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The Brumby Wars
It's not just a war over horses. It's a battle for the soul of Australia.
This is a book about the intense culture war raging around Australia's wild horses, known as brumbies. It pits a vision of the legendary Man from Snowy River and the iconic ANZAC Light Horse against the spectre of ecosystems destroyed by feral pests. The debate involves powerful politicians and media commentators, and stars an animal mythologised in Australian poetry and prose. But in essence, this is about us. The Brumby Wars is about Australians at war with each other over their vision of an ideal Australia.
To ecologists and people who ski, walk and fish in the High Country and other areas where the brumbies proliferate, they are a feral menace which must be removed to save delicate alpine landscapes. To the descendants of cattle families and many Australians in urban and regional areas, brumbies are untouchable, a symbol of wildness and freedom.
Something has to give. But what? The land or the horses? This war is set to escalate dramatically before we have an answer. Featuring interviews with characters from all sides of the debate, The Brumby Wars is the riveting account of a major national issue and the very human passions it inspires. It is also a journey, a quest to understand what makes us tick in our increasingly polarised country.
This is a book about the intense culture war raging around Australia's wild horses, known as brumbies. It pits a vision of the legendary Man from Snowy River and the iconic ANZAC Light Horse against the spectre of ecosystems destroyed by feral pests. The debate involves powerful politicians and media commentators, and stars an animal mythologised in Australian poetry and prose. But in essence, this is about us. The Brumby Wars is about Australians at war with each other over their vision of an ideal Australia.
To ecologists and people who ski, walk and fish in the High Country and other areas where the brumbies proliferate, they are a feral menace which must be removed to save delicate alpine landscapes. To the descendants of cattle families and many Australians in urban and regional areas, brumbies are untouchable, a symbol of wildness and freedom.
Something has to give. But what? The land or the horses? This war is set to escalate dramatically before we have an answer. Featuring interviews with characters from all sides of the debate, The Brumby Wars is the riveting account of a major national issue and the very human passions it inspires. It is also a journey, a quest to understand what makes us tick in our increasingly polarised country.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 16, 2021
I loved learning about the different individuals involved in this hot topic, and they're unique perspectives. There is no doubt Mr Sharwood did some exhaustive research writing this book about an important issue relevant to all Australians. I feel like I will more understanding towards others who may sit on the other side of a theoretical fence to me from now on. I believe Mr Sharwood has successfully worked to bridge the growing polarisation of politics by drawing the reader into the insights of people they may not normally get to meet.
In terms of length, I do think the book was unnecessary long. Even if the author could not remove any of the significant actors in the 'Brumby Wars', the rambling way in which he introduced a new person lost its effect by the fifth or so interviewee. I would forget the previous passage or significance of the predecessor. Obviously it works to build a human image of the people spoken to, and avoid the book falling into a simple back and forth debate where he just analyses each point of view, but I just think it might've been better done (obviously not by me, see rambling analysis above). This is all to say I think it's a great book, and would recommend!
In terms of length, I do think the book was unnecessary long. Even if the author could not remove any of the significant actors in the 'Brumby Wars', the rambling way in which he introduced a new person lost its effect by the fifth or so interviewee. I would forget the previous passage or significance of the predecessor. Obviously it works to build a human image of the people spoken to, and avoid the book falling into a simple back and forth debate where he just analyses each point of view, but I just think it might've been better done (obviously not by me, see rambling analysis above). This is all to say I think it's a great book, and would recommend!
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September 11, 2022I agree with the majority of what this book is arguing but wasn’t a fan about how the author wrote it. For a book that was promoted as being the middle ground was clearly biased from the first page, and the writer’s voice seemed almost pretentious and condescending at times
June 9, 2022
I should start this book review with the statement that we are bushwalkers, and my husband is particularly attached to the High Country and its ecological marvels. I do not know exactly how I came across this book. I have a memory that I saw one of Anthony Sharwood’s tweets and bought it from that mention. Prior to reading the book, I had not heard much on the Brumby issue – except that these wild horses caused damage to the Snowy Mountains. I could tell from the title that this book would have a culture war feel – and sure enough – it was a dispiriting read. I can’t help feeling what a fraud white colonial history is.
The book published in 2021, starts and ends with the not yet implemented 2016 National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) protocol for the management of wild horses. In the 300 pages between these two points, the narrative outlines the political stalemate achieved by pro-Brumby activists, that has resulted in continued ecological destruction of a unique wilderness – the high country of Australia.
Brumbies are everywhere in Australia and like the hard hooved herbivores cattle, who were removed from National Park in the 1970s, these wild horses should also be removed. The author describes the messy tangle of opposing forces and points out dirty tricks – disinformation, death threats, social media pile-ons, and harnessing shallow click bait Facebook likes that come with this culture war. It also provides an analysis of the people behaving reasonably but who take a different approach to the removal of the Brumbies.
John Barilaro comes under a lot of scrutiny in this story because even though, as I read this book about 8 months after publishing, he is no longer a political force, having had to leave politics at the end of 2021. He is responsible for the pro-Brumby legislation which went through NSW parliament in 2018. The legislation ensures that brumbies will not be fully removed from the Snowy Mountains. Perhaps some, even many, could be removed – but not all of them. The author details how, in the past, if politicians were exposed to the science and shown the merits of ecological protection, then legislation would be passed. Whereas now, it is quite clear that the science is deliberately ignored and challenged with fake science. It is Climate Science wars played out all over again.
If you are interested in Australia’s wild places, the Man from Snowy River culture, the National Parks of Australia, you should read this book. It is quite readable, even if distressing at times. It is important to document and understand the struggles that scientists go through in our modern era to communicate issues of ecological and environmental crisis.
The book published in 2021, starts and ends with the not yet implemented 2016 National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) protocol for the management of wild horses. In the 300 pages between these two points, the narrative outlines the political stalemate achieved by pro-Brumby activists, that has resulted in continued ecological destruction of a unique wilderness – the high country of Australia.
Brumbies are everywhere in Australia and like the hard hooved herbivores cattle, who were removed from National Park in the 1970s, these wild horses should also be removed. The author describes the messy tangle of opposing forces and points out dirty tricks – disinformation, death threats, social media pile-ons, and harnessing shallow click bait Facebook likes that come with this culture war. It also provides an analysis of the people behaving reasonably but who take a different approach to the removal of the Brumbies.
John Barilaro comes under a lot of scrutiny in this story because even though, as I read this book about 8 months after publishing, he is no longer a political force, having had to leave politics at the end of 2021. He is responsible for the pro-Brumby legislation which went through NSW parliament in 2018. The legislation ensures that brumbies will not be fully removed from the Snowy Mountains. Perhaps some, even many, could be removed – but not all of them. The author details how, in the past, if politicians were exposed to the science and shown the merits of ecological protection, then legislation would be passed. Whereas now, it is quite clear that the science is deliberately ignored and challenged with fake science. It is Climate Science wars played out all over again.
If you are interested in Australia’s wild places, the Man from Snowy River culture, the National Parks of Australia, you should read this book. It is quite readable, even if distressing at times. It is important to document and understand the struggles that scientists go through in our modern era to communicate issues of ecological and environmental crisis.
November 24, 2021
I first came across Anthony Sharwood in his excellent "From Snow to Ash", a volume in which he touches on the Brumby during his walk across the Australian Alpine Trail.
He seems a level headed sort of fellow, so I personally questioned his sanity in seeking to tackle the story of the Brumby, but boy I'm glad he did.
It's a wonderfully balanced piece of work with extensive research on both sides of the coin, but I can equally see how the Brumby could serve as a metaphor for the increasing division in present society. Great work!
He seems a level headed sort of fellow, so I personally questioned his sanity in seeking to tackle the story of the Brumby, but boy I'm glad he did.
It's a wonderfully balanced piece of work with extensive research on both sides of the coin, but I can equally see how the Brumby could serve as a metaphor for the increasing division in present society. Great work!
October 24, 2021
The Brumby Wars by Anthony Sharwood is a challenging read but one that is certainly worth undertaking.
While at times there was a lot of information to digest about the issue of the Brumbies creating havoc in National Park areas, Anthony Sharwood has a wonderful story telling method that I just love - it is down to earth with phases that are captivating. Imagine sitting around a camp fire in a cool but calm evening in the bush somewhere and Anthony is sharing with you in a relaxed but also intense way, what he has uncovered, the wide range of people he has met and talked to, places he has gone and the reading and research he has undertaken. The path he has undertaken is all in the pursuit of the ‘truth’ about the brumbies and the ‘war’ that is raging with the incredible passion about them and their place in National Park areas.
Unfortunately the issue has become so politicised that a positive and sustainable outcome is very questionable. The story is still ongoing. The issue has a polarising effect but the overriding tone is that a compromise has to, no, must be found or the consequences are going to be profound for future generations.
While at times there was a lot of information to digest about the issue of the Brumbies creating havoc in National Park areas, Anthony Sharwood has a wonderful story telling method that I just love - it is down to earth with phases that are captivating. Imagine sitting around a camp fire in a cool but calm evening in the bush somewhere and Anthony is sharing with you in a relaxed but also intense way, what he has uncovered, the wide range of people he has met and talked to, places he has gone and the reading and research he has undertaken. The path he has undertaken is all in the pursuit of the ‘truth’ about the brumbies and the ‘war’ that is raging with the incredible passion about them and their place in National Park areas.
Unfortunately the issue has become so politicised that a positive and sustainable outcome is very questionable. The story is still ongoing. The issue has a polarising effect but the overriding tone is that a compromise has to, no, must be found or the consequences are going to be profound for future generations.
May 7, 2022
A good look at the politics behind Australia’s feral horses.
December 26, 2025
This does seem like a genuine attempt to write an unbiased book about a very controversial issue. However, I don’t think Anthony Sharwood has achieved this; his bias is clear throughout.
One way the “brumby wars” are framed is as a battle between rationalism and romance. The scientists (often from Canberra or Sydney) represent the objective view of the world-brumbies are destroying the environment, particularly in the high country-and the brumby advocates (usually from the high country themselves) are hopeless romantics, caught up in an unrealistic nostalgia for a rural Australia that never really existed except in Banjo Paterson poems. In reality, the scientists have their own biases. Whether it’s the desire to get research grants, government pressure or personal political opinions, the idea that every ecologist is some unbiased arbiter of reality is completely laughable. Although Sharwood does not appear self-aware enough to notice, his book seems to acknowledge this.
I’ll quote one of his scientists to illustrate the point. “And specifically, how will I know if I’ve been successful? If mistletoes outlive humans, that’s how. And that’s what motivates a lot of the science I do.” And I’m supposed to trust any of the scientific conclusions this anti-human nutcase comes to? No, thank you. Another one admits he sees the idea of the brumby's cultural heritage as false and irrelevant. Of course, he’s allowed to have that opinion but it casts a lot of doubt on the conclusions he draws (if you have any critical thinking skills).
Sharwood also loves to correct those uneducated brumby advocates with the science. (He has a very interesting way of doing this when he speaks to former Nationals MLA Peter Cochran. The conversation is framed as an adversarial one where Sharwood responds to Cochran’s laughable arguments and looks like the winner. However Cochran is clearly not responding to what Sharwood says. The author is just inserting his own thoughts after the fact and acting as if he has defeated Cochran in an argument. Perhaps he was too scared to say it to Cochran’s face. Classic journalist behaviour.) Curiously though he fails to correct the argument of a woman named Monica Morgan that Indigenous people have been in Australia for “hundreds of thousands of years”. I’m not kidding. She actually says that. And not a peep from Sharwood about how “actually the science contradicts that”.
Another framing we see is that of authentic indigenous culture and connection to the land against the phoney culture of the white settlers (described as a “costume” by one of Sharwood’s most annoying heroes, Richard Swain). And the more you read the more you see the classic anti-white attitude of the modern Australian left coming through from the anti-brumby crowd. A hiker from Canberra describes the history of the horses as “leaning directly on a very white, very conquistadorial history”. This is clearly supposed to be a bad thing. Sadly Sharwood also falls into this, producing the following quote after describing a series of camping mishaps.
“It’s not often in suburban, middle-class life that you feel your whiteness as a burden on someone else. But you feel it out here, and it’s a clumsiness, a wrongness, a smear.” This level of self-hatred almost made me throw up.
Am I making too much of this as a culture war rather than making it about the actual horses? Maybe so. But that’s the whole point of this book. It’s about much more than the brumbies. I’ve got to write a Substack article about this.
One way the “brumby wars” are framed is as a battle between rationalism and romance. The scientists (often from Canberra or Sydney) represent the objective view of the world-brumbies are destroying the environment, particularly in the high country-and the brumby advocates (usually from the high country themselves) are hopeless romantics, caught up in an unrealistic nostalgia for a rural Australia that never really existed except in Banjo Paterson poems. In reality, the scientists have their own biases. Whether it’s the desire to get research grants, government pressure or personal political opinions, the idea that every ecologist is some unbiased arbiter of reality is completely laughable. Although Sharwood does not appear self-aware enough to notice, his book seems to acknowledge this.
I’ll quote one of his scientists to illustrate the point. “And specifically, how will I know if I’ve been successful? If mistletoes outlive humans, that’s how. And that’s what motivates a lot of the science I do.” And I’m supposed to trust any of the scientific conclusions this anti-human nutcase comes to? No, thank you. Another one admits he sees the idea of the brumby's cultural heritage as false and irrelevant. Of course, he’s allowed to have that opinion but it casts a lot of doubt on the conclusions he draws (if you have any critical thinking skills).
Sharwood also loves to correct those uneducated brumby advocates with the science. (He has a very interesting way of doing this when he speaks to former Nationals MLA Peter Cochran. The conversation is framed as an adversarial one where Sharwood responds to Cochran’s laughable arguments and looks like the winner. However Cochran is clearly not responding to what Sharwood says. The author is just inserting his own thoughts after the fact and acting as if he has defeated Cochran in an argument. Perhaps he was too scared to say it to Cochran’s face. Classic journalist behaviour.) Curiously though he fails to correct the argument of a woman named Monica Morgan that Indigenous people have been in Australia for “hundreds of thousands of years”. I’m not kidding. She actually says that. And not a peep from Sharwood about how “actually the science contradicts that”.
Another framing we see is that of authentic indigenous culture and connection to the land against the phoney culture of the white settlers (described as a “costume” by one of Sharwood’s most annoying heroes, Richard Swain). And the more you read the more you see the classic anti-white attitude of the modern Australian left coming through from the anti-brumby crowd. A hiker from Canberra describes the history of the horses as “leaning directly on a very white, very conquistadorial history”. This is clearly supposed to be a bad thing. Sadly Sharwood also falls into this, producing the following quote after describing a series of camping mishaps.
“It’s not often in suburban, middle-class life that you feel your whiteness as a burden on someone else. But you feel it out here, and it’s a clumsiness, a wrongness, a smear.” This level of self-hatred almost made me throw up.
Am I making too much of this as a culture war rather than making it about the actual horses? Maybe so. But that’s the whole point of this book. It’s about much more than the brumbies. I’ve got to write a Substack article about this.
October 26, 2022
As an outsider, I've had a hard time understanding the brumby issue of the Australian high country. This book gives a comprehensive introduction to both sides of the debate/war. Also, I think Australians should write more non-fiction in general because their way with the words livens up even the dull bits!
August 30, 2022
I think the real strength of this work lies not in its telling of the brumby story (which is engaging if not entirely neutral) but as an accessible case study with all the classic ingredients of a protracted, highly polarised issue: a stalemate of unchanging arguments, stereotyping, internecine squabbkes, strange bedfellows, the need to belong, proxy battles for hidden (perhaps subconscious) ideological agendas, disingenuous provocations, zealots damaging their cause and (reassuringly) a few cooler heads who can see a solution in compromise.
February 12, 2023
Another review questioned the sanity of the author for taking in this topic and I agree. I also agree with that reviewers sincere thanks in the author for doing so.
Reading this book helped me understand (though not agree I hasten to add) those on both sides of this issue. Sharwood helped illuminate how the question of feral horses in the Australian Alps is genuinely multifaceted and that often the combatants are not talking about horses but contesting other values.
Highly recommended
Reading this book helped me understand (though not agree I hasten to add) those on both sides of this issue. Sharwood helped illuminate how the question of feral horses in the Australian Alps is genuinely multifaceted and that often the combatants are not talking about horses but contesting other values.
Highly recommended
November 29, 2021
A good exposition of both sides of the feral horse debate, its history and its proponents.
January 2, 2022
Australian’s should read this
March 15, 2022
Very comprehensive cover of the dilemna.
December 30, 2022
Completely biased
November 17, 2022
Nice book, goes in depth into important and relevant issues, opened my eyes.
Read
September 30, 2024This is a very interesting and well-researched study of a complex issue.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews