up, pick up their feet often as possible, and try to

complete trust of you. Should they become injured, it is easier to care for them.

 ( Cast your mind back to the teamster, who had no trouble at all.   After handling

foals, from birth to the harnessed stage of their lives.  He could manage by

early days of Australia.  A man on horse back, helped to emphasize the gulf,

employer and the employees, working on distant bush properties, so far away from

    Always pick up his four feet at least once every day right from the beginning. It

it easier for the farrier when he does the shoeing of your horse.

    In the old days most horses were broken in with a crupper on the horse.  Fitted

his tail and attached to a ring at the back of the saddle.  When adjusting it to

do up the buckle, after putting your hand under it to give a four inch gap. This

just fine. After 2 or 3 rides with a crupper installed, he may start to kick up with

legs.  This is a sure sign that the crupper is chafing his tail.  If it's very sore,

    The ideal situation for me, is to put the young horse in a crush.  Let him go to

of the crush, and put 2 rails across behind him through the crush. One rail about

height of his tail and the other one halfway down to his hock.  Walk very quietly

head, he may struggle a bit but he will settle down if you talk quietly.  Let him

hand and rub him on the nose, and rub him beneath the eye, finally a rub all over

patting motion.  Use both of your hands at the same time, this should be kept up

have become very friendly with the horse.  Make sure you have done it right,

everywhere. While patting him hold a halter up to the front of his head, very

now you should be able to put the halter on the horse without any problem.

  If you let the horse go forward through the gate in the crush, into another yard,

catching rope onto the end of your halter lead rope.   Now 2 strong young men,

able to stop the young horse from bolting around the yard.  Hold it until it settles

 Rub him under the eye possibly all over, you have been there all ready.  I have

their feet at this stage, talking and patting as before.

    Two men pulling on the halter should be able to teach this horse to lead, with

halter inside at least half an hour.  Older horses may be more difficult than a 2

The younger they are the quicker they learn, like children.  This applies to foals

yearlings, up to 2 years old.  It can be done with a horse that is older, if they have

placid nature.   This style is called handling the horse, catching it every day in the

    Pick up its feet as often as you can.  If he is too fractious to let you, put a collar

on him.  He may come down on his knees or fall on his side, but if you are careful

  You may need your saddle horse in the yard with you, to get the collar rope on

up the hind leg.  Now dismount and handle the horse on foot as I have stated

teach him to tie up go back to the bag of dirt method.  Approach the young horse

as you can while he is tied to the bag of dirt. He will become used to being caught

the big yard.   A horse is only as good as the man on his back.

    If your usual horse is inclined to play up and pig root, when you get on him, or

little bit, jerk his head up and rouse on him. These horses generally drop their

control from you .  A horse lead at the trot or canter, just after being saddled, led

minutes quickly,  will get his pigrooting out  of his system without you being on

back.  This is an old Drover's  way to get the high spirits out of the way, to avoid

dumped by a horse then fed on chaff & oats for strength .  These horses were

days a week all day and needed  2 litres of oats per day.

 The man from snowy river was a myth, "Single handed and alone he brought

He must have been running in the saddle horses, they certainly weren`t brumbies.

    I`ve yarded a few in my time in the 1930's.  Starting out in the morning about

searching for brumby horse tracks.  Four horsemen we were all together, and

they have got to be good at their job.   At first sight of us these brumbies will run

These horses at their fastest pace, on account of travelling all the time,  become

horses and hardened to it.  Sound winded sure footed and know their habitat.

better mounted on thoroughbreds, lightly shod and well fed, and worked in till

conditioned. The faster these horses are the better mounts. To be sure footed is a

was my job to always go to the lead of the brumbies, another 2 men, one each on

right and left wings of the brumby mob.  And one to bring up the rear.  Old horses

foals may drop out, let them go.  The man in the lead has a woeful job, as do the

the wings.  The chap on the tail or rear, also needs to be game and good,

It was my job  to try and steady the lead, by shouting and crisscrossing in front of

mob.  You travel in this manner, to steady them down.   Eventually you may even

  You will notice the sweat starting to dry on them.  It is an indication that they

slowing down. They should be driven and turned about in this manner, until they

reasonably managed.  Finally after all day at this practice, you may be able to

    As for one man on horse back, he hasn`t a chance of doing what 4 top horsemen

 As soon as they get hot and confused, the brumbies will split and  break away in

twos or little groups, they have to be boxed in by the four riders to stop this

I`d defy any one man on horse back, to act out the part of the man from Snowy

 I will include a little poem of a Brumby horse we caught in the old days.

had one hip down and was not saleable.  A brumby stallion at seven years of age,

was to become a legend in his lifetime, in the brumby running department. These

stallions we rode with a bit of age on them, knew more about handling horses

          (by an 1890 Mungindi Brumby Runner)      Poet :-  Alex Wilkie.

    The myth of the movie maker who knows nothing about horses in harness.

horses cantering in a sulky, cart, or jinker.  Or any horse drawn carriage like a

Cobb and co style, four in tandem or six in tandem.  These horses are

 always cantering in the harness, sometimes for days and days  of a journey. They

    After a horse has done one day in harness at the canter, the top of his neck

chewed out, by the collar and both shoulders worn away to bare red flesh.  It

be done in the movies or allowed to be done anywhere.  All those drivers should be

sacked, for allowing it to happen and the movie maker prosecuted for cruelty to

animals.  They should travel in harness at a walk or jog to a brisk trot, allowing

    Only the experienced eye, will know when these horses have been hardened to

with consistent work.  A good even team, should be able to stretch out and trot

be hurried along.  No horse in harness should have to travel more than 25 miles

miles a day, which is the limit. Yoke a new team up if you must go on, it never

in the movies, they are more like charioteers over a short distance.  If pulling from

band this seesaw action, when cantering in harness is just the same, and just as

Damn all men of this calibre, who mistreat the harnessed horse.

    Old time carriers with their supply wagons or their wool wagons would take

into the inland. They would return loaded with wool to the nearest railway line or

scour, and wool selling places in the capital cities.

    The most ideal setup for a horse team  operator, was a good big solid wagon,

about ,24 good big boned draft horses mostly mares and a stallion .  The pulling

had to be fitted to each individual horse .  These collars range in size from 14

upwards.  The two shafters had to be pretty quiet to be backed into the shafts.

two horses were called the pin horses  and they carried heavy harness, as they,

shafters, were used to turn the wagon right or left .   The harness on the pin

very heavy duty, not only to pull with, but also to take the strain of the horses,

the body of the team effort. They were yoked in pairs of two right up to the

near side leader was picked for his intelligence and was relied on, by the carrier

The off side leader was equally important with the same qualities . When the

spoke to his leaders and pin horses to turn left, he would say.  " GE. GE. GE.".

    When turning right he said, "GE BACK. GE BACK. GE BACK." To get them

forward into the harness and down the road, it was, "GET UP. GET UP. GET

    To stop the wagon, he said "WHORP . WHORP . WHORP . OR WOE."

     Bullock drivers also  spoke to their bullock teams. When bringing them to the

said " WHA WHE ".   If they were to turn right, it was "HOOT OVER. HOOT

Every individual animal had a name and he knew it.   If he was slacking and not

his share of the load or weight, sometimes a dig in the ribs was enough to get

     The mares were not worked to the  point of foaling, the teamster knew when,

the day she would foal.  He kept service information in his notebook to know when

might  come. The mare was given a few days off to have it travelling with the

These spare horses were brought along by a cattle dog, or blue heeler, whose job

bring any wanderers back to the travelling mob.  After being told his job for a

dog did it without instructions keeping the horses in close to the rear of the

a horse wouldn`t pull his weight or wasn`t a good worker, these horses were called

and they were usually sold to a farmer, where they might pull a one horse plough

    The teamster would not breed from this type of horse to avoid producing

     When the foals were born they were brought on camp, and the teamster or

 He caught it by placing his left arm under its neck, and the right arm around the

quarters.  He would rub it down and pat  it and talk to it, this was done every day

they grew up with no fear of man. These foals were even taught to lead and had

picked up often, to make them easier to handle,  shoe, or doctor.  This handling

till they reached 2 years of age.  At two years old, after the team was yoked up to

wagon in two strings of single horses, the young horse was placed in between the

of horses, which were brought together leaving the young horse in the middle.  A

chain  was connected across the string in front of him, and another chain was

across behind him.  leaving him in a crush where he could be harnessed up,

place of a horse at his side, this horses' chains being transferred to the new horse.

the horse he replaced was led out of the body of the team, leaving him to learn the

 Of course you understand, that these young horses, right from the  start at birth,

caught almost every day whenever possible.   Not much horse busting in this

    Most teamster, tried to eventually breed horses of the same colour a favoured

I`ve seen some teams with brown bally  horses and mares, that looked exactly

of them yoked plus spares.  Some teamsters were perfectionists, and went for

brass fittings all exactly the same, brass  covered steel ames with little sleigh bells

attached to the ames on the high top. The Teamsters polished the brass in their

in motion they were a sight to behold, never to be seen again in the lonely inland.

Sometimes in a drought the carrier would have to bring a spare wagon to carry

supplies, plus feed and water for the team on the long dry stretches outback.  He

master of his environment. He fed his horses on whole corn and chaff from a

trough, made to fit both shafts of the wagon, where some of the horses were fed.

carried with him hessian home made troughing, and the horses could be watered

100 gallon  tank on the ground, filled from the main supply wagon. If good grass

water were available he never fed at all. He kept his  saddle horse on a tether

always had a swivel link in the chain to avoid chain tangles.   The horse wore a

on his neck, and the teamster could  tell what each horse was doing and where he

    All horses seem to mate up to form their own groups, so it was necessary to

bell on each separate group.  Some of the bells usually condamine type, were up to

pounds weight and could be heard  about 10 miles away.  On a cold winter

could tell by the sound of the bell what the bell ringer was doing, you read the

knew whether the horse was feeding,  drinking, walking or trotting

away. Horses that are over worked and used up, won`t settle down, not even on

grass and water.      They are like ourselves, if they have a long hard day their

become jangled, and they will try to get as far as possible away from their work

during the night.  I think, you could call it running away from slavery .

    It`s a sad thing when you see horses that have been overworked, their

  These rough type of men who drove their horses to the limits of their endurance,

ones, the mongrels I speak about now.   Some of these human animals would cut

about six feet long and would tie a chain on the end of it.

 This then was used to bash the horse into place, in his collar in the team.     To

of thinking they had no place in the carrying business, or delving boredrains and

making of earth tanks or dams for water supplies.  They were obnoxious and I

  The chain whips were called jinglers, thank god those beasts of burden have

released from slavery.  Something should have been written about the misuse of

Camels, Bullocks , and Horses, by some of our brutal ancestors and of their

    A  good bush rule all riders should abide by, is never sweat a horse after 4

the evening, particularly, in winter he will be cold all night.  If very hot and let go

horse will shiver! all night, very hard on the animals.  After a days work in the

make absolutely sure you never gallop a horse home after he has finished his

    If you gallop your horse home when your work is finished, he will become

and very excitable.  The habit will die with him. Remember a set of shoes and a

warm rug for the winter, are as good as an extra feed to the animal.  In my

working horses should be shod and rugged in the winter months. Horses are very

possessive in their habitat, and will protect it from other horses. It is in their

so. They will charge outsiders, biting, striking, and kicking, and sometimes

horse over a fence, causing injury to the intruder.  It`s not a good idea to allow a

foal in a paddock with her mates, some horses will object to the foal very strongly.

the other hand, some mares will take control of the foal, and will not allow it near

mother.             I've seen geldings do this also. In some respects, they  are like

ourselves, they don`t accept strangers readily.  Horses have good memories. Even

parted for years, they will accept old mates back into the mob readily. The

a mare, although parted  for years, will readily recognise and accept one another

If a horse is lost by an owner, or even a few horses together, 99 times out of a

they will travel in the direction of their habitat.  I have seen horses

travel hundreds of miles, and sometimes after months reach their natural home or

    Remember bad habits can develop quickly. If he gets a win over you he will

And good habits occur through repetition and handling by the owner, good habits

be rewarded and encouraged, bad habits discouraged  with some sensible

bad ones should be prevented by firm action and discipline.

    If you are lost in the bush on horseback, give the horse his head and he`ll take

home. He is a better bushman than you are, this is quite a natural thing for the

do.  On approaching a horse anywhere even the quietest animal, make sure it is

talking to it. It may be asleep standing up, with its eyes open.  I have been

hurt twice, by two of the quietest horses I have ever owned.  It was all my own

even though I spoke to these two on approach they didn't hear me.  They may

No horse will carry an adult person in the saddle in deep water.  When the horse

swim grab the mane, hobbles strapped on his neck or the pommel  of the saddle

alongside it. If this fails slide back and  grab the tail, the horse can`t kick you

swimming  A non swimmer is likely to miss the tail and drown.

 If you are a non swimmer make no attempt to cross deep water on horseback.

Throughout my lifetime all the non swimmers I've known, ended up dead in the

    If riding an unshod horse avoid stony roads, ridges, and bitumen, pick a soft as

 Horses bred on blacksoil plains will grow up with big flat feet like dinner plates.

type of horses should be shod all of the time, they go sore footed and develop corns

nodules on the bottom of their hooves.  Splits and cracks in the hoof  occur, and

    The best possible place to breed horses with good hard feet and sure footedness,

place with plenty of sweet grass on the feeding grounds, where the horses have to

across a stony or rocky ridge to their watering place.  This will develop well

shaped hooves and sure footedness in the horse, this is hardly ever considered by

     Of course horses like other animals need shade trees to get under in the heat

day. They also like a patch of scrub to get into in winter to keep warm,  called

    When mustering horses or cattle, at the first opportunity, an accomplished

should go straight to the lead and block them up immediately.   If they are

free for a few miles they become hot and unmanageable.  This stockman should

the lead at all times.  It is called steadying the lead. Remember, the mob will

saddle horse to the yard.  Inexperienced riders should avoid this issue like the

account of the dangers involved.  Of course there will be other riders on the wing,

    An experienced rider is one, who has ridden 7 different horses 7 days a week

years, with intelligence guts and gumption in that period.  Then they may become

accomplished horseman and know the reason why. If you have worked on station

properties and have ridden good and bad horses, some of them very dangerous to

battling bad horses just to go to work, you will understand a west Queensland

    A heavy rider can learn to ride in motion, picking up the stride of the horse and

moving with it in the saddle.  This rock and roll action of the horse and man

together, where man and beast become as one, is called easy style, or balanced

has been recognised by bushmen that a balanced rider on a bucking horse, will

longer than the death grip rider type.  The grip rider holds on by brute strength,

the monkey or horn of the saddle in a rough spot or if his horse crowhops or shies

 It is a well known fact of life that all horses respond better to a light hand on the

 Reefing, or strong handed tactics, only hurts his mouth.

 Light hands should be practiced from the very start, while the horse is being

seems the civilised thing to do.                  Remember, they are being gentled, not

broken or busted, which they will object to.  Rough treatment while breaking him

mouthing him, will put fear into him plus resentment.  He becomes hard mouthed

unmanageable to ride.  When breaking him in you really want him to trust you,

fear man and his touch.  You gain his confidence by being firm but gentle.

 BUSH LOGIC INVOLVED   GAINED AFTER A LIFETIME IN THE BUSINESS

    Get to know your own horses hoof tracks, study them well.

To know them sure enough, you look at his hooves and study them too.

body should know the hoof mark on the ground of their own horse, and rubber

 None are the same and all are definitely different, they are turned at different

Be it cracks in the hooves, long toes, on individual feet, some their hooves turned

only one hoof turned out.  The frog in the foot is different like a fingerprint,

Some are pigeon toed with their front feet turned in, scooping the dirt outward on

  Others with them turned out, called a paddler, I would reject that horse.  Some

their heels more than their toes and vice versa.   Other horses using their hind

over the front track up to 20 inches, a rough horse to ride and some  right back

one inch over the front track.       Other horses hind leg feet can step into the

or on top of the front track, they travel well.   Horse`s steps can vary from 1 inch

the front foot, to a measure of 12 inches behind the front foot, in the extreme only.

    Particularly, look for a horse that does over step his front foot slightly, they are

walkers and a smooth horse to ride.   Any horse that walks with his front feet and

with his hind feet, his hips are lower and the hindquarters smaller.

 They are unusual and a good horse to ride, and a smart mover particularly on a

they get over the ground quickly but are not a show hack.  A horse with a low

a high rump is not for me to ride, but could travel well in harness.

    Hence the old adage.  1 white foot buy him, two white feet try him, three white

look around him, four white feet let him go to hell.  Some white footed horses have

    A good horse should stand up well with a wide forehead, normal or small ears

big soft protruding eye.  He has an obvious jawline and good big nostrils, the neck

be a straight line from his ears to the top of the withers, and in proportion with

his body.  He should have a good sloping shoulder in proportion with his neck and

clearance from the top of his wither to his armpit. So when saddled the girth and

will be behind the armpit, and  will not girth gall him.  He should be deep and

the wither to the girth, plenty of breathing space with a good chest and chest

A good big rib cage indicates good breathing capacity a basic necessity in a

horse.  His back line should be in equal proportion, not swampy backed or drop

front of the wither.  From the wither to the rump will be about the same height,

allowing for the contours in between.   Long backs  are out, he should be wide

both hip bones and  have a long extended rump, that is wide and quite large in

comparison with the body of the horse.  A rounded rump allowing the hinges of his

bones to be slightly dropped, where they hinge to the rump.  These features

speed, his hind legs should  conform with his flanks allowing him to stride out

 To stand up correctly he should be wide between the hocks, to stand up nice and

and not cow hocked with them almost rubbing together, or turned outwardly or

They should be square to look at, this allows a better turning performance and is

and stamina in the animal.  He should have good upright fetlocks and not

 Look for big bones in both front and  back legs with long pasterns, or fetlocks, the

cannon bones should be good and strong.  Short pastern bones indicate cross

carry hair behind the fetlocks.  Their hooves should be black if possible and should

    My horse would have to be 15.2 hands or taller and conform with the above

description, if they have a good forelock, mane, and tail it is an advantage they

better.  A very thin skin is not an advantage, and a yellow bay is not for me.  My

is a thoroughbred to ride, pack, or drive, and in every instance where the animal

    I am not forgetting your special horse the one you love the best, and I do

animal regardless of the breeding  or his habits or characteristics.

    The foundation in everything is the most important in a good house etc, it

firm and reliable, so too in the horse of your choice.  This comes back to the dam

 The most evident thing is the mare if she has all the qualifications.  As I have

previously the dam should be good and quiet and have no fractious behaviour

and not be highly strung. She should be placid and unexcitable in any

hardly ever considered by horse breeders. For instance a studbook mare and

pony or thoroughbred, amounts to the same thing and should be a good performer.

No matter what the breed is, the thing to do is to find a stallion, with a past

high performance. A stallion from a background in lineage,  which have in their

records been highly regarded by the experts.  But remember all thoroughbreds are

produced in this manner, but only 5 percent ever win races.  Never the less they

well in other spheres or avenues, Pony club , Police, Show ring, Cross country,

events.  Particularly Hunting,  these horses are special and should be treated as

would never consider the glue factory, the pet food, or the knackery for them.   For

have an average lifespan of 20 years, if they are cared for, in a decent manner .

   TRACKING A STRANGE HORSE IN THE BUSH, GETTING TO KNOW THE

SIZE, SEX, AND COLOUR  OF THE ANIMAL BEFORE YOU FIND IT..

    Tracking is a tribal instinct for Aborigines, but it is essential for Stockmen.

big mob of horses travelling I could pick out and get to know 5 horses in one day,

their tracks.  Every new day, I would get to know another separate 5.   So I was

memorising more, up to possibly a hundred in the finish.   If these horses split

mobs at night,  I could tell you after a quick look at their tracks, which horses

particular mob.  You can have them in your mind like the alphabet or 1 to 100.

When tracking a strange horse in the bush, it will be small medium or large in the

that will indicate to me the size of the animal, the track will be in your mind size

size 3. All pony sizes 4, 5, and 6 will be 14.5 hands high.     Over size 6 for

would be a big thoroughbred type. He could carry a 14 stone man anywhere.

 Size 7 and 8 will be huge plenty of bone and quite a big horse probably 16 and

hands tall.  When measuring, 1 hand is the width of your hand 4 inches, half a

inches, you measure from the top of the wither to the ground .

  When following the stranger, the stallion or gelding, you will see where he has

out to pass urine.  He will step with his hind leg into his own urine, usually into

middle of it, in every instance.  This tells you the stranger is a male.  If it is a

will drop his droppings on the top of other older droppings. Sometimes you will see

heaps of dung, a gelding will not do this.   If it is a mare passing urine, when she

urine it will run into her back hoof tracks.  So by  now we will know what kind of

we are tracking.  Find out too the colour of the animal.  Each day that horse will

least once,  If it is springtime they will roll many times a day, rubbing the dead

of their skin.  If you study carefully you will know the colour, by the hairs left on

ground.  Free ranging horses during wet weather hardly drink at all, they have a

skin and absorb water through their hide.  In winter time they only drink once a

spring and autumn twice a day, very hot weather 3 to 5 times a day.  If they can

water they will roll in it and pollute it and stir up the mud.

    A horse is an animal of habitat.   Particularly with a stallion of mature years,

with a mob of mares in wild country.  He will mark out his territorial boundaries,

drive from the mob all young colts from 18 months upward, keep them out at all

      These young colts will form groups together and live in that manner.  Until

when one is old enough, he will return to the mob time and time again.  The

stallion will become the king of the herd.  Some old stallions will fight till they are

    He rejects all herd instincts, by living by himself continuously. He knows no

or common horse instincts he has a code of his own.  He does not know any

his capabilities.      By living a lonely life he does  not recognize any of the horse

everyday activities.  He develops his own.    These horses are rare and after being

captured, on account of what he is he has no limitations, he will have a go at

you put him at.  You may depend he`ll do his best in any circumstances.

a fact that they are a rare and wonderful animal.  They only give of their best .

disadvantage, a loner may take some finding in his scrub retreat. A bell is the

      Mares can be served after one year old, but better results are achieved after

years.  Mares, have bred foals up to the age 38 years or so.  Mares come into

in the early spring and summer, up to 4 days at a period, repeating every 4 weeks

 Some stallions can serve up to 80 mares, in a season of 3 months plus, after 4

age. If a stallion is  3 years and under, limit the services to 20 or less.

     If the mare doesn`t come into season, after 3 weeks past her being served, she

probably in foal, but not always true. Check 16 days after her heat period ends,

come into season again, this is more exact timing. Some mares though not

    Forty eight and a half weeks, or about 340 days normally, sometimes, down to

 Normal birth takes place over a 15 minute period, and if it takes longer she may

 The placenta usually comes out after some minutes, and up to 30 minutes later,

don`t usually retain the placenta.  Foals can be born in the placenta envelope, and

brought out of it to survive, as he can`t breathe inside it.

     If after a month of pregnancy she swells up abnormally and is very large

4 legs, you can treat the condition with a drench of this mixture.

 10 drops digitalis fluid extract,  HALF a pint of water.

Mixed and given daily till some improvement occurs, the swelling usually goes

and can be caused by pressure on the veins in the groin area, and isn`t dangerous.

not to be confused with a dropped belly, rupture of the pre pubic tendon .

    You have a new foal if he doesn`t breathe, clear any mucous from his mouth

If he is too big to lift throw him from one side to the other using his legs to throw

 Splash him with cold water it may start him, or try shaking him and slapping

into his mouth or nose to start him breathing, If he breathes now, fix his umbilical

 Tie a  knot around the umbilical cord 2 inches from the navel. Use some cord you

 Cut the cord on the placenta side separating it from the foal. Disinfect the site

to avoid complications. Place him in front of the mother and let her lick off the

covering he will have . If she won`t do it dry him yourself.

 Foals born in yards, are possibly more in danger of getting diseases than paddock

foals, such as, Enteritis, White Scours,   and   Pneumonia.

    The ideal foaling paddock is a small hilly paddock, at all times kept for this

His next trouble may be constipation if no manure is evident from him, try a

his rectum or an enema, use soapy water.   Mix half a pint of glycerine to a gallon

water.  Clear the passage up his rectum with your fingers.   Use a luke warm

foot tube and a funnel, put the small tube just inside his rectum,

and start the mixture flowing through the funnel, gently push the tube in to the

about 7 inches.  Check his bowel action after this and give him more enemas if

    If he looks tucked up, and her udder is full he may not be getting a drink, tie

 If she still won't let him suck, pick up her front fetlock ,and show him to his meal

teat, watch them until she accepts him.  After  he gets the first milk, called

he digests it, he should produce black manure quite resinous

from his intestines. If no black manure is produced constipation may be here.

 New born animals who don`t get the colostrum in the milk, should be given castor

some mild laxative to get the bowels working properly .

 His mother may not get her milk for hours after birth, so give the foal a drink of

water, with some glucose   half and half mixture, and keep him warm .

    When travelling EAST walk into the sun, at noon, 12 o'clock, midday, the

a tree will be in a complete circle around the butt of a tree.  From noon onward

shadow of the trees will lengthen to the east, travel that way even by watching

  In the afternoon the sun will be shining on the middle of your back, until it sets

sunset.  If travelling north at sunrise the sun will be on your right shoulder, until

on your left  shoulder until sunset.  When travelling south the  sun at sunrise will

your left shoulder, until noon and on your right shoulder until sunset.  If

sunrise the sun will be on your back until noon, it will be in your  face until

is overcast don`t panic study the timber particularly our native trees, my

that the trees have a tendency to open their branches to the NORTH  and SOUTH

allowing the sun to shine through.  Trees will even twist their branches, around in

 It seems in their nature to do this over the length and breadth of Australia, if you

what I have said you may conclude like I did, that mature timber will grow in this

to about 75 percent on average.  To check this out in heavily timbered country,

find that grey green moss grows on the southern side of most trees, it may be only

shading of the above  but it will be there in most cases.

    Looking for water in the outback.  Where there are domesticated

stock and kangaroos, they create a pad or pathway to the nearest water.  More

you study it well the pathways or pads come together to a point, which forms a

closer you get to that watering point  more of the v`s comes together, the "V"

    A good hat and a solid pair of boots, matches or a cigarette lighter, and a knife,

survival knife would do nicely.  A water bottle over your shoulder.  Not forgetting

large plastic bags to pull over a small very green tree, or a very leafy limb of a

must hang down wrap the neck of the bag around the limb or tree and tie it on, at

water moisture will gather in the bottom of the bag, not much but some enough to

on.    When lost don`t climb over a fence stay on your side of it, unless you can

obviously see water on the other side of it. Never cross a river unless, you can see

habitation on the other bank.   If I came to a river I would follow the stream

will find human habitation on it, the same applies to boredrains

.  A small fishing line is always handy, most streams have edible mussels in the

edges if you feel around to find them, (good fish bait), crayfish in the boredrains

Sometimes small fish and mussels are found in boredrains.  Remember a road will

that river or watercourse somewhere,  stay on the road at that  point, and keep a

smoky fire going day and night so you can be seen by the searchers.  Most gullies

downhill will eventually lead to water, don`t panic, most people do, keep a cool

not let yourself become irrational, keep your clothes on and keep something warm

    Never walk away from your car, stay with it.  In the inland you should carry at

gallons of water, extra fuel and oil plus several spare tyres, fan belts, and radiator

A good tool kit and a jack, wheel spanner, and a tyre pump, tyre levers, tubes,

tyre sleeves.  A small bog puller is a handy gadget, it can also be used to put

tubeless tyre, to squeeze the tubeless tyre back on to the safety rim, so it can be

up again. I have used a car jack to remove a tyre from a wheel, by placing the jack

on the side of tyre, and under the bumper bar or chassis of a car.  Wind the jack

inches and sit on the mudguard or stand on the bumperbar, move up and down to

the tyre, it might take some time, but it will come off in the finish. Another way to

the bead of the tyre from the wheel, is to carry a short plank say 5x2 inches solid

hardwood, approximately 3 feet long, maybe an old step.

      Put the flat tyre and wheel in front of your car in line on the drivers side of

place the very edge of the plank on the side of tyre up close to the wheel rim but

it, then drive the car up the plank to the top of it, and put on the car hand brake

it.  Then you will have the full weight of the car on the tyre with the plank in

Stand onthe bumper bar and rock  the car, the tyre beads should break and drop,

while it breaks the seal. I have performed this operation with a guide post on the

the road, so carry an axe.  Remember a small tarpaulin, a swag if any in the boot,

can, some tea and sugar, a few tins of corn beef, and hard tack biscuits, will take

room in the vehicle. No doubt they will be appreciated if bogged or broken down

might save your life.  A good idea to stay on the main drag or road, don`t ever go

side track if you don`t know where its leading to, it maybe an old mining road

hundreds of kilometers and  going  nowhere. It may have recent wheel tracks on

Ignore this plenty have followed them  at their peril.

    When travelling in the outback leave your name at Hotels, and Police stations,

where you intend to go. Get advice locally about roads, rivers, and directions.

   Every motor vehicle in the outback should have a C.B. radio or flying doctor

high frequency radio transmitter, is very handy if you are in trouble.

 As long as some one hears you. Many people have been rescued after calling on

C.B. radio for help, from any one listening.  Most C.B. radio people will help you,

calling their  local Policemen, who then contact the Police in the rescue area.

  Some of these good C.B. people, will ring the Police in your area usually by

S.T.D.telephone, sometimes from thousands of miles away.

    C.B. radio, Ham radio, and Flying Doctor radios, can reach out to other users of

 Who you get to answer you is the one listening on the band, or

frequency, that you use.  So check with the department of communications

for a list of the monitored frequencies eg, channel 9 on a 40 channel C.B. radio is

emergency channel,  where you call for help when you are in trouble mate.

3 sth stn rd booval 4304
Ipswich Queensland Australia