Australian Stock Horse Breed Guide: Characteristics, Health & Nutrition

The Australian Stock Horse (ASH), affectionately called “the breed for every need,” is renowned for its versatility, strength, and adaptability. Originating in Australia, this breed was developed to handle demanding cattle work over rugged terrain.

The Australian Stock Horse’s origins can be traced to 1788, with the arrival of the British First Fleet at Port Jackson, New South Wales. The first horses to set foot on the Australian mainland faced the harsh conditions of the outback, where they adapted to meet the challenges of their new environment.

As Australian society and industry advanced, the ASH became indispensable to the cattle and farm workers. Prized for their endurance and ability to work in extreme conditions, the ASH is still the most recognized breed in the Antipodes.

While industrialization reduced their agricultural role, the Australian Stock Horse’s versatility ensured their survival. Today, they excel in recreational and competitive equestrian disciplines.

The Australian Stock Horse Society (ASHS) continues to preserve and promote this iconic breed, ensuring its legacy endures in both agricultural and sporting contexts.

History of the Australian Stock Horse

The history of the Australian Stock Horse begins with the arrival of horses in Australia with the British First Fleet in 1788. The first fleet of 11 ships carried a small herd of horses on board, including a stallion, a colt, four mares, and a filly. ^[1][2]

These early horses, having made it through a demanding sea voyage, soon faced the harsh conditions of the Australian outback, evolving to not only survive but thrive.

The 19th century saw the continued evolution of horses in Australia. Breeders worked on enhancing their physical characteristics by incorporating elements of both Thoroughbreds and Arabians that arrived in the early years of the new colony. ^[1][2][3]

These efforts led to the development of the Australian Waler Horse, which by the 20th century had become essential for those living on the ranches and farms of the Australian outback, due to their endurance and ability to work in harsh conditions. ^[1][2][3]

Historic Use

Australia’s involvement in World War I saw the deployment of 333,000 military personnel to Europe and Asia. Together with the men of the Australian Royal Army, between 130,000 and 200,000 horses headed into battle. Of all these equine conscripts, only one would return home – a mare called Sandy. ^[4]

Some controversy remains over the differences or similarities between Walers and Australian Stock Horses, but the current view of the Australian Stock Horse Society is that Waler is the historic name given to what today is known as the Australian Stock Horse. ^[2]

Modernization

Similar to their North American counterparts, the mechanization of agricultural labor during the 19th and 20th centuries led to the slow decline in the use of horses in the Australian agrarian economy.

The same advances in technology that reduced the demand for equine labor also increased the leisure time of ordinary people, allowing them to engage more in recreational activities. The horse was given a new role, not as a hard-working farm hand, but as a partner in leisure activities such as riding, equestrian sports, and tourism.

This shift marked a significant moment in the history of the Australian Stock Horse.

The Australian Stock Horse Society (ASHS)

The Australian Stock Horse Society (ASHS) was founded in 1971 in Scone, New South Wales, which is known as the “Horse Capital of Australia.” The ASHS is the official breed registry for the Austrian Stock Horse, and it is dedicated to preserving and promoting the Austrian Stock Horse throughout the world. ^[5]

The ASHS boasts a membership of over 200,000 horses and 5,500 people. To support AHS owners and enthusiasts outside of Australia, they have a branch in New Zealand and one in the United States. ^[5]

The Modern Australian Stock Horse

The Australian Stock Horse is suitable for a range of activities, from leisure riding to stock work on ranches and farms. This breed is also thriving in a number of equestrian sporting disciplines, including: ^[3]

• Polo
• Polocrosse
• Working Equitation
• Campdrafting
• Eventing
• Show Jumping
• Dressage

Cattle Work & Agriculture

Mustering cattle and sheep with horses, as opposed to motorized vehicles such as motorbikes and helicopters, have advantages for both the herd and ranch workers. Cattle are more calm when mustered by horses and can spook in the presence of loud motor vehicles.

While equine ranch work is no longer fundamental to the modern economy, horses continue to play a prominent role in Australian agriculture. The Australian Stock Horse is a valuable asset in the management of large cattle stations in the vast outback.

Campdrafting

A stand out discipline among the equestrian competitions that Australian Stock Horses excel in is campdrafting. Similar to elements of working equitation, in campdrafting, the rider’s objective is to cut out a single cow from a cattle herd and demonstrate control by blocking and turning the animal a minimum of two to three times.

In the second phase of the competition, the rider must drive the cow through a course around two pegs in a figure eight pattern, then muster the cow through a gate within 40 seconds. ^[6]

Several characteristics of the Australian Stock Horse make it the ideal breed for competing in campdrafting. Like other stock horses, the ASH excels in disciplines that require: ^[6]

• Strong cow sense
• Athletic ability
• Responsiveness to the rider

Characteristics of the Australian Stock Horse

The Australian Stock Horse is known for its versatility, strength, and adaptability. These traits make it suitable for a wide range of disciplines and environments.

Conformation

The Australian Stock Horse is a well-proportioned and well-muscled breed. It typically ranges in height from 14 to 16.2 hh (56 to 66 inches, or 142 to 168 cm). ^[7]

These horses have powerful back legs, a broad forehead, deep chest, slender neck and sloping shoulders. ^[7]

Colors

The Australian Stock Horse can exhibit a variety of coat colors, reflecting its diverse ancestry. Common colors include:

• Bay
• Brown
• Black
• Chestnut
• Gray

Other colors, such as buckskin, dun, palomino, and roan, are also seen. The Australian Stock Horse Society provides detailed descriptions of these colors to ensure accurate registration and classification. ^[7]

Temperament

Australian Stock Horses are known for their responsive and calm temperament. Typically intelligent, agile, and hardworking, they are suitable for various disciplines and riders of all levels.

ASHs are typically fast learners, which makes them ideal for a wide range of activities and enables them to develop a diverse skill set. Individual temperaments vary from horse to horse, but in general terms, the Australian Stock Horse is a versatile, gentle, and responsive breed. ^[8]

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Australian Stock Horse Heath

The Australian Stock Horse is a hardy breed, having survived centuries in the challenging environment of the outback. With a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, Australian Stock Horses do not have any specific health problems unique to the breed.

While not prone to any particular breed-specific conditions, their active lifestyles require attentive management to reduce the risk of conditions such as arthritis and laminitis. ^[1]

Like other stock breeds, the AHS is considered an “easy keeper,” which makes them prone to weight gain and obesity.

Keeping track of your Australian Stock Horse’s body condition score and and adjusting their diet as needed is important for managing these hard-working cattle horses.

Care and Management

Australian Stock Horses require basic care to remain healthy and perform at their best. Your management program should address their physical, mental, and behavioral needs to support their hardworking nature.

Work closely with your veterinarian and equine health professionals to establish a preventative wellness program that includes:

• Veterinary Exams: Schedule regular veterinary check-ups to catch and address health issues early.
• Vaccinations: Follow a vaccination schedule tailored to your horse’s needs, as recommended by your veterinarian, to protect against infectious diseases common in your region.
• Dental Care: Regular dental exams and teeth floating by a qualified practitioner are essential for good chewing and digestion. Senior stock horses may require more frequent dental care.
• Parasite Management: Implement a strategic deworming plan to safeguard your horse from internal parasites while reducing the risk of anthelmintic resistance.
• Hoof Care: Regular farrier visits and hoof trimming are vital to maintaining hoof health and balance.

Australian Stock Horses are well-suited to various environments. While they often thrive living outside, adequate shelter from harsh weather conditions is essential. For horses kept indoors, ensure they have a consistent turnout schedule that allows them regular exercise and social interaction to meet their physical and mental needs.

Regular grooming is also recommended to maintain the horse’s coat condition and support overall hygiene. A daily grooming routine also provides an opportunity to bond with your horse and monitor them for signs of health problems.

Due to their active lifestyle, joint care and dietary supplementation may also be recommended, particularly for older horses or those engaged in high levels of activity.

Weight Maintenance

Some Australian Stock Horses are easy keepers, which means these horses should easily maintain body condition on a balanced diet.

As with other breeds, Australian Stock Horses may be prone to weight gain in domestic management settings when they are provided with energy-dense feeds. Australian Stock Horses with equine metabolic syndrome are also prone to becoming overweight. ^[9]

You can use body conditioning scoring to monitor changes in your horse’s condition and adjust their diet if necessary. A score of 5 on the 9-point Henneke scale is considered an ideal body condition.

Australian Stock Horse Nutrition

All horses require a balanced diet with adequate forage to thrive. Their diet must include the right amounts of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins to support essential physiological functions.

Individual nutrition requirements are determined by the horse’s physiological status, health condition, activity level and age. For example, horses that take part in endurance events require more energy for long-distance competitions. Conversely, horses that only take part in light work need a lower calorie intake.

Sample Diet

The following sample diet is intended for a mature 500 kg (1,100 lb) Australian Stock Horse with normal body condition at maintenance (not exercising).

Most Australian Stock Horses do best on a forage-based diet. While forage should be the primary source of energy for horses, diets consisting solely of forage can be deficient in several essential minerals and vitamins, such as sodium, vitamin E, and zinc. ^[11]

Additionally, many regions of Australia where these horses live, have low levels of selenium, an essential micronutrient required for proper cellular function. ^[10]

Mad Barn’s Omneity® is a vitamin and mineral supplement that can be added to your horse’s diet to fill any nutritional gaps in their forage. Omneity® provide essential nutrients to support hoof health, metabolic function, the immune system and more.

Furthermore, Omneity® is made without any grains or sugars, making it ideal for easy keepers.

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Forage

How much forage a horse needs per day is determined by their body weight and physiological state. Typically, horses consume 2% of their body weight in forage and feed dry matter each day. ^[12]

For instance, a 1,100 lb (500 kg) Australian Stock Horse would be expected to eat 24 lb (11 kg) of hay daily if fed free-choice without any other feed.

Choosing the best type of hay to feed your Australian Stock Horse depends on their exercise load and health needs. Mid-maturity or mature grass hay that is low in starch and sugar is ideal for most easy-keepers.

The starch and sugar (ESC) content of forage is known as the hydrolyzable carbohydrates (HC). These are the components in hay that can trigger insulin release and impact metabolic health. The maximum recommended level of HC in forage for horses is typically less than 10% of the dry matter.

Australian Stock Horses in heavy work may benefit from adding higher-calorie forage, such as alfalfa, to help meet energy and protein requirements.

However, some horses with metabolic syndrome become foot-sore on alfalfa. In that case, beet pulp or soya hull pellets are a safe choice.

While free-choice forage promotes digestive health, some horses may gain excess weight with unrestricted hay access. This is more likely if your Australian Stock Horse is not exercising, if the hay is higher in energy than average, or due to factors like their voluntary activity level and metabolic rate.

Restricting hay by rationing may be necessary to support weight loss or maintain a healthy body condition. Using slow feeders can extend feeding time and are particularly helpful when hay is limited.

Full-time turnout on lush grass pastures may not be suitable for Australian Stock Horses with metabolic issues. Instead, consider turning them out on a dry lot or using a grazing muzzle to limit grass intake. ^[13]

Feeding Recommendations

The majority of Australian Stock Horses do not need commercial feeds in their diet. High-starch and high-sugar grains can increase the risk of digestive issues and metabolic problems in these easy keepers. ^[14]

To optimize their diet and maximize forage intake, you can instead feed a concentrated vitamin and mineral supplement as opposed to a grain-based feed or ration balancer. This will to reduce excess starch and protein in your horse’s diet. Soaked hay pellets or beet pulp are great fiber-based alternatives to grain if you need something to mix with supplements in your feeding plan.

If your Australian Stock Horse needs additional calories to support their exercise load, a fat supplement is a good option. Oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids offer additional benefits like improved joint health, coat quality, and respiratory support. ^{[15][16][17][18]}

For senior horses with dental problems, beet pulp and forage cubes can be more manageable options. If your horse is quidding (dropping feed), processed forage that’s easier to eat may be necessary. Consult an equine nutritionist to design a diet that meets their specific needs.

Even though the Australian Stock Horse is adapted to a dry climate, they still need access to plentiful fresh and clean water to stay hydrated.

Make sure your horse has fresh water and salt available at all times. For the average 500 kg / 1100 lb horse, our nutritionists recommend feeding 1-2 ounces of plain loose salt daily to ensure adequate sodium intake and encourage drinking.

Nutritional Supplements

When creating a feeding program for your Australian Stock Horse, the top priority is ensuring a balanced, forage-based diet that meets its energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral needs. Once the diet is balanced, you can add supplements to address specific requirements.

• w-3 Oil is an omega-3 fatty acid supplement containing DHA, which supports immune function, joint health, and a shiny coat. It is also enriched with high levels of natural Vitamin E.
• Optimum Digestive Health is a gut supplement containing probiotics, prebiotics, yeast and digestive enzymes. Feeding ODH promotes a healthy gut microbiome, nutrient absorption, and immune support.
• MSM is a natural supplement that helps regulate inflammation in joints and muscles.
• Spirulina is a nutrient-dense supplement rich in antioxidants. It supports respiratory health, immune function, and coat quality.

Have questions about what you’re feeding your Australian Stock Horse? Submit their diet online for a free evaluation, and consult with our experienced equine nutritionists for help with formulating a balanced diet.