Army veterinary service in war / by Major-General Sir John Moore ; with a note by General Sir Charles Carmichael Monro.

  • Moore, John, Sir, 1864-1940
Date:
1921
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Army veterinary service in war / by Major-General Sir John Moore ; with a note by General Sir Charles Carmichael Monro. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The Tibet and Kashmir Pony Corps were put to great trials in long marches with minimum quantities of food (3 lb grain per day) and extremely severe weather, and a large number died (592 died and 211 destroyed) in the two Corps. It was reported that no careful selection could have been made in these Corps. The Tibet pony proper, as obtained in Central Tibet, was most useful, and the First Mounted Infantry, commanded by Captain Ottley, was almost entirely composed of these animals. Between 12-2 and 13-3 hands, big of bone for their size, not by any means handsome, and with an enormous coat of hair, they carried their 14 stones day after day over all sorts of ground in splendid style.” Somaliland Field Force 1903-04. An extraordinarily sound little animal, capable of travelling great distances on little food and no water. Adapts itself quickly to the requirements of the country. About equally hardy, though they suffer more from want of water that the Somali or Arab. Quite unable to stand hard trekking in Somali¬ land. China Expeditionary Force, 1900-01. “ The Mongolian pony is a hard, sturdy, short-legged animal, from 12-0 to 13-3. A fair number was bought or captured by the Force. They were found to be much more suitable for draught than pack,, their conformation ill-adapted to our pack equipment, and sore-backs resulted. They were also found difficult to keep in condition, and were reported as badly-mouthed, sulky, ill- tempered, and difficult to manage except by Chinese, who are used to them. The mares are much used for the breeding of mules, which, as I have previously remarked, are a much better and more suitable product for military purposes. Somali pony Arab South African \ English Argentine [Russian J Indian ] Chinese Abyssinian %j ’