Over six million horses played a role in World War I, more than any other conflict in history. The British Army alone used 1,183,228 horses.
Vets treated 2.5 million horses; two million recovered and returned to the battlefield.
The British Army Veterinary Corp hospitals in France cared for 725,000 horses and successfully treated three-quarters of them. A typical horse hospital could treat 2,000 animals at any one time
Well-bred horses were more likely to suffer from shell shock and be affected by the sights and sounds of battle than their less refined compatriots, who could be taught to lie down and take cover at the sound of artillery fire.
One-quarter of all deaths were due to gunfire and gas; exhaustion and disease claimed the rest.
Fearing their horses would face terrible and terrifying conditions at war, some owners took the drastic measure of humanely putting their animals down before the army could seize them.
In a single day during the Battle of Verdun in 1916, 7,000 horses were killed by long-range shelling on both sides, including 97 killed by single shots from a French naval gun.
Losses were particularly heavy among Clydesdale horses, which were used to haul guns.
Britain lost over 484,000 horses - one horse for every two men.
During the war, many horses died because of exhaustion, drowning, becoming mired (stuck in the mud) and falling into shell holes. In some cases, riders were killed and their horses captured. Horses were sometimes fed and cared for poorly, poison gas attacks injured their respiratory systems and skin, and skin conditions such as mange were common.
Horses were considered so valuable that if a soldier's horse was killed or died he was required to cut off a hoof and bring it back to his commanding officer to prove that the two had not simply become separated
Above, the statue of Reckless - The small mare was 14 hands and weighed 900 pounds, but would become America’s greatest war horse. Reckless formed an unbreakable bond with her unit. She often slept in the marines’ tents and dined with them. The intelligent mare quickly learned the supply route during her multiple combats in the Korean War and would make the supply runs on her own without a handler. Towards the end of the Korean War, at the Battle of Outpost Vegas, the fearless mare made 51 trips to the front lines with ammunition in one day. After dropping off the ammunition, she would carry wounded soldier back to camp. She never wavered in her commitment or duties even after being injured twice, which earned her two Purple Hearts.
She passed away in 1968 at the age of 20 and was buried with full military honours.
The touching black and white photo is believed to have been taken by officers of the Auxiliary Remount Dept. No.326 in Camp Cody, New Mexico in 1915.
The image shows about 650 soldiers standing in a formation that, from above, resembles a cavalry horse's head, neck, and bridle -- a true tribute from the soldiers to the many horses who fought, and often died, by their side in the Great War.
Anonymous said
Nov 25 10:24 AM, 2019
Horses: noble, indispensable, unsung heroes since time immemorial.
Thanks for posting this, Digger. Even though it almost made me cry.
Magica said
Nov 25 1:11 PM, 2019
Such devastation of beautiful horses. Dogs too died. Such a wasteful, unnecessary war which killed millions of soldiers, boys who signed up, animals. What for?? The start had nothing to do with us. It really is sad and they should never be forgotten.
Digger said
Nov 25 1:12 PM, 2019
The thing about horses is that many people think they are nervous jumpy idiots. Far from it. They are noble courageous creatures who will usually do anything asked of them by us. Even if it means they die.
Magica said
Nov 25 1:15 PM, 2019
Very true digs, they are heroes too!
Maddog said
Nov 25 5:07 PM, 2019
My middle daughter went to a university with a military back ground that still graduates hundreds of officers every year. They used to train cavalry officers. In the 70s they resurrected the program for ceremonial stuff mostly (she was trained to use a sabre and a handgun on horseback, but I doubt there's much use for those tactics today). However all of the horses were taken care of by cadets, so on top of school work, other Corps responsibilities, they had about 50 horses and 4 mules to take care of.
-- Edited by Maddog on Monday 25th of November 2019 05:08:30 PM
-- Edited by Maddog on Monday 25th of November 2019 05:47:45 PM
That's brilliant MD. what a lovely photo too. I can ride a horse, just, but they can tell I'm a bit wary.
Digger said
Nov 25 9:32 PM, 2019
I used to ride a lot. Had some nasty falls too.
Rayne said
Nov 25 10:22 PM, 2019
Digger wrote:
Over six million horses played a role in World War I, more than any other conflict in history. The British Army alone used 1,183,228 horses.
Vets treated 2.5 million horses; two million recovered and returned to the battlefield.
The British Army Veterinary Corp hospitals in France cared for 725,000 horses and successfully treated three-quarters of them. A typical horse hospital could treat 2,000 animals at any one time
Well-bred horses were more likely to suffer from shell shock and be affected by the sights and sounds of battle than their less refined compatriots, who could be taught to lie down and take cover at the sound of artillery fire.
One-quarter of all deaths were due to gunfire and gas; exhaustion and disease claimed the rest.
Fearing their horses would face terrible and terrifying conditions at war, some owners took the drastic measure of humanely putting their animals down before the army could seize them.
In a single day during the Battle of Verdun in 1916, 7,000 horses were killed by long-range shelling on both sides, including 97 killed by single shots from a French naval gun.
Losses were particularly heavy among Clydesdale horses, which were used to haul guns.
Britain lost over 484,000 horses - one horse for every two men.
During the war, many horses died because of exhaustion, drowning, becoming mired (stuck in the mud) and falling into shell holes. In some cases, riders were killed and their horses captured. Horses were sometimes fed and cared for poorly, poison gas attacks injured their respiratory systems and skin, and skin conditions such as mange were common.
Horses were considered so valuable that if a soldier's horse was killed or died he was required to cut off a hoof and bring it back to his commanding officer to prove that the two had not simply become separated
Above, the statue of Reckless - The small mare was 14 hands and weighed 900 pounds, but would become America’s greatest war horse. Reckless formed an unbreakable bond with her unit. She often slept in the marines’ tents and dined with them. The intelligent mare quickly learned the supply route during her multiple combats in the Korean War and would make the supply runs on her own without a handler. Towards the end of the Korean War, at the Battle of Outpost Vegas, the fearless mare made 51 trips to the front lines with ammunition in one day. After dropping off the ammunition, she would carry wounded soldier back to camp. She never wavered in her commitment or duties even after being injured twice, which earned her two Purple Hearts.
She passed away in 1968 at the age of 20 and was buried with full military honours.
The touching black and white photo is believed to have been taken by officers of the Auxiliary Remount Dept. No.326 in Camp Cody, New Mexico in 1915.
The image shows about 650 soldiers standing in a formation that, from above, resembles a cavalry horse's head, neck, and bridle -- a true tribute from the soldiers to the many horses who fought, and often died, by their side in the Great War.
I always knew horses were used, but to actually read just how many and the ways they died is pretty horrific. : (
-- Edited by Rayne on Monday 25th of November 2019 10:24:13 PM
Maddog said
Nov 25 11:56 PM, 2019
My favorite Canadian singer, who incidentally played here in Ft Worth last night. Appropriate song. Give it a listen.
rollup said
Dec 7 11:58 PM, 2019
Maddog wrote:
My favorite Canadian singer, who incidentally played here in Ft Worth last night. Appropriate song. Give it a listen.
I like!
I'll have a look at some of hs stuff.
kizzie said
Dec 8 6:25 AM, 2019
Maddog wrote:
My favorite Canadian singer, who incidentally played here in Ft Worth last night. Appropriate song. Give it a listen.
Really enjoyed that.
I'm not a horsey person but as a child, I always cried when they got hurt in war films or cowboy films. I remember one film where they all were falling over cliffs and I was desolate and inconsolable. I love horses but never felt the want that many do to take up riding. I love chatting to them when I see them over the fields
Me and my brother used to help this man set up and take down his kids rides of a weekend.
he had a couple of roundabouts and two horses, me and my brother used to take the horses back to the stables the man would puy their saddles into the storage shed on site. I decided to ride one back one day, was going well until the horse decided to stop and eat, as it head went down I slid down its neck, face-first into a cowpat. We could not stop laughing. Even now 50 odd years later we still talk about it
Binny said
Dec 8 6:29 AM, 2019
It's fun being on one when it takes off, not.
Digger said
Dec 8 12:27 PM, 2019
Binny wrote:
It's fun being on one when it takes off, not.
Happened to me a few times. It's like having a rocket engine between your legs....you sit there thinking, "I've just got to ride this one out and stay in the saddle!"
Pre-emptive: Shut the fuck up, JD.
Binny said
Dec 8 1:08 PM, 2019
Digger wrote:
Binny wrote:
It's fun being on one when it takes off, not.
Happened to me a few times. It's like having a rocket engine between your legs....you sit there thinking, "I've just got to ride this one out and stay in the saddle!"
Pre-emptive: Shut the fuck up, JD.
It's the barbed wire fence you think you are going to be jettisoned into. I'm glad you liked my wellies, they were a present from my husband of nearly 25years.
Syl said
Dec 8 5:41 PM, 2019
Haha......I have had that too.....cling on or be damned.
My sister gave me one of her horses to ride without telling me that she was too scared to ride him because he was unpredictable....and she is an experienced rider I am not.
The inevitable happened.
John Doe said
Dec 8 7:17 PM, 2019
Digger wrote:
Binny wrote:
It's fun being on one when it takes off, not.
Happened to me a few times. It's like having a rocket engine between your legs....you sit there thinking, "I've just got to ride this one out and stay in the saddle!"
Over six million horses played a role in World War I, more than any other conflict in history. The British Army alone used 1,183,228 horses.
During the war, many horses died because of exhaustion, drowning, becoming mired (stuck in the mud) and falling into shell holes. In some cases, riders were killed and their horses captured. Horses were sometimes fed and cared for poorly, poison gas attacks injured their respiratory systems and skin, and skin conditions such as mange were common.
Horses were considered so valuable that if a soldier's horse was killed or died he was required to cut off a hoof and bring it back to his commanding officer to prove that the two had not simply become separated
Above, the statue of Reckless - The small mare was 14 hands and weighed 900 pounds, but would become America’s greatest war horse. Reckless formed an unbreakable bond with her unit. She often slept in the marines’ tents and dined with them. The intelligent mare quickly learned the supply route during her multiple combats in the Korean War and would make the supply runs on her own without a handler. Towards the end of the Korean War, at the Battle of Outpost Vegas, the fearless mare made 51 trips to the front lines with ammunition in one day. After dropping off the ammunition, she would carry wounded soldier back to camp. She never wavered in her commitment or duties even after being injured twice, which earned her two Purple Hearts.
She passed away in 1968 at the age of 20 and was buried with full military honours.
The touching black and white photo is believed to have been taken by officers of the Auxiliary Remount Dept. No.326 in Camp Cody, New Mexico in 1915.
The image shows about 650 soldiers standing in a formation that, from above, resembles a cavalry horse's head, neck, and bridle -- a true tribute from the soldiers to the many horses who fought, and often died, by their side in the Great War.
Horses: noble, indispensable, unsung heroes since time immemorial.
Thanks for posting this, Digger. Even though it almost made me cry.
-- Edited by Maddog on Monday 25th of November 2019 05:08:30 PM
-- Edited by Maddog on Monday 25th of November 2019 05:47:45 PM
That's brilliant MD. what a lovely photo too. I can ride a horse, just, but they can tell I'm a bit wary.
I always knew horses were used, but to actually read just how many and the ways they died is pretty horrific. : (
-- Edited by Rayne on Monday 25th of November 2019 10:24:13 PM
My favorite Canadian singer, who incidentally played here in Ft Worth last night. Appropriate song. Give it a listen.
I like!
I'll have a look at some of hs stuff.
Really enjoyed that.
I'm not a horsey person but as a child, I always cried when they got hurt in war films or cowboy films. I remember one film where they all were falling over cliffs and I was desolate and inconsolable. I love horses but never felt the want that many do to take up riding. I love chatting to them when I see them over the fields
Me and my brother used to help this man set up and take down his kids rides of a weekend.
he had a couple of roundabouts and two horses, me and my brother used to take the horses back to the stables the man would puy their saddles into the storage shed on site. I decided to ride one back one day, was going well until the horse decided to stop and eat, as it head went down I slid down its neck, face-first into a cowpat. We could not stop laughing. Even now 50 odd years later we still talk about it
It's fun being on one when it takes off, not.
Happened to me a few times. It's like having a rocket engine between your legs....you sit there thinking, "I've just got to ride this one out and stay in the saddle!"
Pre-emptive: Shut the fuck up, JD.
It's the barbed wire fence you think you are going to be jettisoned into. I'm glad you liked my wellies, they were a present from my husband of nearly 25years.
My sister gave me one of her horses to ride without telling me that she was too scared to ride him because he was unpredictable....and she is an experienced rider I am not.
The inevitable happened.