The Centaur Podcast

Episode: A Visionary Breeder in Australia

Host: Camron Adibi

Guest: Jeanette Gower

Original Air Date: October 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this enlightening episode, host Camron Adibi has an in-depth conversation with Jeanette Gower, a renowned Australian horse breeder and equine educator with over 55 years of experience. The episode explores the evolution of Australian Stock Horses, responsible breeding ethics, the vital role of genetics, and the remarkable story behind Jeanette’s legacy. The discussion is filled with both historical insights and practical wisdom, aiming to inspire listeners about the unique possibilities in the horse-human connection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeanette’s Beginnings & the Australian Drought

• Location & Present Challenges ([01:59])
  • Jeanette lives in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, an area recently affected by severe drought.
  • "We've had a really bad, really tough season for finding hay right through. People have been bringing hay voluntarily from Perth and New South Wales..." (Jeanette, 02:10)
• Adaptation & Community Response
  • Jeanette planned ahead and managed to secure enough hay for her horses.
  • The community effort with convoys of hay trucks highlights the solidarity among Australian farmers.

2. Origins in Breeding & The Stock Horse Legacy

• Non-Equestrian Upbringing ([06:00])
  • Despite no family background with horses, Jeanette’s passion led her to breed her first foal at age 15.
  • "I didn't have a horsey background. I was raised in the city and... obsessed. I didn't ever ride a horse, really, until I was 13." (Jeanette, 06:01)
• Australian Stock Horse History ([04:02])
  • The breed traces back to the “Whaler” horses, renowned in wartime and established more formally in the 1970s to safeguard unique bloodlines.
  • Stock horses are described as “a stronger boned Thoroughbred.”

3. Pioneering in Color Genetics

• Curiosity Ignites Scientific Exchange ([11:00–15:00])
  • Jeanette’s early confusion over foal coloration led her into international correspondence with geneticists.
  • Her expertise was recognized when she co-hosted a seminar with Icelandic researcher Stefan Adalsteinsson:
    • "At the end of the parade, Stefan Adelsteinsson said to the crowd, you know, you better listen to Jeanette. She knows as much about it as I do." (Jeanette, 14:08)
• Popularizing Equine Genetics
  • Authored a genetics column and later the book Horse Color Explained—notably before the rise of the internet.

4. Teaching, Writing, and the Evolution of a Stud

• Educator & Author ([16:23–18:09])
  • Jeanette taught adult equine studies for 19 years.
  • Authored several books, notably Horse Color Explained and The Thinking Horse Breeder.
• Motivation and Recognition ([19:41])
  • Her stallion, Rannoch, was inducted into the Australian Stock Horse Society Hall of Fame, prompting Jeanette to document their journey in The Rannoch Legacy.

5. Breeding Philosophy & Practice

• Vision and Responsibility ([21:10])
  • Jeanette’s philosophy is rooted in “breeding for excellence and responsibly.”
    • "Breed for excellence. That's my major breeding philosophy." (Jeanette, 21:10)
    • "Secondly, breed responsibly." (Jeanette, 21:36)
• Lifelong Learning & Mentorship
  • Advocates for curiosity and seeking mentors; credits polo strappers and prominent studs for her foundational lessons.
• Selective Breeding
  • Only the best offspring are retained for future breeding; colts not meeting high standards are gelded to maintain quality.
    • "We didn't want substandard colts out there representing Rannoch." (Jeanette, 34:35)

6. Training & Handling Foals

• Well-Handled Horses Find Good Homes ([24:30])
  • “If you handle your horses well, they will always find good homes.”
• Foal Rearing Process ([39:59–42:45])
  • Detailed daily handling from birth: exposure to rope, halter, leading, feet handling, and acclimatization for transport and new homes.
  • "Always we start with the foal, handling it on the first day... rubbed, scratched, loved upon." (Jeanette, 40:06)
  • Foals are weaned and sent to new homes at 6–7 months.

7. Stock Horse Performance and Versatility

• Promoting Multi-discipline Success ([43:24])
  • Stock horses excel in polo, polocrosse, eventing, hacking, camp drafting, and are increasingly exported for polocrosse and working equitation.
  • "We have a bit of the best of both worlds, and they've competed very, very, very well in both those types of events." (Jeanette, 36:16)

8. Camp Drafting: Australia’s Unique Sport

• Explanation of Sport ([45:05–47:48])
  • Combines elements of working cow horse, reining, and cutting.
  • Success relies greatly on the horse’s cattle sense and partnership with the rider, with events often reaching hundreds of entries.
  • "It's really exciting and everyone cheers. The horse work at the highest level is unbelievable." (Jeanette, 48:10)

9. The Future of Horses and Youth Involvement

• Concerns & Opportunities ([51:32–54:07])
  • Rising costs and loss of farms threaten the future, but robust youth programs in Australia—especially in camp drafting—help sustain engagement.
  • Emphasizes the need for practical, hands-on learning, echoing Temple Grandin’s advocacy:
    • "We need kids to get out and about and practice using tools and getting skills away from the internet..." (Jeanette, 53:15)

10. Jeanette’s Business Model & Reflections

• Sustainable Breeding Practices ([56:46])
  • Despite success, Jeanette never relied solely on the stud for income—“the horses had to pay their way,” but she always maintained an outside job.
• Life Lessons & Intergenerational Wisdom ([62:49–63:02])
  • Reflects on the value of stories and the importance of sharing experiences with younger generations.

Notable Quotes

• "I didn't have a horsey background...I was raised in the city and...obsessed." (Jeanette, 06:01)
• "If you handle your horses well, they will always find good homes." (Jeanette, 24:30)
• “Breed for excellence. That’s my major breeding philosophy...and secondly, breed responsibly.” (Jeanette, 21:10, 21:36)
• “We didn’t want substandard colts out there representing Rannoch.” (Jeanette, 34:35)
• "It's really exciting and everyone cheers. The horse work at the highest level is unbelievable." (Jeanette, 48:10)
• "The horses had to pay their way because my job didn't pay for...my job paid for me and my kids...But the horses couldn't eat into that income..." (Jeanette, 55:52)
• “We need kids to get out and about and practice using tools and getting skills away from the internet.” (Jeanette, 53:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Drought and Australian Farming Challenges: [02:00–03:30]
• Jeanette’s First Foal and Early Breeding: [06:01–09:09]
• Color Genetics Quest and Recognition: [11:00–15:21]
• Books and Educational Career: [16:23–19:41]
• Breeding Philosophy: [21:10–24:30]
• Selective Breeding Practices: [32:23–36:08]
• Foal Handling and Young Horse Preparation: [39:59–42:45]
• Camp Drafting Explained: [45:05–48:10]
• Perspectives on Youth Involvement: [51:32–54:07]
• Business Approach and Financial Realities: [55:46–57:46]

Resources Mentioned

• Jeanette Gower’s works:
  • The Thinking Horse Breeder
  • Horse Color Explained
  • The Rannoch Legacy
• Websites:
  • shalani.net
  • Shalani Facebook page
• Further Reading:
  • Temple Grandin’s books and talks on experiential learning

Final Thoughts

This episode offers an inspiring look at a lifetime of responsible and innovative horse breeding, underlining the importance of vision, hands-on work, high standards, and adaptability. Jeanette’s journey from a horse-deprived city kid to a national authority on genetics and breeding is a testament to passionate self-education and perseverance. Her dedication to both the welfare of her horses and the education of the wider equestrian community stands as a model for breeders and horse lovers worldwide.