The history of the Australian Waler

The history of the Waler began with the importation of the first horses to the colony of New South Wales in 1788, when a shipment of 7 (mostly) Arabian horses comprising 1 stallion, 5 mares and a colt arrived from Cape Colony. Ten years later there were 117 in NSW, and in 1799 the English Thoroughbred Rockingham was brought over, providing a great boost for local horse breeders.

Early colonial horse breeders in Australia had the advantage of starting fresh, free from equine disease and the past mistakes of other horse breeders, together with a rigorous sea voyage which had the effect of weeding out the less than fit.

By the end of the 1800's, Australian horses were being exported to India alone at a rate of 5000 per year, and Australia became the sole supplier of remount horses to the British & Indian armies.

Walers, a name coined when referring to the horses of New South Wales, were bred in limestone-rich valleys, where the lush grass provided a highly nutritious diet. Limestone ensured the production of good bone, and in the hilly country foals quickly learned to pick up their feet and step lightly.

Extremes in the Australian climate ensured the development of dry, hard hooves, and the horses also developed the ability to endure the stress of prolonged journeys through dry country on grass feed alone. These environmental influences, combined with the breeding discretion of our colonial fore-fathers, brought about a horse who was a naturally adept cavalry mount, polo pony and genuine all-rounder.