THE END OF AN ERA

The accumulated skills and knowledge of hundreds of years of military horse management were soon to be made redundant. To the very last the cavalry, despite the lessons of recent war, believed that the horse was more than just an aid to mobility. It was also, they considered, a platform from which to fight, and they argued with passion the need for its retention in the service. Despite a powerful pro-cavalry lobby the order was given to dismount all the Regular cavalry except for a few regiments stationed abroad.

The age of the British soldier on horseback in any but a ceremonial role was at an end.