Welcome to winter brrrrrrrrr ...

this issue has a focus on much needed funding and we ask all our loyal supporters for help ...  every dollar counts, winter hay bills due to floods have been much higher than average. The first half of this year has been devoted to major costly clean ups after the floods in Bellingen and several paddocks are still waterlogged.

Alas, we did not qualify for flood relief.   The Brumbies are not complaining, quality lucerne hay in lieu of soggy grass suits them well and due to the generosity of their Sponsors they are snug and warm in doona rugs on cold nights. NEBS has also come in for a fair share of rain and freezing temperatures; horses need extra hay in winter to keep warm and come what may with the budget STB Brumbies are always well fed.

Master Horseman Carlos Tabernaberri is conducting a clinic at Bellingen Sanctuary on  25th October.   Whether you are a participant or observer don’t miss out on this great opportunity to see Carlos in action and to benefit from his philosophy and teachings.  Contact Jan for bookings, where to stay etc. and do visit his web site: www.whisperingacres.com.au This horseman is truly amazing.   Some of our Friends will be taking part with their sponsored Brumbies and we encourage all horse lovers to come along.

RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE completes filming and the shows are scheduled for August.

We regretted that we did not have STB Nikki under saddle in time for the final session but there is no way we will hurry horses to suit a film schedule.   Starting a Brumby within a few weeks of capture is not in the best interests of the horse, they need time to settle and adjust to domesticity first.   We don’t compromise with training, the horses tell us when they are ready to move on to the next stage in their

development.    STB Felix has been placed with a wonderful family and Nikki, 3 months later, is under saddle.   This young mare is quiet and safe and ready now, for Adoption.

Nikki’s first ride with Luke and Lisa with Sprite.

NPWS REPORT

HRC meeting has not yet been set and trapping has been curtailed due to wet weather and access to trapping sites.   We expect more horses at any time but this will depend on Parks Agenda, keep in touch with our web site Adoption link for new arrivals.

EXCITING NEWS FROM THE HUNTER VALLEY ... Kath Massey has formally established the Hunter Valley Brumby Association Inc. Together with her magnificent Heritage Brumby, STB Kells Diesal they are fast gaining attention from prominent horse fanciers in their area.   Exposure at Tocal was excellent;  Diesal wowed the crowds with his demonstrations; his patience and ability to cope with the hype of his first big exhibition earned high praise for the temperament of the Brumby.   Tocal was the first major expo for our Brumbies apart from shows and we owe Kath, Lisa and Peta a big ‘Thank you’ for organising, financing and running our display.   Kath’s new web site will be up soon and there will be a link on www.savethebrumbies.org  ... check this out and tell your friends. 

SNOWY MOUNTAINS

There has been a lot of media attention lately on the KNP Plan of Management and the removal of horses from the high country.   In contradiction to earlier statements by NPWS that horses would remain in the Park in sustainable numbers it now seems the intention is to eradicate all horses completely from all national parks in NSW. Which means a lot of slaughtered horses, either by bullets or abattoirs.   We have written to Federal Government with suggested draft legislation, protection for Brumbies and assistance with seed funding for approved groups to take horses.   No replies have been received.    Horses that stray into Namadgi N.P. near Canberra are shot on sight ... they don’t have a chance yet there are people in those areas who would willingly take horses that could be trapped and rehomed.

We have recently been informed of horses being shot and mutilated on Government land and private properties in southern NSW and again, this highlights the urgent need for legislative changes to see the Heritage Brumby protected in his natural habitat.

Please, we urge all readers to be aware of these issues and voice their disgust.

QLD EPA.

Further letters have been going back and forth to the EPA in Qld.   As is usual for Governments nothing happens quickly, (if ever) but we are supported by RSPCA Qld. and are pushing for a Steering Committee to be established to work through the ongoing issue of aerial slaughter.   Be assured that we do keep working behind the scenes for the welfare of Brumbies Australia wide at all times.   Our Constitution extends to all Brumbies, everywhere and we do all we can to improve the lot of the wild Brumby.

NEBS REPORT

We have a new arrival at NEBS all the way from Montreal in Canada.   No, he’s not a horse but he sure knows how they think.   Lucas Tasker is an excellent horseman and is currently volunteering his time to assist Lisa with the horses.   He has spent the last few years working as a wrangler on his uncles’ horse ranch in Saskatchewan, Canada, he’s lived abroard in Argentina, Italy, the US and spent time studying in Sydney.

He’s here on a one year working holiday but plans to stay if possible.  Luke is totally dedicated to horses and is rapt in our Brumbies.    Lisa has needed help at NEBS for a long time and Luke is the answer to our prayers.   So next open day do come along, meet our Canadian Cowboy and hear tales of the Mustangs.  Luke, we thank you so very much for your time and commitment to the horses.

Other NEBS news ... the workers cottage now has the frame work up and the back country will be cleared of regrowth shortly thus giving us more paddock space.  20 horses have been placed in the last 4 months with several going to Victoria.   We wish all new owners every pleasure and success ahead. 

STB Jamaica is very much loved by the Sarcos family.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We sincerely thank Marie Slaight and the Tasker family for their generous donation towards the construction of our ‘dream’ stable barn at NEBS.   Work will begin on this later in the year.   Injured horses and little foals will now have protection from the weather and not in the least, Lisa Burgess who takes such good care of all the NEBS horses.

We also thank the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in Paris for the ongoing Sponsorship of our Heritage brood mare, STB Brigitte Bardot (B.B.)  ... her foal, STB Beaute, named by Ms. Bardot herself was featured in our April Newsneigher.

Again, to all of you who give donations, large and small, know that without you, many horses would not have a chance at life and as our work expands and encourages others to follow there is ever increasing demands on our budget.   The future of the Brumby is a lot brighter than it was in October 2000 when horses were cruelly massacred by NPWS.    We never lose sight of the reason for establishing STB eight years ago.

ADAM'S RAVE

Ho Hum  .... an Online Horse Show, sounds good to me, no float sickness, no showground hype, no flying helicopters, no whirring monsters and side show alleys to frighten the life out of me ... all I have to do is put up with the wash bay, the clippers, the hoof paint, the plaits, stand up straight, tall ‘n handsome and have my photos taken for my official entry.

Now that’s wot I call ‘sensible of the humans’ ... I hear there’s a prize for best trick as well, this gets more ‘n more interesting, I hope I don’t have to leap through a wall of flame or something scary like that but one never knows with humans, they are the most unpredictable species of all.

Make sure you check us out on www.abhr.com.au and make sure you vote for ME as No. 1 Heritage Brumby. Sssssh, I hope the rest of the mob don’t read the Newsneigher. . Adam, STB Mascot.

SNIPPETS ‘n SNORTS

Michael Bekker,  Barefoot Farrier is volunteering his time at our Bellingen Sanctuary.

The horses love Michael and he certainly has a way with Brumbies.   If you need a good farrier in our area do contact him on 02 66550222.  We recommend Michael highly.

Jane Clothier is conducting a 3 day course in Equine Touch at Bellingen Sanctuary from Fri. 21st – Sun.23rd  August.   The course is open to all horse owners but we would love to see as many Brumby people as possible.   Equine Touch is a very gentle but highly effective form of bodywork.   It offers us a fabulous way to work with Brumbies and helps with any possible problems of stress that may occur in the transition from the wild to domesticity.   Most importantly, it helps to establish a deep and meaningful bond with our horses.   Jane is a Committee member of STB and regularly donates her time to work with our Brumbies.   For more details call Jane 0447 672 523 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     Bellingen Show was cancelled due to floods, this was a big disappointment as we and many others had spent months preparing the horses, we hope for better luck next year.

Our next Open Day at NEBS to be advised.   Web site will have updates.  We have several quality geldings and mares still available, contact Jan 02 66552224 or Lisa 02 67755232

AGM will be held at Bellingen Sanctuary on Thursday 27th August 2009 at 7 p.m.   Friends are welcome to attend and/or submit comments.

How about this ?? The Australian Brumby Horse Registrar is conducting an Online Horse Show.  Get your registered Brumbies groomed and submit their photos for the judges.  Great prizes on offer.  Go to www.abhr.com.au for entries and details.

We are still seeking an old horse float for NEBS .... please keep a look out for us.

YOUR NEWSNEIGHER

This wraps up our Winter news, we welcome Friends to visit by appointment, meet the horses and the STB volunteers, we hope to see you at our popular Open Days at NEBS Armidale and as always, we thank you for your ongoing support.

Jan and the Team,   STB Inc.,

P.O. Box 409 Bellingen 2454 NSW  

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DIARY DATES  2009

Jane Clothier Equine Touch Course ... 21st 23rd August at Bellingen Sanctuary.

STB AGM 27th August

Carlos Tabernaberri Clinic 25th October

Coffs Harbour Bunnings BBQ 15th November

ABHR Online show refer www.abhr.com.au

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