Best Mates

Description

Limited Edition Reproduction of 250 Only

While this Light Horseman has been standing and observing with keen eye the landscape before him, his horse seeking the comfort of his closeness and gentleness of his touch, has placed her head over his shoulder and been rewarded with his gentle caress and perhaps a few soft spoken words of affection. Thus in this strange and harsh land, full of danger and fear, they are both comforted by the companionship and closeness of each other.

For the duration of the time that Australian Light Horseman served during World War One, unless on leave or hospitalized they, of necessity spent most of that time with or in very close proximity to their horses, each depending entirely on the other. Much time had to be spent in the care of the horses in the desert; watering, feeding, grooming and exercising with training, marching and manoeuvres. When on the move or in action the Light Horsemen often slept on the ground at their horses feet, or sometimes when totally exhausted both horse and man would fall onto the ground and sleep together. A thus a great affection, pride and trust was built up between each man and his horse. “We love our horses” said trooper Ion Idriess.

“Constant grooming and exercising helped to keep the horses fit. There should be no mistake, in this war, in the management of horses, and the complete dependence of each horse on its owner for water, food, attention, strengthened the bond between man and horse… In the long months of desert fighting and this fighting in Palestine, there had come into being an interdependence of horse and rider quite beyond what Lord Methuen had meant when he said … ‘As regards the Colonial Corps, the rider and horse were one.’ The men had become superb horsemasters; the care of the horses was wonderful.” Elyne Mitchell

‘LIGHT HORSE The Story of Australia’s Mounted Troops” pages 34, 44, 49, 67″