Brumbies make fantastic endurance horses. They are agile and robust in the bush, which is their native habitat. Horses from the Northern Tablelands were previously conscripted for employment in the Light Horse Regiments, thus that should be a strong recommendation. Today, they are used for hunting, dressage, eventing, and ranch work. Horses have been used for transportation since ancient times. The first animals used for this purpose were probably those that could be controlled with reins and whip. Over time, riders learned to use their legs to control the horse's action, so that now today's riding breeds have much more power over the animal's behavior. These days, horses are used for tourism and competition in many disciplines of equestrian sports. Although they may appear delicate, it is not unusual for a modern riding horse to bear up to 150 pounds on its back. The type of work that each breed of horse is best suited for will determine how they are selected by farmers or ranchers for sale at auction or through private contracts. For example, horses sold as trail horses usually have a light weight between 350 and 550 pounds so that they can be easily managed on long distances without being exhausted. Race horses usually weigh more than 600 pounds and are selected for speed and stamina. Hunting horses need to be able to withstand the stress of chasing down their prey over rough terrain for hours at a time without getting sick or tired.