Here’s an excerpt from a new piece I’ve recently written for The Horse Life. I really enjoyed writing it, and I hope you will enjoy it reading it too.
“For many recruits, horses were a terrifying prospect. In daily life, horses were gradually being replaced by machines and motors, and it could no longer be assumed that recruits would know anything at all about horses. The only option was to ensure they were swiftly trained. For new recruits, their education began with ‘Stables’ and the daily routines that would become central to their daily lives as horsed soldiers. They were taught the rudiments of horse care: grooming; mucking out; harness cleaning; issuing water, hay and feeds; harnessing and tacking up; and in handling their horses and vehicles safely and efficiently. They were taught about the vehicles and equipment they would be using, and how to properly load a pack animal. They were taught to ride. At every stage, the emphasis was on ensuring their horses were properly maintained, and little sympathy was wasted on the ‘duffer or malingerer’.”
To find out more, please find the full article by following the link:
Find out about recruiting, training, and much, much more in Soldiers and their Horses! Now available for download:
Soldiers and their Horses 