Complex sentence: The feral herds grew as horses escaped and were released from sheep stations and cavalry bases, and members of the herd were captured by locals for use as riding horses, as well as being used for their meat, hair and hides.
Split into simpler sentences: The feral herds grew as horses escaped and were released from sheep stations and cavalry bases. Members of the herd were recaptured by locals for use as riding horses, as well as being caught for their meat, hair and hides.