A JULIA Creek horsewoman is putting her horse’s mane on the chopping block to raise funds to help drought-stricken communities.
Shelley Henry, who is working as the caretaker on Caiwarra Brahman Stud, Julia Creek, loves the long, shaggy mane on her 13-year-old bay gelding, Frequency Oak, better known in campdrafting circles as Freaky, so much that she has never cut it.
A Quarterhorse-Australian Stockhorse cross, Freaky spent most of his sporting career as a rope and barrel horse, during which his long mane was normal.
Ms Henry never questioned his appearance and has left it untouched, much to the amusement of her campdrafting friends who badgered her constantly about Freaky’s long locks.
“The shave started out as a request by many of my friends on the campdraft scene as most horses being drafted have a hogged mane or clipped mane,” Ms Henry said.
“I would have none of it, as I absolutely love his mane.
“Until the conversation turned towards using his mane to raise funds for Beyond Blue, a great charity who help those who have been affected by depression and anxiety.
“I am hoping that the fundraising not only raises money for the charity but also awareness for those who are doing it tough in the outback regions of Australia.
“My aim is to raise $5000. I will be shaving his mane off to celebrate this milestone.
“If possible we would like to raise this money prior to our campdraft finals which are being hosted in Richmond, Queensland, in September.”
An Every Day Hero page has been launched.
Ms Henry is well aware of the impacts of drought on her community.
"I think there are real flow-on effects from the drought," she said. "People can't sell their cattle because the cattle are too poor and they might not be able to afford to buy feed for them.
"When they don't have money coming in they stop spending in town.
“So it's all the little businesses that are suffering as well. Cattlemen are sometimes too proud to accept help.”
