At the outbreak of World War One horses were used as cavalry, but because of trenches, barbed wire and machine guns they were used for pulling guns, carrying ammunition and transport. Over 8 million horses died on all sides. British horses that survived the war were sold off as cheap meat to Belgium butchers.


Shrill neighing of horses
Screams out terror on the battlefield
Harnessed to the big gun
Eyes wide with fright
Whipped on through dragging mud.

Proud animals with spirits broken
Treated as beasts of burden
Moving ammunition, guns and shells
Used abused without compassion
Supplying the trenches of hell.

There was no respite or mercy
Slaughtered by enemy fire
Dreaming of lush green fields of home
Cantering free and joyful
Without terror of Man's war.

Colin Ian Jeffery

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/war-horses-2/