112 ANIMALS USED IN WAR. 



de Calais) was in our midst during our operations in Northern 

 France, he became very well known to us and was much 

 appreciated by good judges of horses. His colour is chiefly 

 grey, not the usual colour for an Army horse ; (Note. — There is 

 no reason why this colour should now be debarred) but he is a 

 good, compact, sturdy, stout-hearted animal, with a great 

 record for draught, and is an ideal farm horse. 



The heavy Beige (Brabanoonne) with his massive crest, 

 which we used to see a good deal of in England at one time, is 

 too big as a war horse, but he is an economic factor in Belgium, 

 and his breed entered into some of the crossed American horses 

 used by us during the War. 



The Ardennes horse is very good, and is a favourite for 

 Artillery purposes and medium heavy draught. 



In any community of animals, however, whatever the breed, 

 there is always a variation in size, and the smaller horses of 

 heavy draught strains, if other good points are e^ual, can and 

 should be selected. For general draught purposes in 

 Formations and units at the Front, the most satisfactory of all 

 animals was the heavy light-draught Welsh cart horse. Strong, 

 active and hardy, he is hard to beat for all-round draught 

 purposes, and if the question of breeding specially for the Army 

 ever arises, this type should be kept in view and followed. The 

 draught animals purchased in Wales previous to the War for 

 the Eoyal Army Service Corps were patterns of excellence, and 

 they did remarkably well. We could have done with more of 

 them. 



Chapter III. 



LIGHT DEAUGHT HOESES. 



According to Army specifications and requirements, a light 

 draught horse is one which should be capable of drawing a 

 weight of 1200 lb. for approximately twenty miles per day, 

 walk about three miles an hour, and trot at an average of six 

 miles. This is of course a simple guide to show the degree of 

 power expected, and to indicate a necessary activity in this class- 



