"“Every Man His Own Horse Doctor”" Topic

"During the Civil War, the United States Army discovered the importance of veterinary medicine by trial and error. It's a history of ethics and economics, of sacrifice and of stupidity.

Before the Civil War, any organized veterinary corps in the United States was at best an experiment, often a whim. Let's start at the very beginning: the American Revolution. On December 16th, 1776: General George Washington issued an order, ruling that a farrier (an expert in good animal care) be included in the roster for each new regiment. Each farrier had practical knowledge about the treatment of horses and was responsible for medical care required by cavalry horses. These farriers were the first veterinarians in the U.S. Army.

Until the Civil War, there was only one veterinarian who served in the United States military who had a post-secondary degree in Veterinary Science—and he served in the Revolutionary War. That means that during the Northwest Indian War, the War of 1812, the Second Seminole War, and the Mexican-American War, there wasn't a single degree-holding veterinarian in the Army, Navy, or the Marines to treat horses, mules, and other animals essential to army operation. During this time period, it is unclear how many, if any, soldiers were dedicated to caring for military animals. For example, although 1830s Army regulations called for "veterinary surgeons" and a "Veterinary Department of the Cavalry," there's no evidence any such persons existed. Most reports instead show commanders contracting with private veterinarians to treat their horses…"

Main page

civilwarmed.org/animal

Armand

Great read; well written.

After I read a book on the care of horses, I definitely decided I'd never want one. Their hooves get wet, they die. They eat the wrong grass, they die. Give birth wrong, they die (there was a whole section on that.) It's a wonder they aren't extinct, because if any little thing goes wrong, they die (at least that's what I took away from this book.) But God bless any of you that take care of horses, because I'd never be able to do it… ;-)

Amen Zephyr.

Glad you like it…

I have horses… love them and yes… they need care a lot…

Armand