Walers were the type of horse used by light horsemen in the campaign
in the Middle East during the First World War. The light horse combined
the mobility of cavalry with the fighting skills of infantry. They
fought dismounted, with rifles and bayonets.
in the Middle East during the First World War. The light horse combined
the mobility of cavalry with the fighting skills of infantry. They
fought dismounted, with rifles and bayonets.
The horses were called Walers because, although they came from all
parts of Australia, they were originally sold through New South Wales.
They were sturdy, hardy horses, able to travel long distances in hot
weather with little water.
parts of Australia, they were originally sold through New South Wales.
They were sturdy, hardy horses, able to travel long distances in hot
weather with little water.
Horses usually need to drink about 30 litres of water a day. However,
during the campaign they often went for up to 60 hours without water,
while carrying a load of almost 130 kilograms, comprising rider, saddle,
equipment, food, and water.
during the campaign they often went for up to 60 hours without water,
while carrying a load of almost 130 kilograms, comprising rider, saddle,
equipment, food, and water.
At the end of the First World War Australians had 13,000 surplus
horses which could not be returned home for quarantine reasons. Of
these, 11,000 were sold, the majority as remounts for the British Army
in India (as was the case with this horse) and two thousand were cast
for age or infirmity.
horses which could not be returned home for quarantine reasons. Of
these, 11,000 were sold, the majority as remounts for the British Army
in India (as was the case with this horse) and two thousand were cast
for age or infirmity.
 |
| The only horse to return from the First World War was a horse called Sandy. |
To re-watch the ABC documentary which aired on Sunday April 19th titled: Australia’s Great War Horse, please click here.