I am A Kiwi, and in World War 1 New Zealand sent over 10,000 horses to war. ONLY ONE CAME HOME. This was a brown mare called Bess and she was owned by a Lt Col. Powles. She got shipped out in 1914 amongst the first consignment of mounted troops, She was in many campaigns in France and was ridden in the victory parade in Berlin by her owner..Bess suffered wounds from a bomb blast and is also credited with saving her owners life.
When she returned to NZ she went on and had a brief show jumping career and had 4 foals. She died at the ripe of age of 35 and is buried on the grounds of an agricultural college. She has a memorial and like the tomb of the unknown warrior, she represents all those that never came back..
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That's so very sad, it breaks my heart to think of all those brave horses. There is that new Steven Spielberg film coming out, "Warhorse", I'll be interested to see it but think it'll be very sad :(
I guess Bess was the lucky one. I have always felt so sad for the Light Horse Brigade from Australia and their horses. Apparently the soldiers had to shoot their loved and brave horses at the end of the war as they could not be returned to Australia. Mmm - I don't think I could possibly watch "Warhorse"!
Not to make this a political statement but all governments look at all the resource in the military as disposable the shoot the horses the dogs the mules because it is too cumbersome to return them properly. I say if you were able to get them there you can damn well bring the back
The us Marines have a moto "Leave no one behind"
It's too bad we all don't live by that. It would be so much better for animals women and children to know that no matter what you would not give up on them
I hope everyone has a joyful holiday
Cheers
Hi Lynn, this is a subject that is very close to my heart as a new Brumby owner. I know the Aussies sent Walers to the war but some Brumbies have been proven to be Walers. I saw the adds for the new WarHorse movie and i think i would be in tears to watch it!
Dennis the reason the Aussies had to leave their horses behind was because there was too much risk of bringing deadly diseases back carried by the horses.I don't know if all countries had the same reasoning. There were no vaccines back then so unfortunately they had to leave them behind. The Soldiers were not required to shoot their mounts but the alternative of leaving them to starve to death or perish of thirst was too great a burden for them to bear so many decided to make sure they were at their horses sides at their end. Terribly sad and it would have been heart wrenching! One Aussie horse made it back too! It's head is now preserved and on display at the Australian War Memorial.
Janelle :-)
Janella
thanks for the info on the Australian horses. My statement was a general condemnation of the practice of training animals to do our bidding then not fully taking care of them.
Hopefully films like War Horse and the work that Monty Roberts does will make an impact on how we as a society behave towards our animals. There are so many stories of shear bravery and devotion that animals show towards humans, we at least should do the same.
Cheers
Hi Dennis,
Sorry if my comment came across as if i was having a go at yours...wasn't meant to at all. Your statement is completely just and i am sure there are countries that do just leave their horses or other animals behind for those reasons. They do deserve to have the same "leave none behind" motto attatched to them as without them there would be a lot of lost battles i am sure. It is said that the way a man (or woman) treats his animals says a lot about the man....should be the same for countries!
Very sorry if i offended you before.
Janelle
Janelle
No offense was taken. I truly am grateful for the information. Being a history buff, I like to delve into the little stories that have a huge impact on how people think and react. Australia certainly understands the importance that the Waler had on their history past and present. The horse is magnificent with such heart.
Cheers
Thanks for explaining my comment Janelle and fair response Dennis. It was a sad, horrific era. I had two uncles in the Light Horse Brigade - one survived but he never got over having to leave his horse behind. I too have seen the shorts of "Warhorse" and now turn away from them as they make me so sad. No way could I watch the movie. I believe the Walers in Northern Australia are direct decendents of some of the horses that were returned. Continue to enjoy your new brumby Janelle - I gather they are very bright but sometimes quite challenging to break-in and handle. Good luck with it all.
Happy Christmas to everyone!
Wow Maggie what awesome lineage you have! I bet your uncle had some sad memories of that time :-(
I believe you are correct about the Northern Australian walers. I think it is now a requirement that to be registered Waler they have to be DNA tested and can be traced back to those few horses. Amazing stuff!
I am having a blast with Buster the Brumby! He is teaching me so much about the wonderful language of Equus. I can see why people would say they are bright but challenging. Buster has a very bright brain, even the truck driver who delivered him commented on that! I think they could become hard to break in if you underestimate that brain. I have been told that they enjoy learning so need to keep progressing in their training and have new things to do. Hopefully i can keep up with my boy's intelligent mind!
Have a very merry christmas!
Janelle
I have just read another book called 'Warrior' by General Jack Seely. He served in the 14-18 War and this book was written in 1934 about his Horse 'Warrior'. Lovely book to read, unlike War Horse, this like the one mentioned above is about a real horse. Tinged with all the sadness there are some wonderful moments related to both horses and men during that terrible war. One thing that struct me was at the end of the book he writes "The soul of a horse is a great and loyal soul, quite unspoiled by the chances and changes of human kind. Above all, it is a courageous soul, and an affectionate soul. But let there be one cruel blow from a grown up man,and you have ruined the horse's fine soul and spirit for ever.
It is my dream that those who read this book may vow never to beat a willing horse"
I think this shows that although there are people out there who are cruel to horses there have always been people like Monty who care and understand the spirit of the horse.
This book states that 1 million horses were used in this war and 900,000 did not return. Warrior survived and spent his last days back home on the Isle of Wight, hunting, jumping and happy hacks and died aged 33.
I hadn't heard about the Australian horses but I will now have to investigate this too.