The Australian Stock Horse is one of the most versatile breeds in the world.
They are used for a variety of purposes, such as ranching, pleasure riding, polo, showjumping etc.
In addition, they are also very gentle and good-natured, making them ideal for recreational riding.
If you’re looking for a horse that can do it all, then an Australian Stock Horse is the right breed for you!
Australian Stock Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Australian Stock horse:
| Height (size) | 14.0 – 16.2 hands high |
| Colors | All solid colors |
| Country of Origin | Australia |
| Common Uses | They are used in many competitive disciplines like polo, polocrosse, dressage, campdrafting, show jumping, eventing, and endurance riding. They are also desirable as working cow horses on cattle stations. |
Australian Stock Horse Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
The origins of the Australian Stock Horse can be traced back to the arrival of the First Fleet in Botany Bay in January 1788, when the first nine horses were imported.
The Thoroughbred, the Cape of Good Hope Horse (which is largely descended from the Barb and the Spanish horse), the Arabian, the Timor Pony, and the Welsh Mountain pony were some of the original horse breeds that were brought over during these first imports.
The Australian Stock Horse is one of the oldest horse breeds in Australia, second only to the Brumby.
This horse was bred specifically for its power and stamina.
It is part of Australia’s National Heritage, and there are around 190,000 registered stock horses in the country today.
To ensure the continued health and strength of the Australian Stock Horse breed, only the healthiest individuals were permitted to continue the breeding process, while the less sturdy animals were culled.
Adding to their strength, more Thoroughbreds were brought to Australia in the 1830s for breeding.
Since then, only the American Quarter Horse also used to breed the Australian Stock Horse.
There is substantial debate around the usage of Quarter Horse bloodlines, with some breeders opting to stick with older Stockhorse lines rather than the Quarter Horse.
Those who wish to import blood from outside the society are required to pay extremely high fees to the society; this serves as an incentive for breeders to only import horses that are of high quality.
The Australian Stock Horse, like the Brumby, is regarded as a significant aspect of the country’s history.
In the flatter areas of Australia’s outback, the Australian Stock Horse has been mostly displaced by helicopters and motorbikes.
In spite of this, there is nothing that can compete with the stock horse when it comes to rounding up cattle in the rough and mountainous terrain.
Over 100 campdrafters and horse breeders gathered in Tamworth, New South Wales, in June 1971 to form the Australian Stock Horse Society, which recognized Australian Stock Horses as a distinct breed.
There is substantial debate around the usage of Quarter Horse bloodlines, with some breeders opting to stick with older Stock Horse lines rather than the Quarter Horse.
Those who wish to import blood from outside the society are required to pay extremely high fees to the society; this serves as an incentive for breeders to only import horses that are of high quality.
The Australian Stock Horse is often referred to as ‘The breed for every need’.
The Australian Stock Horse was also famously utilized during the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Sydney, Australia.
The ceremony was performed to the music of a specially written Olympics version of the main theme from the film The Man from Snowy River.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
n/a
Temperament/Personality
Intelligent, brave, calm and responsive
Physical Characteristics
Compared to its size, the Australian Stock Horse is very well-proportioned.
However, there are some characteristics that breeders look for, and these include large eyes, a broad forehead, well-defined withers, a deep chest, a strong and broad back, and strong hind quarters.
In general, a desired Australian Stock Horse will not be too stocky but will have strong muscles.
They are strong and have good stamina.
They are agile horses with a sure-footed walk.
Colors
All solid colours
Height (size)
14.0 – 16.2 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
n/a
Blood Type
Warm
Common Uses
They are used in many competitive disciplines like polo, polocrosse, dressage, campdrafting, show jumping, eventing, and endurance riding.
They are also desirable as working cow horses on cattle stations.
Health
n/a
Popular Traits
n/a
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Australia
Ancestors
Cape of Good Horse, Arabian, Thoroughbred, Timor Pony, Welsh Mountain Pony, Quarter Horse (mid 20th century)