The first evidence of the use of horses during warfare dates from Eurasia between to 4,000-3,000 BC—that is, more than 5,000 years ago. Since that time, the usage of horses in war increased as tactics and technologies improved, such as the invention of saddles, stirrups, and yokes.
In the history of war, many horses have become famous thanks to their great owners or military units. Horses witnessed and participated in many battles, carrying their owners to their successes or failures. We will feature 10 of the most famous.
1. Sergeant Reckless
Sergeant Reckless is a Mongolian mare that participated in the Korean War. She was purchased by the United States Marine Corps in 1952 and was used to transport supplies and evacuate soldiers during hostilities. The mare was injured twice, but despite this, she continued to carry loads and people.
Reckless received her nickname for her fearless nature. In addition, she was a very smart horse who soon became a favorite of the unit in which she served. Soon she turned out to have another valuable quality—she was omnivorous and would consume scrambled eggs and beer.
In 1953, during the battle for Outpost Vegas, the fearless horse conducted 51 solo rides in one day. In 1954, Reckless was given the rank of sergeant and was subsequently retired. Having lived an interesting and productive life, she died in 1968.
Ruslan Budnik
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