British Cavalry Power

In terms of horseflesh & horse-care British cavalry were probably among the best in the world. It was "only" in tactical handling that it was poor, although given a commander like Le Marchant they could be devastatingly effective.
I’ve read that the French cavalry from the Napoleonic era through World War 1 has a reputation for apalling horse-care and absolutely burned through their horses. Supposedly in Palestine the smell of the saddle sores was so bad that the French cavalry could be smelt from miles away. I’ve also read that British 19th century cavalry stables afforded the horses more space and more air than was normal in continental militaries. However, I read all this in a book on Roman cavalry so perhaps take it with a grain of salt.
 
An equine disease would surely affect all horses? The impact would be upon the artillery and the transport train rather than the cavalry. Maybe cavalry would have less horses suited to their wild charges but they can carry out their other (and arguably more important) duties on smaller horses but guns need strong horses. Oxen would be a more robust alternative to horses for artillery but, whilst more certain, are slow. One might look to India though where the bullock cary determined the speed of a major all arms force. This left their cavalry free to roam about and return to the slow main train.

In the South African War it seems to have been a cynical decision that it was logistically easier to replace horses than to keep mobile mounted infantry supplied with enough fodder. It was one of the claimed virtues of bicycle mounted infantry that they were equally as fast as horse mounted infantry but needed no fodder and troops were spared caring for horses so were better rested despite the pedalling.
 
The Boer War does seem to have been an exception with losses described as unprecedented. This seems to be down to a number of factors including poor handling by inexperienced mounted troops, lack of local forage, little acclimattisation after sea voyages & poor staff work. Most of which should have been avoidable as the British had experience with South African conditions for years beforehand.
Also I would have to imagine modern weapons being much more deadly and effective than in decades past
 
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