Global Horse Culture

An Interesting Saddle Collection

Christiane Yeardsley, of Narrawin Stud in Australia, has an interesting and diverse collection of saddles. The one pictured, for example, is a Maremma saddle from Italy. It is treeless - instead the leather is heavily stuffed with padding. The quilted floral pattern on the seat adds a decorative touch.

Since Narrawin Stud specializes in easy-gaited horse breeds, from the Paso Fino to the Icelandic, Christiane has many saddles specifically designed for these horses. Christiane says, "My goal was always to acquire functional equipment, and everything I own, I use."

I asked Christiane how she started collecting. She said:

"I acquired the first few interesting ones in about 2002. I've always had an interest in the horse breeds, riding cultures and equipment of other countries. I'm from a German background. When I first started riding in the Seventies, every self-respecting person there still had a Warmblood. The Icelandic horse and the lifestyle that it brought with it was just getting off to a roll. Equitana in Essen was just starting to feature exotic breeds, and I remember seeing Peruvian horses and gear; Spanish, Western and Camargue horses and saddlery for the first time. Ever since then, I was hooked.

"We had Haflingers when in Germany, and soon I was experimenting with fancy costumes and bridles but didn't have enough pocket money for fancy saddles. But the acquisition of an old and only partially intact German army saddle led to hours of fun in returning it [to useable condition].  I was also lucky to have friends who had lived in Afghanistan for several years and had brought back with them a selection of saddlery. I spent hours looking at their gear and used every opportunity to borrow and try things out.

"After coming to Australia in 1982, I spent several years just competing in various disciplines. I found Australia to be a land of horses, but no breadth of horse culture. Knowledge of 'other ways' of riding, horse breeds and gear was, and still is, very limited. I was thrilled to discover the Australian stock saddle when I came, and I still regard this type of saddle highly, using it daily when I start young horses. However, when I started working with gaited horse breeds (American Saddlebreds, Pasos and later on Icelandic Horses), I really became interested in alternative methods and equipment again."

I asked Christiane what's still missing from her collection. She said, "I'm particularly fond of Spanish/Portuguese saddlery, but love the variety of the South American gear that can be found. I would like to add a Camargue saddle to my collection. And then there is Asia! [...] I'm fascinated by the saddles of Japan and the stirrup design. My books about Samurai show several such, but frustratingly, never in enough detail to determine the rigging and other attachments. So much more to learn!"

Take a look at Christiane's website to see dozens of saddles with informative descriptions, and additional pages featuring stirrups, bits, and other accessories.

Photos from www.narrawin.com, used with permission. Thanks, Christiane!

Australian Stockman's Challenge

For those more familiar with the cowboy culture of the US or other regions of the world, here's an interesting look at Australian Stockman's culture. The annual competition promoted in this video shows clips from the variety of skills the stockmen and required to demonstrate - from cross-country riding to properly loading and leading a pack horse; from "buckjumping" (bronc riding) to handling cattle and a cattle dog from horseback. It's an interesting look at some of Australia's traditional horse culture.

king of the ranges - promo from leslie wand on Vimeo.

Thanks for the suggestion, Paddy!

A War Horse of Diverse Heritage

The Waler is a scarce breed originating in Australia, where it was bred as a fine cavalry and stock horse during the era of the British Empire. Walers were highly regarded for their stamina, hardiness, agility, trainability and bravery in battle.  By the 1940s the cavalry breeding program had been abandoned, and most remaining Walers were turned loose, becoming feral horses, while others went on to develop into the modern Australian Stock Horse. In the mid 1980s a move was made to round up surviving feral Walers, which were at risk of being shot or sent to slaughter as part of a government eradication program. The Waler Horse Society of Australia was formed at that time, and has been active in promoting this hardy, athletic breed as a sport horse.

The Waler has an interesting background, being strongly influenced by the Indonesian Timor Pony and the South African Cape Horse, with much additional mixture of European coach and trotting horse breeds, draft horses, Thoroughbred, and Arab. The original Waler was not bred according to fixed standards, but rather by type; today it continues to be quite variable in appearance. However, the new organization takes into account the current preference for purebred horses, and requires registration and breeding records to be kept.

Yarramalong Waler Stud has a wesbite full of photos showing historic and modern Walers in all sorts of activities. Also interesting is this page which quotes from dozens of historic sources, revealing the varied breeding programs and types of horse used by the military. They are affiliated with another association, the Waler Horse Owners & Breeders Association, which has broken away from the Society mentioned above, with somewhat different breeding guidelines and goals.

The Warlander

Begun in Australia, this new breed is a blend of Friesian and Andalusian blood. The resulting horse has the "baroque" physique of the Friesian and Andalusian, but is lighter and more compact than the Friesian, but more substantial (and hairier!) than the Andalusian. The breed is supported by The International Warlander Society and Registry, which sets requirements of breeding and conformation. The breed was begun in the early 1990s, and has gained a modest following, with breeders in Europe, Australia and the USA (particularly California).