134 ANIMALS USED IN WAR. 



achievements of the Cavah-y arm in Palestine would certainly 

 indicate that they had proved their merit and value up to the 

 hilt. For instance, the 10th Cavalry Brigade of the 4th Indian 

 Cavalry Division in Palestine accomplished a distance of 70 

 miles from Selmeh orange groves to Beisan in 35 hours, 

 including halts and delays. The horses of despatch riders, of 

 patrols and of many of&cers covered even 80 miles on that 

 occasion. The total casualties evacuated to the Mobile 

 Veterinary Section at the end of the period was only 15, and 

 this after a month in the Jordan Valley and night marches 

 aggregating 65 miles to the point of concentration. It is a 

 performance which leaves no doubt as to the merit and fitness 



ofaanimals. 



It is very imporrant, in view of horse-breeding operations in 

 India, that a more precise account of the better class of 

 country-breds on the strength of British Cavalry regiments in 

 war should be furnished, and a relative comparison drawn 

 between them and those imported from Australia. No doubt 

 in course of time this will be done. It is not definitely known 

 how many actually participated in War, but the following table 

 shows the number present with British units immediately prior 

 to departure overseas :- 



Since my return to India I have seen a good many Infantry 

 officers' country-bred chargers, 14-1 to 14-3, both at the Front 

 in Frontier Expeditions, and amongst those proceeding overseas 

 to Mesopotamia as remounts, and without question they are of 

 real merit. 



