The real story of War Horse

As we respectfully reflect on the sacrifice of millions touched by war, international animal charity SPANA has called for us all to remember the ‘forgotten victims’ – the many millions of animals that lost their lives in The Great War and have continued to be killed in conflicts around the world in the one hundred years since.

Used by all sides in the First World War, around 16 million animals were put into service, including one million mules and horses employed by Britain alone.

These animals faced horrendous conditions as they transported ammunition, messages, food and supplies.

They hauled guns and pulled ambulances, while cavalry horses led the charge at terrible cost against devastating machine gun fire.

Even as military forces have increasingly mechanised, animals have continued to serve in great numbers.

In the Second World War, Britain had 200,000 animals in service, while the German Army lost over 179,000 horses on the Eastern Front alone in just two months.