Newsletter March 2009

	The Australian Brumby Research Unit NEWSLETTERS

March 2009
	Footloose Syndicate launches their mare into the desert

PREVIOUS ISSUES October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 February 2009	Australian Brumby Research Unit sponsors, The "FOOTLOOSE" syndicate from Tasmania [ Rob De Soza-Carol Ferguson -Cathryn White.]		This group of horse enthusiasts sponsored the first brumby to take part in the soft to hard substrate swap experiment, launched in early April 2008. The research team used our well developed bush and brumby skills to dart and tranquilise the paint mare in soft sandy country in Central Queensland .Along with another mature aged mare, the horses were handled, taught to lead and float load within a day then floated back to the Vet School at The University of Queensland. The mares feet were radiographed and photographed and marked to measure the hoof wall growth rate during their next period of release into the rocky desert of Central Australia.
		The mares were released carrying GPS collars to monitor travel and position for a 3 month period. They will be recaptured and reassessed in early July. This research will give valuable insite into the effect of environment and substrate on horse’s feet. The Team really got to love the Footloose paint mare during the time we had with her. She became so quiet and affectionate and in the end didn’t want to be released.

Marg and Adam Richardson

Starting the 15km walk out into the rocky desert to release the mares at the spring fed water hole following our 3,500 km trip from Central Queensland to the desert in Central Australia

The desert presents some pretty extreme country in this area. The yearly rainfall is about 125mm and feed appears sparse but is of good quality and most mares with foals are doing well at the moment

Footloose tied to our release tree at the waterhole with Brian (just visible in the tree) with the release mechanism and waited until a mare band approached.

Their stallion took an interest in Footloose, and while we darted and captured a mare from his desert band, the stallion took our mare away.

We saw her again in good health watering 4 days later.

The Cavallo boots sponsored mare
Cavallo Boots have sponsored the GPS collar for “Priscilla, Queen of the desert”. Priscilla is a 12 year bay mare captured by the research team in the Central Australian desert. She is off rocky substrate country and will be released into soft sandy country in Central Queensland, 3,500 km from home. Priscilla and her little mate Alice are currently at the Vet School, The University of Queensland, being prepped for their release.
	Priscilla joins up with Adam Richardson, team Veterinarian and horse handler.		Marg Richardson with her little mate Alice share a tender moment. Both brumby mares became lovely and quiet.

	All 6 brumbies captured impressed with thier quietness and traveled well drinking and eating everything during the long 3 day trips from the desert to the coastal strip.		Chris Pollitt doesn’t miss a thing with his high definition movie camera. Chris is excelling in his new role as a wildlife documentary film maker.
		The little mare Alice is hobbled for the initial handling after being darted. The boys had her leading within 30 mins of capture and loaded her on the float that afternoon.

Alex Connelley- Final year Vet student [Researching the sole thickness of the brumby]	Australian Brumby Research Unit team member Alex Connelley observing some of 25 horses we saw water in 10 minutes at a dam in the desert we stopped at.	Dr Don Walsh- visiting Vet from the USA. Don has learnt to make a pretty decent damper, as well as other delicacies on the camp fire.	Making up the 6 person team necessary to carry out the demanding scientific operation across 3,500 km of Australia.

The Australian Brumby Research Unit will present a one day Information session In May 2009 on treatment of laminitis and the latest brumby research. Full details will be emailed to people registered to recieve updates from this site or by clicking on this link

Brian Hampson Postgraduate PhD scholar School of Veterinary Sciences The University of Queensland Phone: 041 772 1102 Email: