Australian Stock Horse

In response to demands of the Australian environment, selective breeding was performed in order to develop the Australian Stock Horse.  In 1788, the First Fleet brought horses to eastern Australia, containing English thoroughbred and Spanish blood, as well as Arabs, and Welsh Mountain ponies.

The need for horses in Australia during this time were for traveling long distances daily, and due to those requirements, the weak horses were culled.  Strong horses were used to breed more horses essential to the survival of the colony.

Originally called the Waler, the Australian Stock Horse was recognized after the First World War.  In 1971, the Australian Stock Horse Society was created, in order to recognize and formally organize the Australian breed of horses.  In order to be included in the Australian Stock Horse registry, the horse had to score 50 pounts out of 100.