Brumbies in the Mountains

Books in this Series

Brumbies

Brumbies in the Snow

Brumbies in the Mist

Brumbies in the Outback

Brumbies in the Mountains

Book 5 of

the Brumbies Series

Brumbies in the Mountains

by

Paula Boer

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters portrayed herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places, events or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher.

Brumbies in the Mountains

Book 5 of the Brumbies Series

All Rights Reserved

ISBN-13: 978-1-925759-47-1

Copyright ©2018 Paula Boer

All maps in this book were designed by

Paula Boer and rendered by Rowena Evans

Second Edition

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

IFWG Publishing International

Melbourne

www.ifwgpublishing.com

For everyone who helps protect the

iconic Australian brumby.

Thank you.

A glossary of horse-related terms

can be found at page 141

Chapter 1

Mist swirled among the gum trees as a kookaburra laughed to welcome the dawn. The mare lay in the long grass at the edge of the clearing, struggling on her side. With a shudder her whole body strained and she sat up, turning her head around to look towards her tail. A glistening bag slid out, steam rising from the wet warm mass.

Scrambling to her feet, the mare turned and sniffed at the bundle on the ground. With vigorous licks she roused the newborn foal. A tiny head, matted with damp curls, rose from the dew. Large brown eyes blinked and stared at the summer morning, ears flicking as a fly tickled. After a few moments the tiny horse heaved itself to its feet and stood with forelegs wide apart, wobbling.

Awesome! How quick was that? Louise had never seen a foal born before. When Ben, her best friend, had phoned earlier to tell her that Shadow had started labour, she had pedalled so hard she made record time to Tumbleford Farm. She lived in Crowhurst, the nearby town, with her parents and brother.

After becoming friends with Ben when she first moved to the area, she frequently cycled to his farm to ride out in the mountains with him.

Ben stood from his crouch and rubbed his arms to get his blood re-circulating after sitting cramped since first light. I’ll see if she’ll let us get closer.

The kookaburras launched into a raucous cackle as if to announce the arrival of the new life. Louise waited as Ben crept towards Shadow. She knew how important this foal was to him, being the first sired by Brandy, the brumby stallion they had caught together two years ago. Ben’s father had wanted the stallion gelded. The quality of this foal would determine the brumby’s future.

It’s a filly. Ben’s whisper tremored with excitement. She looks perfect. Look at those legs, straight and strong. And her rump. She’ll be a powerhouse.

Louise snuck across the paddock as Ben waved her closer. She’s pink! What does that mean? Are you sure she’s alright?

Ben frowned before shrugging. You’re right, she is an odd colour. I’ve never seen a foal quite like her before.

She’s gorgeous. What will you call her?

Shaking his head, Ben pursed his lips. I haven’t any names in mind. I didn’t dare think what the foal would be like.

As if she knew she was being discussed, the newly born foal flicked her flaxen tail and tottered to her dam’s flanks. As Shadow continued to wash her clean, the filly thrust her head beneath her mother, grabbed hold of a swollen teat, and slurped.

The distant hills changed colour from a hazy blue to beige to gold as the sun climbed higher. The morning breeze teased Louise’s hair as she waited with Ben, watching the mother and foal. The little filly stamped her hooves as she drank, switching her tail. How about Dawn? That’s a lovely girl’s name and will remind you of her being born.

Ben cocked his head to one side. Or maybe Kookie, after the kookaburras laughing at her arrival.

That makes her sound like a biscuit. She’s far too pretty for that.

Louise and Ben continued to watch the horses as the day warmed. A pair of crimson rosellas flashed overhead, their red and blue feathers bright until they perched in a giant gum tree where they blended in against the bark.

Sated, the filly turned to study the two humans. Shadow lowered her head for a rub. A retired stockhorse, she was used to motherhood and didn’t feel threatened by a person she knew well. Ben approached the mare and stroked her nose before turning back to Louise. Come and say hello to my new herd member.

Louise joined Ben at Shadow’s head, delighted that his dreams of building a stud from Brandy were coming to fruition. Ever since Mr Naylor hurt his back trying to save Crowhurst from the floods a year ago the family had been having financial troubles. Although Ben’s brother John had quit agricultural college for a while to help, Louise knew that the real burden of working the farm had fallen on Ben. Still at school, Ben had also been nursing Brandy from a serious injury after being trapped in a fence. The accident had almost caused the horse to be destroyed.

Thinking of Ben’s troubles, Louise realised she had nothing to worry about in her own life. Her own brumby, Honey, caught at the same time as Brandy, was coming along well. Louise had broken her in and kept her at Patti McGrath’s horse training establishment. There was a time when her parents had said it cost too much to have a horse and wanted her to sell the mare, but Louise earned her horse’s keep by working for Patti on weekends and in the school holidays. Patti also taught her how to train her horse. She couldn’t believe it was a year ago that she had first demonstrated to Ben that she could ride Honey without a saddle or bridle. Since then, she had started to teach her to jump.

When on holiday in the outback during the winter for Ben’s sixteenth birthday, Louise leapt a pony over solid posts and rails to distract a bull from goring Ben’s cousin. The thrill of sailing over the fence had inspired Louise to ask Patti for jumping lessons.

Lost in thoughts of her own horse, Louise didn’t notice the filly walk up until the gentle bump of a velvet nose. Louise slid her hand along the filly’s spikey mane and scratched her withers. The filly cocked her head on one side and wriggled her lips with pleasure.

This new attention became too much for Shadow. Shoving Ben out of the way she nickered to her baby and walked away. Realising her mother was leaving, the filly jumped into the air and trotted after her, tufty tail held aloft and nose high.

I reckon she thinks she’s a princess. That would be a great name. Louise watched the horses with delight as Shadow tried to herd her baby while the filly pranced in circles around her.

Ben folded his arms. I’m not giving a horse of mine a name like that. She can be Peach, like her colour.

Louise laughed. How is a fruit better than a biscuit? But I suppose Peach is okay; after all, she is sweet. I’m sure she’ll grow to be a champion stockhorse one day, too.

Louise and Ben had spent two weeks at his Uncle Graeme’s horse stud in the outback. They had mustered desert brumbies and wild bulls, and competed in the local campdraft. Ben had been able to buy a chestnut brumby mare that was exceptional at stock work from Simon, Graeme’s friend. Ginger was proving to be a very capable working horse. Ben also owned Lady, a fiery chestnut part-Arabian. Louise knew that Ben dreamt not only of building his own stud, but training horses for campdrafting. His only problem was the pressure his father’s poor health placed on the family.

Turning from the contented horses, for once Ben didn’t look concerned about what the future might hold. Let’s go and tell Mum. She’ll have breakfast waiting for us.

A white station wagon pulled into the farmyard as Ben and Louise left the foaling paddock. Louise waved to the bearded head that poked out from the driver’s window. Hi, Oliver! Come and see Ben’s new filly.

The old vet climbed out of the car and removed a large box from the rear. I’ve brought that cattle drench for your dad, Ben. So Shadow’s foaled, eh? I’d better check her out.

Returning to the paddock, Louise caught Shadow and slipped a headcollar on her so that Ben could help Oliver. Does she look okay to you?

Have you found the afterbirth? If it’s not complete, I may need to give her something to flush it out. Standing back from the mare and foal Oliver studied the pair.

Ben pointed to where Shadow had foaled. It looked like it all came away cleanly. Louise and I were here. The filly stood within moments and has already suckled. What do you think of her colour? Do you think there’s anything wrong with her?

Oliver placed an arm over Ben’s shoulder. Far from it. Your dad can’t help but love this little one. I know he’s always had a soft spot for palominos.

Louise yipped with delight. I didn’t know palominos were born that colour. How gorgeous! Ben’s named her Peach already.

After checking Shadow out, Oliver suggested they leave the horses to settle. Let’s see what that wonderful mum of yours might have to help us celebrate.

As predicted, delightful smells of home baking greeted them as they entered the house. Ben called out to his parents. Shadow’s had a filly! And Oliver’s here with the drench.

Mrs Naylor tied on an apron as she entered the kitchen. G’day Oliver. You’re in time for breakfast. I’ve been holding off until these two came in with the news. Is Shadow alright?

Yes, yes, all fine. That filly is a beautiful palomino with great conformation. She’ll be a beauty. Big, too, I wouldn’t doubt, from the size of her knees.

Mr Naylor slumped in a chair next to the wood-burning stove that was alight whether winter or summer. That brumby stallion did a good job, then?

Oh yes, he’s proved himself as a sire all right. Oliver accepted a cup of steaming coffee and pulled a chair up to the table where Louise and Ben sat.

Louise saw the look of relief on Ben’s face as the vet confirmed Brandy as a good stallion. She knew Ben had been extremely worried that his father would geld, or worse still, destroy the horse. With Oliver supporting him, she hoped Ben wouldn’t need to argue about Brandy’s future any more.

Oliver cleared his throat after a sip of scalding coffee. Actually, it’s a good thing you two youngsters caught your brumbies when you did. They might be the last anyone ever takes from the park.

Confused, Louise sat up from where she had been rocking back in her chair. What do you mean? Are they going to ban mustering? Won’t there be too many horses if that happens?

Oliver stroked his grey beard a few times before he spoke. Ban, no. I hear Smythe-Waters is trying to get a lease to graze cattle on the mountains again. He’s been given permission to shoot brumbies from the air as they damage his fences and steal his feed.

Shoot? They can’t do that! That’s worse than sending them off for pet food. What if they aren’t killed straight away? That’s cruel. Why should the cattle have the grass instead of horses? Louise shook with anger at the idea of the brumbies being shot from planes or helicopters. When she had expressed concern in the holidays about culling the desert brumbies, Jacinta had explained to her the horror of the alternative, that they be shot from the air. She couldn’t believe that Adam Cartwright, the local ranger, would allow something like that to happen here.

Ben looked pensive. "It’s not the horses that destroy his fences. He burnt his own fence to release his cattle into the park. Then, remember, he trapped the grey stallion’s herd