walers

Walers are a historic group of Australian riding and pack horses, valued for endurance, strength, and adaptability in rough terrain. They originated in eastern Australia during the 19th century, developed from mixed stock that typically included Thoroughbreds, Arabians, and other regional breeds. The objective was to produce a versatile horse capable of long-distance work under demanding conditions, whether for stock handling, exploration, or military service.

In practice, Walers were widely used by colonial settlers, mounted police, mail coaches, and stockmen across Australia. They were also exported to other British colonies where the demand for rugged, reliable horses persisted. By the early 20th century, Walers became particularly associated with military service; Australian forces used Waler-type mounts during campaigns in the Middle East in World War I, and many horses were shipped from Australia to support allied units and mounted operations in campaigns such as Gallipoli and Sinai and Palestine.

The term Waler refers more to a type of horse rather than to a single formal breed. Over time, as breeding practices shifted and mechanization reduced the need for large saddle horses, the use of the designation declined. In contemporary contexts, Walers are discussed mainly in historical accounts and in efforts to preserve and trace Waler-type lines within broader Australian stock-horse traditions.

See also: Australian horse breeds; Australian Light Horse; historical horse use in Australia.