Harness, Saddlery & Transport
Australia had an extremely high standard of saddlery and harness, once, these places were tremendous employers too.
War Facts for Kids
Ambulances, famous battles, bugles and more: basic WW1 facts for children to help answer some of those difficult ANZAC Day questions.
Waler Pony in History
Ponies were very popular, particularly for racing, which was run in height classes. There was a huge market for ponies for racing overseas too, a significant trade for us.
Mark Radium Record Jumping Waler Pony
Small, ugly, mean – yet the star of the times! Bigger than any filmstar – when Mark Radium competed at shows he was so popular that sideshow alley closed!
He’s not descended from the Radium made popular by the ASH, but from a Radium far better known in those times.
Timor Pony in History
Tracing Timor Pony history in Australia is a fascinating exercise, reading through old newspaper articles paints a real picture of how plentiful and well regarded these ponies were.
Welsh Ponies and Cobs
Welsh Ponies and Cobs are a significant background breed of the Waler, the most numerous imported ponies in our early history (apart from the Timor Pony).
Arab Horses
Arab horses (now Arabian – using terms of the day for historical context; ‘Arabian’ was used very rarely). Continuing the background of the Waler…
Cleveland Bay
Cleveland Bay – an important background breed of the Waler. Now the rarest horse breed in the world – facing extinction – this handsome, superlative horse breed was once highly popular in Australia.
Suffolk Punch
Now critically endangered in Australia and the UK, the loveable Suffolk Punch is a founding breed of the Waler.
The Roadster
Old newspaper photos, despite the quality, provide a pictorial guide to this founding breed of the Waler.