Unsung Equine Heroes: An Analysis of Equine Care and Management During the Great War

This thesis explores the use of equines by the British Expeditionary Forces throughout the First World War, particularly examining various aspects of war equine care and management. It addresses the significance behind the use of these animals in the war before delving into the reality of how equines were cared for in terms of farrier work, skin care and management, feeding and watering, as well as psychological understandings of horses, donkeys, and mules. Through the implementation of various primary and secondary source materials, this thesis considers care mistakes that were made and the corrections that were enforced to alleviate injury and illness resulting from these errors in judgement. It further analyzes the reality behind emphasis placed on such shifts, arguing that changes were primarily prioritized not because equines were living beings that deserved as much but because they were so vital to the war effort.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Western Ontario

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Kuiack, Emma E.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jonathan F. Vance

• First World War
• Animal History
• War Equines
• Veterinary
• Transportation
• Military

Language dc:language.iso

en_ca

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/32395

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/32395