ON THE WARFIELD

The horse was also part of the wars. With the discovery of the wheel, the first horse-drawn war chariots began to appear. The ancient Scythians and Persians, for example, were considered to be renowned warriors on horseback.

Closely linked to medieval warfare were the knights who formed the core of the ruler's army. In order to increase the performance and maintain the combat readiness of the knight's cavalry in times of peace, the knight had to constantly train himself and his horse. Riding schools and jousting tournaments were used to test the quality of these exercises. They were tough tests of performance for both the knight and his horse. A properly prepared horse had to be maneuverable, fast and strong to carry the heavy armour of a knight. Throughout the history of warfare, from antiquity to the 19th century, the horse was mainly associated with the needs of cavalry (cuirassier, dragoon, hussar, etc.). However, it also played an important role in supply and transport. Soldiers were accompanied by marqueteros, i.e. civilians who supplied them with food and drink for a fee. The marquitaine had to have his own horse and cart, so he was able to adapt to the needs of the troops and their frequent movements.

It wasn't until First World War and Second World War that all the proponents of classical mounted combat saw a change. The new military technology not only hurt and killed horses, it began to push them off the battlefield with certainty. World War I involved millions of horses. They not only served with cavalry regiments, but supplied troops with food, medical supplies, spare equipment, weapons, ammunition and other military material. Horse-drawn field ambulances and wagons for the wounded, field kitchens, telegraph and mail wagons, mobile printing stations and other equipment were also used. The purchase of horses from the civilian population for wartime use was common during World War I. All horse and wagon owners had to offer their horses and wagons, and the army chose the best ones. The wagons had to be equipped with at least a lantern, a watering can, forage supplies, etc. The horses were to be supplied with a bridle, a halter with a rope, several horseshoes and cogs. It is estimated that as many as 2 million horses perished during First World War. Only a minority of horse and beast of burden deaths were direct combat injuries. Most of the losses were due to starvation, exhaustion and body failure, disease and injury caused by improper sanitation, overheating or cold, or being stuck in mud. After Second World War, the horse finally cleared the battlefield. Its role returned to the agricultural and breeding spheres, and later its use for sport or leisure predominated.