Meet the stockman determined to preserve Australian culture
Horses were once a vital part of farming, used to muster stock and move across vast distances. Meet the man determined to preserve the history of the Australian stockhorse.
Self-taught Australian stockman Guy McLean has made it his life mission to help close the city-country divide by inspiring the next generation with his Australian stock horses.
At the recent Beef Australia 21 event in Rockhampton, Guy worked his Australian stock horses in front of packed crowds each day.
The stockman, based in Maryborough, Queensland, has lived on the land since his family moved from the suburbs when he was a boy.
“I’m a very proud Australian stock horse Society ambassador,” Mr McLean said.
“The stock horse is the breed of our country, and a lot of our cattle producers were riding these horses for many years before motorbikes did everything for us.”
Despite the advances in farming technology – or perhaps because of it – Mr McLean believes it’s more important than ever to appreciate the skills and instincts of a good working horse.
“We don’t need horses any more for war, or transport, but I think we need them more than we ever did. They teach our kids humility, and respect,” he said.
“They have instincts we can’t program. They’re smarter than us, they’re faster than us, and they connect with us. When you’re riding a horse … there’s no connection like it.”
Mr McLean said no matter how good on-farm technology became, there was nothing like working closely with the instincts of a horse.
“There were many times riding through the bush as kids, we’d be looking for lost cattle, and our horse would take us right to them. You don’t get that on a bike. They are the most amazing animals,” he said.
“If you haven’t connected with an animal like that, try to. It’ll never leave you, it’ll get right in your veins. That’s the main reason I’m here.”
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