Clayton Station

21 horses from Clayton Station in South Australia have just arrived in Margaret River and many are looking for new homes.

Clayton Station has been in drought for eight years now and subsequently the owners are having having to destock; both horses and cattle.The lack of water and feed has resulted in deaths that the owners are unhappy about. They have arranged to send horses to places where there is feed and the chance of a new home.

The background of the Station and the history of the breeding can be seen on their own website www.claytonstation.com.au

Anyone interested in seeing the horses or wanting any further information call Sheila on....0418905835

A couple of us popped over to Sheila’s yesterday, to see how the latest group of rescue horses from Clayton Station is getting on. As most people know, 21 came over on the truck which is just about the largest group we’ve had arrive at any one time.

Fortunately Sheila’s new property is pretty much set up for it now and the horses were quickly sorted and shifted. Several went straight back up to Fred and Rachel Watkins at Bakers Hill, to be tamed down or taken straight to their new homes, to owners who are experienced at starting young wild horses. (These individuals were in far better condition than some of the others on arrival, so were okay to travel. They were actually supposed to be dropped off on the way down but the truck ended up larger than expected and couldn’t get up the drive way!)

A couple of minor injuries were sustained on the long journey over, most likely when the horses were offloaded at state borders to be treated for lice, possible plant or seed “cling-ons”, etc. Unfortunately this is always a bit stressful for the wild ones but not a lot can be done to avoid it. Quarantine laws and all that!

Happily the horses remaining at Sheila’s – mainly yearlings and two year olds – are settling down in the sun and green grass of large paddocks to recover from the drought they have come from, and put on some weight. They are all really quiet, good natured animals. Being young and well managed on the large station, most are already coming up to say hello and look curiously at people, more wary than afraid, which is great.

Relaxing in the sun!

Several of the horses in better condition have already been sorted into yards and halter training has started. There are only 7 horses left for sale now – mostly the ones in poorer condition who will take a few weeks longer than the others to recover anyway. They will spend a number of weeks in the paddock, being fed up, before being brought in and tamed.

Once each horse has been halter trained, etc, they will be ready to leave for their new homes. Sheila and Andrew have done a marvellous job preparing for the horses. Sally Clayton, an experienced horsewoman from Margaret River, who is also purchasing two of the part Clydies, has offered to help in the halter training process, which means there will now be several trainers involved. We thank them all for their time and patience.

It’s great to know that there are always a few willing helpers at Sheila’s, who aid in preparing and caring for the horses. (And there are quite a few horses there at the present time!)

Experienced helpers will also be living in to keep an eye on things next week when Sheila and Katherine are away at Equitana. Mind you, they will be being watched themselves...Sheila has a new mascot. Meet “Albert”...

Young Albert was a rescue case himself, saved by Sheila from neglect and a horribly infected abscess. Albert, now almost fully recovered, has taken to following Sheila and the dogs about during the day to supervise goings on. In the photo to the right he can be seen checking out the construction of the new elephant strength round yard.
When the Clayton horses were being shifted, and the large mob was being pushed quietly through the gates to be sorted, Albert leapt in to help...walking straight through the middle of the entire group. The stoic horses, instead of panicking and pounding/kicking the young buck, actually parted ways for him! (As Albert says, you’ve either got it or you don’t...) We’re told he has been moved out of the house since he took to sleeping on the lounge, however he can still be found curled up on the laundry tiles if the door is left open – much to the surprise of visiting dogs and humans alike.
Albert spends much of his time checking out the feed buckets and yarded horses to make sure any leftovers are tidied up and the horses don’t feel lonely. He’s also very good at rearranging anything foolish humans leave piled neatly in a corner, such as feed buckets, bags or pot plant containers, and has recently learnt to scare off unwanted canines by the old out-stare and head-butt manoeuvres. The Force is indeed with him! With a young goat as well as dogs and humans to get used to (they are already very good with the farm machinery), the Clayton horses will certainly be steady as well as ready to go by the time they leave. Never a dull moment in the country! Albert checking the yards with Sheila