Wild Heart Brumbies

04/09/2025

04/09/2025

I opened up a small section of yummy grass and called the boys over. Some got it, and others were not the brightest sparks, running straight into the yards and looking at the others munching on the long green grass. They had two open gates but instead thought they were stuck and chose to chew on some native grass hay (which they haven't liked since they got oaten hay) and look out, dumbfounded. We tried our best not to laugh on video though it was hilarious.
Sharen

04/09/2025

When the new colts joined the herd it was interesting (at one stage) how they paired off with similar ages. I (roughly) guess that Ayni and Yaku are about 18 months old, and Yachaq and Chaska are both around 3. Herd activities and relations are so interesting.
Horses need horses, and I would feel so much joy if everyone understood how important it is for a horses wellbeing to live with other horses. Its not only necessary for the horse, it also brings loads of joy to be a part of it by watching them.
Herd = Happy
🐎 Sharen

03/09/2025

Feed time is a wee bit more complicated since Yachaq and Ayni joined the herd. They don't fully understand that there is no sharing or stealing of bucket feeds, and that there is an order to who gets fed in what order. The other boys are not fully happy that the newbies are allowed in this space. And I am not sure where to put the newbies in the order of things; they are both still quite sensitive though too confident to be first in line.
The order I feed in is lowest first and most dominant last. This has suprised some as they thought it would be the other way around. I don't think there is a right or wrong way ... just consequences/results to everything I do. My reasoning is that the most dominant gets to practice patience (the Gods know that the Gelding Gangsters need this) and not encourage cookie-monster-alter-egos who demand to be first. The lowest ranking horses also get to grow in their confidence and feel safe. Overall result, I have found, is that it instils (my) leadership in all horses as lead mare.
Feed times are still a little messy here atm, but it is coming together bit-by-bit.
🐎 Sharen

02/09/2025

Look at Yachaq, following so confidently. He got a little wobbly as I was walking backwards over rocks and uneven ground.
Following is really important to me as all horses in the wild follow the lead mare. Unless you train with treats, which we never do, it is completely free choice. Yachaq lacks confidence around humans, and isn't a huge fan of me, so it's always a big deal when the wildest is locked on to following so surely.
Both new colts, Yachaq and Ayni, have fitted into the herd really well. Baz must have lost all hope of keeping his band under control with me continuing to add new boys - he only complained a little bit. I have assured him that this is all now until we get a larger property. Our herd is full.
It will be interesting to see how herd dynamics change over the next few months. Yachaq is extremely confident and has landed somewhere in the middle of the herd. He's only young still (I estimate around 3) and I think he would have been destined to become a dominant stallion had he remained wild back in the Snowies.
🐎 Sharen

01/09/2025

After some personal time away, I am officially back for business at Wild Heart Free Spirit. If you want to keep updated with our offerings, please like and follow us over there. This page, Wild Heart Brumbies, follows our Brumby Journey & Sanctuary - the good, bad and ugly.
🐎 Sharen
* Video of Yaku (buckskin) and Ayni (Brown) both young colts born in the Snowy Mountains, Northern KNP.

25/08/2025

For anyone interested (this also is a longer video) taken same day that the two new Colts joined the rest of the herd.
The boys love squealing so much that my partner said that the neighbours (who are over 1km away) will think we now have elephants. Munay is the noisiest in this video which suprised me.
All in all this meeting was quite peaceful and Baz must be getting used to his herd getting new boys in as he at times seemed resigned to the fact and let Munay, Inti and Chaska sort it out mostly.
I am over the moon with all my boys together. Family is so important to horses, and this bachelor herd is now forever. Our human culture has little understanding of the deep bonds horses form as we simply sell them off when they no longer fit.
Wild Heart Brumbies is officially full ... until we get more land 😉

25/08/2025

Part 2 of the herd meeting

25/08/2025

Great news, the colts joined the herd two days ago. All went very well. Here's part 1 of a 12 minute video of them all meeting.

23/08/2025

Always leading, never chasing. Invitation, not dominance.
First thing today the colts went out into the big paddock with Apu and Nuna. The rest of the herd are feasting on some yummy grass in another paddock. It is important that they get to know the space before the Gangsters (Baz, Munay & Apu) lay down the tough rules (they can be bullies).
I was very suprised when the colts followed me around the perimeter. I have been concerned about giving them more space as they can be flighty and for their safety they must be able to self calm and not run through fences. But they have been calmer and more settled with the older stallions and more area. It was hard to record when walking backwards over rocks.
🐎 Sharen

22/08/2025

Here is the full first-meet video from yesterday for anyone who is interested.
Apu and Nuna are very sensible stallions, and well be a grounding force for the colts.

22/08/2025

Hijacked! This was not how first meet was meant to go.
The new boys were meant to walk calmly into the larger space, but Apu and Nuna decided they weren't waiting.
Funny note: for safety reasons we all avoid running through gateways here, so notice how they slowed right down going through.
So it is done. First introductions all well. I was in awe of the level of upclose energy / testosterone with 4 Brumby stallion/colts checking each other out over the p**p pile. And speaking of such ... yes I haven't picked up manure for a week, been sick and running back and forth daily for family. I do like to keep some stallion piles, and some toilet areas, but am a lot behind.
Always a tear jerker for me when me boys are joining the herd, our family.
🐎 Sharen
* Photo - Apu & Nuna running to meet the new colts, Yachak & Ayni, a very successful first meet