Does YOUR horse love their bit?

GMC Course War Horse week

https://youtu.be/ehSXpungPG8

Above is a link to the trailer of the movie we will be watching at camp on Wednesday at 1. This movie was made when there were still living survivors, and to hear their interviews is like stepping back in time. What the men and their horses went through was hell...

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Some facts about WW1:


*the British army possessed a mere 25,000 horses and were given the urgent task of sourcing half a million more to go into battle

*in the first year of war the countryside was emptied of work horses and riding ponies; a heartbreaking prospect for farming families who saw their finest and most beloved horses requisitioned by the government

*the US was the main source of horses to replenish the supply; between 1914 and 1917 approximately 1000 horses a day were sent by ship from the US. They were a constant target for German naval attack, with many lost.

*horse losses were appallingly high because of their vulnerability to artillery and machine gun fire, and to harsh winter conditions. They suffered from rain scald, scratches and disease. They were usually clipped to prevent mange, however the loss of hair made them vulnerable to the winter weather.

*this was the last time the horse would be used on a mass scale in modern warfare

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If you are curious, and would like to see more, click on the link below for some amazing photos of various Animals in World War 1:


https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2014/04/world-war-i-in-photos-animals-at-war/507320/


I will be looking for a journal entry after you see the movie (or watch the trailer). As you know, you are not required to come and see the movie, but I hope some of you will. The documentary was made when there were still living survivors to be interviewed, in their 90’s, that served in their teens and early 20’s. To hear these old horse loving soldiers speak is very moving. We will have a house full of excited campers making awesome stick horses, and will have popcorn to share! If you cannot come, please send me a journal entry after watching the trailer. Reflections on what it must have been like to have your horse, your pet and companion, requisitioned by the government…or how it could have felt to have been a soldier, with a war animal by your side. Is it ethical to use animals in warfare? Many thoughts can be provoked, and I am eager to hear yours. 

junPo© Sue Cook 2015