RIDING HORSES. 121 



Chapter V. 

 EIDING HOESES. ' 



" Nevertheless it is generally agreed that the horse, not the 

 cavalryman, did dominate war during many centm:ies, for it was 

 the use made of the horse, with a rider, that often lent decisive 

 power. It may siirely be claimed, therefore, that it was the 

 horse, not the ' moral threat ' that proved the most powerful 

 weapon of Cavalry, even as recently as the campaign of 1918 in 

 Palestine." 



I am exceedingly glad to read the above from the able pen of 

 Major-General W. D. Bird, c.B., c.m.g. d.s.c, in his article 

 " Years versus Ideas " published in the Cavalry Journal of July 

 1920, rt propos a question of Tanks in replacement of Cavalry. 



The days of Cavalry in our Army are no more numbered by 

 the threat of Tanks than they were affected by introduction of 

 bicycles or the use of aeroplanes. One War is no criterion of 

 the next — or another. It is nature, or flesh and blood, that 

 forms the prime factor of War ; all else are appliances whereby 

 it can be most successfully waged. Man is the element, the 

 animal is his co-ef&cient, and armament is his determinator. It 

 is certain that War will never be conducted without animals, 

 both from the essential and the economic aspects of it. It is the 

 same now as it was 2500 years ago, and there is little reason to 

 suppose that the future will disclose any material change 

 excepting in armaments, and until, through the latter, War is 

 made altogether impossible. We will therefore continue to 

 discuss our co-efficient — or our business partner in War. 



It is extraordinary how meagre history of war is in respect to 

 the part played by animals. Historians are more concerned 

 with tactical problems and the lessons to be derived therefrom 

 than to the actual pawns that are used in the game. For 

 instance, I have searched through many books to extract 

 information with regard to draught horses in War, but with 

 very poor success. The achievements of Cavalry are more fully 

 recorded, but mention is in general terms only as a rule, and 

 insufficient to point to special merit or otherwise of the animals 

 concerned. 



