Canadian War Horses at the Front, Daily Racing Form, 1916-02-18

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i I CANADIAN WAR HORSES AT THE FRONT. According to statistics furnished hy the Canadian Remount Hureau. so far only teu per cent of the Canadian horses at the front have succumbed, and most of these were killed in battle. There are now approximately 15,000 horses with the Canadian army corps in France, each infantry division having 6.2S0. The horses of a division are taken care id by twelve veterinary officers and one mobile veterinary section of twenty-seven men. The nio-ile section takes care of the horses on the firing line. The slightly wounded or indisposed lieasts are cared for and returned to the front. If the Hoops are on the move all injured horses are immediately .Heeled and sent iii groups back to the railroad, going by train to the nearest veterinary base hospital. When they once more become lit for duty they are sent to the regimental depot, where they ate lei-sued fee further use. Horses whi.h in previous wars and civilian life would be destroyed at once are treated so successfully thai they often become lit again for duty on the tiring line. It is interesting to nole that of 007 homes sent on one occasion t. the field veterinary hospital only twelve died. W.-unded horses are Immediately given lirst aid. Any horse which is able • lo walk is rushed back to the mobile section, or held hospital, its wounds are carefully treated and every attention given it. Fresh horses are constantly being brought to the front to replace the wounded animals. During the second battle of Ypres. when the • Canadians were pressed to their utmost, at no time ■ was the supply of horses dimilislied at Ihe tiring ! line. As casualties occurred among the battery aud transport horses re enforcements were rushed I in to take their places. Although the Canadian 1 gaas were within 300 yards of the enemy, there was not a wagon or a gun lost. Horses with as 1 many as ten bullet w.. uinls have been treated, and I in some instances sent back to work, entirely recovered, in three weeks. In fact, some of the ! wounded horses have returned to the front after a 1 week in the hospital. It is interesting to note ! war horses" diet. They are fed three times a day. . and gel an allow mice of eighteen pounds of hay. . twelve i ii. is of oats, eight pounds of straw, or is lieu of this, four pounds of extra hay and two poanda of oats, or any other fodder procurable of e.uial food value malt, sugar beets or vegetables. The Canadian horses are reported a- hiving put on much Desk since they have l een in France.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1916021801/drf1916021801_1_5
Local Identifier: drf1916021801_1_5
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800