Teens save wild brumby foal from Snowy Mountains after its mother dies

ZANDER the Snowy Mountains’ brumby was destined to be turned in to dog food, until two animal-loving teenagers stepped in to give him a new home on the northern beaches.

Errol Bousfield, 19, with Zander the Mt Kosciuszko brumby, at Warriewood. Picture: Troy Snook

• Brumby cull at Snowy Mountains
• Time running out for wild brumbies
• More pets being rehomed due to divorce

A BEAUTIFUL friendship is forming between a wild brumby foal from the Snowy Mountains and the city boy who helped save him from the knacker’s yard.

Collaroy’s Errol Bousfield and his girlfriend Georgia Henderson, both 19, have given a home to five-month-old Zander who was found beside his dead mother on Mt Kosciuszko.

Although Zander spent his early months roaming the wilds of the Snowy Mountains, he already loves his new home in a Warriewood paddock — and his new owners.

Zander the 5 month old Mt Kosciuszko Brumby, at Warriewood. Picture: Troy Snook

Errol Bousfield 19, with Zander. Picture: Troy Snook

“He’s really, really trusting. I think it was because he lost his parents when he was so young that we fell into that spot,” Mr Bousfield said.

The couple bought Zander a month ago from another horse rescuer who paid $1.20 a kilo for him — his meat value — at an auction.

“He’s very curious and considering he comes from the wild, he has adapted perfectly,” Mr Bousfield said.

“We run around the paddock and he chases us.”

And he is naughty too.

“He can open the gate and let the goat in the paddock next door into his field,” Mr Bousfield said.

Errol Bousfield 19, with Zander the 5-month-old Mt Kosciuszko Brumby, at Warriewood. Picture: Troy Snook

Despite their iconic status, the NSW Government controversially plans to cull 90 per cent of the Snowy Mountain brumbies over the next 20 years, saying they are damaging the fragile alpine and subalpine landscape.

Mr Bousfield is horrified by the plan, saying they are “wonderful horses”.

Another young brumby seen in the high country wilderness of the Snowy Mountains.

“I think they should leave them alone. If not they should look at rehoming them,” he said.

A former Cromer school captain, Mr Bousfield and Ms Henderson both grew up riding, but only began rescuing horses since leaving school last year.

They have also rescued eight former harness horses, most of them given to them by the horses’ old trainers.

Every day, after finishing their fulltime jobs, they head to Warriewood where they spend two hours looking after Zander.

Zander has a new home in a Warriewood paddock. Picture: Troy Snook

And, while other teens spend their weekends partying, the couple head to Gosford where they have rented space for their other horses.

They put in long days grooming and training them and admit half their wages go on their beloved animals.

“If you really love shopping, you’ll spend all your money on shopping; if you love bikes, you’ll spend all your money on bikes — we really love horses,” Mr Bousfield said.

They train their horses to saddle and be rideable.

“One day we would love to have a property where we could open a rescue properly.

“There are so many that need homes and we can only take in what we can afford.”