Warnum
This year we've been focusing on a remote Indigenous community called Warnum. It lies between Halls Creek and Kununurra in the East Kimberley and close to Bedford Downs station, where Tom Quilty bred the famous Arab x Quarter Horses.
The old horseman at Warnum, Johnny Echo, grew up there and helped with the Quilty Horses. He now traps and trains the wild horses from that area. Johnny asked for our help as there were threats of a cull. He and the other Gija people regard all the horses on their land as family.
Gija land stretches from Warnum west to Bluff range, north to include DoonDoon and south to include Springvale.
Our plan was to bring in young colts and fillies and a trained mare and foal.
Our first trip to Warnum was delayed by the flooded Fitzroy River, but our volunteers finally made it out only to find that someone had drilled holes in Johnny's water trough and he'd had to release the horses. However the contact was good.
Another recent cull was requested by stations but we managed to stop that.
Now the plan is to collect horses to take south for rehoming in the cool season and to raise funds for a gelding program to keep numbers down in the Warnum area.
Johnny loves his horses and has plans for groups of young people to learn from him.
Donations to support this project are needed.
The old horseman at Warnum, Johnny Echo, grew up there and helped with the Quilty Horses. He now traps and trains the wild horses from that area. Johnny asked for our help as there were threats of a cull. He and the other Gija people regard all the horses on their land as family.
Gija land stretches from Warnum west to Bluff range, north to include DoonDoon and south to include Springvale.
Our plan was to bring in young colts and fillies and a trained mare and foal.
Our first trip to Warnum was delayed by the flooded Fitzroy River, but our volunteers finally made it out only to find that someone had drilled holes in Johnny's water trough and he'd had to release the horses. However the contact was good.
Another recent cull was requested by stations but we managed to stop that.
Now the plan is to collect horses to take south for rehoming in the cool season and to raise funds for a gelding program to keep numbers down in the Warnum area.
Johnny loves his horses and has plans for groups of young people to learn from him.
Donations to support this project are needed.
Johnny Trying to Save His Horses