British Army Tests Deployment of War Horses on the Battlefield
According to a report by Reference News on September 16, the British Royal Cavalry Guard was photographed testing horses draped in camouflage during its annual summer camp at the Longmoor training area in Hampshire, as reported by the UK Daily Telegraph on September 11.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that soldiers are experimenting with using these horses for covert movement across rugged terrain, in preparation for potential future military operations.
A spokesperson said, “Soldiers are exploring mounted reconnaissance, mobility in complex terrain, concealment, logistical support, and equine welfare, drawing lessons from allied nations that still use horses in combat environments.”
The UK Ministry of Defence also revealed that the United States still maintains an expeditionary cavalry unit and pack horse transport capabilities for deployment in harsh environments.
In 2001, just weeks after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, U.S. Special Forces rode into the battlefield in Afghanistan.
Twelve “Green Berets” from the U.S. 5th Special Forces Group Alpha 595 used these animals to traverse Afghanistan's rugged terrain and engage the Taliban. This unit later earned the nickname “Horse Soldiers,” becoming one of the few U.S. military units to fight mounted in combat after World War II. Their story also inspired the 2018 Hollywood film “12 Strong.”
Earlier this year, the British Army announced it would “bring back the war horse.”
The Army stated, “For centuries, war horses and soldiers have been inseparable. From ancient battlefields to the muddy trenches of World War I, cavalry charged into history together. Then came tanks, armored vehicles, and helicopters—war horses were left behind. But now, war horses may be making a comeback.”
The British Army indicated that their inspiration came from about 12 volunteers who formed their own cavalry unit within the Estonian Defence League.
A spokesperson for the Army said, “The idea of these Estonians is simple and bold: when heavy military vehicles get stuck in dense forests and marshlands, horses can go anywhere. They believe that in certain rugged terrains, horses perform better than armored vehicles.”
“The lessons from the battles in Ukraine and the Middle East are clear: modern warfare requires creativity and adaptability, and sometimes a return to basic combat means. If the terrain demands it, cavalry will be ready,” the spokesperson added. (Translated by Wang Qun)
The British Army tested camouflage horses for covert movement in rugged terrain at Longmoor training area in Hampshire on September 11, 2023. This initiative aims to explore the use of horses in military operations, drawing inspiration from allied experiences. The U.S. maintains an expeditionary cavalry unit for similar purposes, highlighting a potential shift in operational tactics.
- British Army is testing camouflage horses for military operations.
- Testing occurred at Longmoor training area in Hampshire.
- The initiative is inspired by experiences from allied nations using horses in combat.
- The U.S. retains an expeditionary cavalry unit for deployment in harsh environments.
- The British Army plans to reintroduce horses for operations in rugged terrain.