Part I: The Role of Horses
By November 1918, half of the British Army's horses were in France. The rest were spread across the Balkans, Middle East, Egypt, Italy and the U.K. There were four main roles. Supply horses and mules were used to move ammunition, general supplies and ambulances. Riding horses were ridden by soldiers behind, and sometimes even in, the front line. Teams of gun horses pulled artillery pieces that weighed as much as taxis. Cavalry horses were still used in battle.
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By November 1918, half of the British Army's horses were in France. The rest were spread across the Balkans, Middle East, Egypt, Italy and the U.K. There were four main roles. Supply horses and mules were used to move ammunition, general supplies and ambulances. Riding horses were ridden by soldiers behind, and sometimes even in, the front line. Teams of gun horses pulled artillery pieces that weighed as much as taxis. Cavalry horses were still used in battle.
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Part II: The Backbone of WWI
The British Army invested immense resources in keeping horses ready for war. The British Army provided 2,978,301 tons of oats and 2,460,301 tons of pressed hay as fodder during the conflict. Each 1000 man infantry battalion had a transport section of 20 men, who looked after the riding horses, supply horses, and supply mules. In the muddy conditions it could take 12 hours to clean the horses and their equipment.
Over 1,300 officers served as veterinary surgeons across all theaters of war. There were also more than 27,000 men serving in the Army Veterinary Corps, who supported the medical treatment of horses. On average, the British Army lost 15% of its horses every year. Surprisingly, just a quarter of horse deaths were caused by enemy action. The biggest killer was 'debility' - a condition caused by exposure to the elements, hunger, and illness.
The British Army invested immense resources in keeping horses ready for war. The British Army provided 2,978,301 tons of oats and 2,460,301 tons of pressed hay as fodder during the conflict. Each 1000 man infantry battalion had a transport section of 20 men, who looked after the riding horses, supply horses, and supply mules. In the muddy conditions it could take 12 hours to clean the horses and their equipment.
Over 1,300 officers served as veterinary surgeons across all theaters of war. There were also more than 27,000 men serving in the Army Veterinary Corps, who supported the medical treatment of horses. On average, the British Army lost 15% of its horses every year. Surprisingly, just a quarter of horse deaths were caused by enemy action. The biggest killer was 'debility' - a condition caused by exposure to the elements, hunger, and illness.
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