Grassbrook Walers

http/www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/stop-the-aerial-culling-of-waler-horses-on-tempe-downs-station-nt

I have a request from everybody, as well as my overseas followers- here in Australia, there is a push to cull 10, 000 wild horses from the Central Australian arid areas. That is a tall order, but sometimes there does need to be culling...HOWEVER the push is to Aerial Cull (have shooters in helicopters- essentially moving apparatus, shooting at moving targets). This has proven over and over to be inhumane and downright irresponsible of the government departments involved.

I ask that you post/email this link to the online petition form, so that those who are interested will sign.

The petition has been started by the Waler Horse Society of Australia, of which I am a member. It is a breed society that is dedicated to preserving the bloodlines of horses bred for war in Australia.

I've just signed the petition "Stop the aerial culling of Waler horses on Tempe Downs Station, NT" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name. I realise that things like this can really be a pain, but I do believe that there is a better answer than aerial culling.

The media have been having a field day with the treatment of domestic animals for human consumption; I do not understand why aerial culling is an issue that continually gets swept unter the political rug, while government approved intensive farming practice gets the third degree and airtime in the media.

You may or may not know, that over half of our broodmares were sourced from Tempe in 09; they have proven themselves to be an asset to us, and the foundation of our Waler stud. It was not a decision we took lightly, to obtain mares, born and grown to maturity in the wild,  heli-mustered, travelled long distances, then dropped into our cattle yards...however it is not one we regret. Every mare has her own personality, and every one is trusting of humans.

Some, we have in-hand shown, some will remain broodmares, and some are under saddle. There are old bloodlines in these horses and there is a toughness that Central Australian arid area breeding has given them, with strong feet, a can-do attitude and a loyalty that is the stuff of legend.

You can read more and sign the petition here:

http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/stop-the-aerial-culling-of-waler-horses-on-tempe-downs-station-nt?share_id=pqpfSByDIm

I feel it is criminal that again, our government has managed to make horses' rears out of themselves while letting aerial culls continue to be a possibility.  Yet, it is slated to happen AGAIN, in the Central Australian area of * Tempe Downs Station * ,  Haven't we learned, numerous times over, that aerial culls DO NOT work, are not economical, and are INDESCRIMINENT in their target.  We have seen many horrific photos over the years of mares autoaborting immature fetuses, bullet-ridden animals staggering and dying , foals perishing of starvation beside the rotting corpses of their mothers... Are we REALLY going to let the powers that be, allow it to happen all over again?

I agree, our wild horses and brumbies do need to be culled-  I am not adverse to the shooting of animals that are beyond help, that have severe deficiencies where gene pool is concerned, or are in a continued state of pain, or are considered feral- However, it is the type of shooting I heartily disagree wuth.  For domestic animals, there are ways of removing pain and there are humane drug injections - however, for the wild horses, the difficulties are of getting close enough to be humane, and yet not cause undue panic and fear- particularly as seeing man is not an experience most wild horses will take lightly.  

The aerial round-up method, and the passive trapping are far more humane that aerial culling.  There is also the on-property culling performed by those who round up these horses, for pet and domestic sale- they are also far more humane, in that it is not a no-holds barred jaunt with a high powered rifle...It is an informed, educated cull, by stockmen and women who can tell the difference between a good horse and one that should not be bred, or has problems.  Why do these people not reap the benefit of their knowledge and experience? Why do the traditional owners of the land not benefit from programs to cull, catch or rehome these descendants of purpose bred horses?  Well, because it apparantly costs more than hiring helicopters and shooters  for weeks at a time. Someone, please explain to me, how as a country, we can be outraged over the treatment of cattle in Indonesia, OUTRAGED over the treatment of sheep on a ship to the Middle East, Incensed by the treatment and living conditions of Pigs and Broiler chickens in regulated housing in Australia...  But STILL let aerial culling be the #1 CHOICE FOR GOVERNMENTS TO DEAL WITH OVERPOPULATION OF WILD ANIMALS IN THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK.  

It has me BEYOND confused.  The cost alone is astronomical ($2-4 million for the shooting, chopper, shooters etc, for a period of weeks..)

I also do not see the sense in the outrage and carnage that aerial culling will cause, when there are good horses out there- (we can tell you, from experience that there are wild horses that have become top domestics.  All of our stud mares are ex-wild.  ALL of them. Every one is man friendly, and all have been girthed. 4 have been ridden, AND 2 have picked up Champion ribbons- that is 2 of the 3 we have shown to date. And all of our shown, ex-wild horses have taken out ribbons.)

The problem we have is that these culls are undertaken before the media can run with it- in the past, aerial culls have been subject of outrage, but after the fact; with your help, and your voice put down as a signature on a petition, maybe THIS cull can be halted before it begins.

There ARE more humane ways of going about culling- But until this issue becomes important enough to the public (that means you!) there will not be investigations, there will not be funds...and there will not be any change.

Aerial culling has been proven to be a cruel and irresponsible method- please add your voice, and don't be afraid to forward this on to those who are interested.