Horses and their Carers

The New Zealand Military Horses and their Carers

With horses come a range of humans. There are those who care for them, those who ride or drive them and those who look after them when they are sick or injured. In the latter group are veterinary surgeons/veterinarians and in the New Zealand (NZ) contingent in World War One these people made up the New Zealand Veterinary Corps.

The Corps was formed in 1907 with a nucleus of veterinarians as officers. On the outbreak of war the Corps was expanded to include experts in the purchase of suitable horses and staff to care for them. Horses were purchased throughout the country.

Records show that 5097 remount horses were purchased for an average price of £17-1-10 ($34.11) and 4250 artillery horses for an average price of £24-10-00 ($49).

9988 horse were transported from New Zealand. Losses were not great (only 2% in the main shipment). This is a reflection of the care and devotion of the men looking after these animals during transport. Farriers, dressers and veterinarians were part of every mounted squadron. Veterinary hospitals were established both in New Zealand and wherever horses were used as part of the Army.

Disorders and disease problems

(in alphabetical order)

encountered during the various

campaigns included:

Acute poisoning
Anthrax
Colic
Dehydration and heat stress
Diarrhoea
Equine influenza
Flies
Injuries
Mange
Mud fever
Nail prick
Ringworm
Strangles

Unknown picture, source: brucemctague.com

The NZ Veterinary Corps became part of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in Europe. This proved very successful with good co-operation on both sides.

The NZ soldiers took great pride in the appearance and health of their horses. Shows and races were staged when time and circumstance permitted. NZ horses performed well in these. All of this supports the strong bond which existed between the men and their horses, making the final outcome in most cases doubly sad.

The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) is very aware of the work done by veterinarians and others in caring for these horses, also the mules, donkeys and camels used by the Army in various campaigns. It is sponsoring an historical review of the role of these animals and their human carers of all types in World War One. This will eventually become part of the New Zealand’s official history of this war as well as part of our Association’s heritage. The Association is also very aware that many of the veterinarians who served in this war continued their veterinary work in NZ after the war and founded the NZVA in 1923.

This short article was prepared by Bob Gumbrell of Loburn, a retired veterinarian living in Loburn and a long term member of the NZVA. The source of information was The War Effort of New Zealand, published by Whitcombe and Tombs in 1923.

Driver Alfred Henn's horse, Nelson, had only one eye.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk