Horses have been a part of the military since the days of the Roman Empire. Whether on the battlefield or in support of logistics and scouting, horses have been an integral part of the military for centuries. The United States Army was no exception, fielding cavalry units from the Revolutionary War to the end of World War II. But what happened to the horses of the US Cavalry after the war?
In this article, we’ll look at the history of the US Cavalry horses and what happened to them when the war was over. We’ll discuss the various ways in which the horses were used by the cavalry, as well as the various programs that were in place to find new homes for the horses when their service was no longer required.
History of the US Cavalry Horses
The US Cavalry was established in 1792 as part of the United States Army. During the 19th century, the cavalry primarily served as scouts and raiders during the Indian Wars, as well as in the Mexican-American War and the US Civil War. During the 20th century, the cavalry was instrumental in the Spanish-American War and both World Wars.
The US Cavalry was primarily composed of mounted troops and their accompanying horses. The exact number of horses used by the US Cavalry varies depending on the time period, but in World War I, for example, there were an estimated one million horses in service.
Uses of US Cavalry Horses
The US Cavalry horses were used for a variety of different tasks. In addition to scouting, raiding, and reconnaissance, the horses were used to transport supplies, haul artillery, and carry out ambushes. The horses were also trained to perform combat maneuvers such as charging, which could be used to break enemy lines or capture prisoners.
The horses were also used to draw wagons and ambulances, and some cavalry units even used horses to pull machine guns. In addition, the US Cavalry also used horses to provide transportation for officers and messengers.
Disposal of US Cavalry Horses
At the end of World War II, the US Cavalry was disbanded and its horses were no longer needed. As a result, the US Army was faced with the problem of what to do with the horses. The Army was unable to keep the horses and had to find new homes for them.
Fortunately, the Army had a number of programs in place to find new homes for the horses. The most popular program was the Remount Service, which was established in 1942 to find new homes for horses that were no longer needed by the military.
The Remount Service
The Remount Service was tasked with finding new homes for the horses that were no longer needed by the military. The service worked with horse breeders, farmers, and horse fanciers to find new homes for the horses. The horses were either sold, given away, or donated to charitable organizations.
The Remount Service also had a number of other activities, such as helping farmers to breed horses for work, as well as helping to promote the use of horses in industry and transportation. In addition, the service also worked to improve the quality of horses in the US, by promoting the use of better breeding practices and selecting horses with good conformation and temperament.
The US Army Mule Service
In addition to the Remount Service, the US Army also had a Mule Service, which was responsible for finding new homes for mules that were no longer needed by the Army. The Mule Service was similar to the Remount Service, but was specifically focused on finding new homes for mules.
The Mule Service was established in 1941 and was responsible for finding new homes for mules that had been retired from military service. The Mule Service worked with farmers, horse breeders, and mule fanciers to find new homes for the mules.
The Canadian Remount Scheme
The Canadian Remount Scheme was another program that was designed to find new homes for former US Cavalry horses. The program was established in 1944 and was part of a joint effort between the United States and Canada. Under the program, retired US Cavalry horses were sent to Canada, where they were auctioned off to farmers, horse breeders, and horse fanciers.
The program was successful in finding new homes for thousands of retired US Cavalry horses. The program also helped to improve the quality of horses in Canada, as many of the horses brought in under the program were high-quality animals.
The Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was established in 1933 as part of the New Deal. The program was designed to provide jobs to unemployed Americans during the Great Depression. Part of the program involved the use of horses to help with conservation efforts.
The Civilian Conservation Corps used horses to help with a variety of tasks, such as clearing trails, building fences, and carrying supplies. The horses that were used by the program were mostly retired cavalry horses, which had been donated by the US Army.
The US Calvary Horse Memorial
The US Calvary Horse Memorial is a monument that was erected in Washington, DC in 1955. The monument is dedicated to the horses of the US Cavalry and is intended to honor their service and sacrifice. The monument features a bronze statue of a US Cavalry horse and is inscribed with the words “To the enduring memory of the horses of the United States Calvary.”
Conclusion
The US Cavalry horses played an important role in the history of the United States. From the Revolutionary War to World War II, the horses of the US Cavalry were essential for scouting, raiding, and transport. When the war was over, the US Army had to find new homes for the horses, and a number of programs were put in place to do so. Thanks to these programs, thousands of retired US Cavalry horses were able to find new homes and continue to serve in various capacities. The US Calvary Horse Memorial in Washington, DC is a testament to the service and sacrifice of these horses.