I have always been infatuated with horses ever since I was a little girl. The world of the working horse was first introduced to me through my grandfather. He relied upon them heavily to earn a living through ploughing fields and dragging cut downs trees off the snow-covered mountains in the North of Sweden. 

Equines such as these in 1914 were taken from their homes and used in the war effort against Germany during WW1. These animals had to adapt quickly from their simple lives to battlefield conditions. It has been estimated that 8 million equines died during the war. For the small percentage who survived were then sold onto be slaughtered for their meat to feed the starving population of France and other countries. 

On the 15th September 2018, I will be taking part in the Pursuit to Mons. This is a 9-day long event that has been organised by the International Cavalry Association, where teams from all over the globe will be riding to commemorate the last cavalry offensive of 1918, and the end of WW1. Teams will be covering 15-20km a day at cavalry pace in full WW1 kit. I am riding under the Army Service Corps cap-badge. Men of this corps could not have fulfilled their duties without the help of horsepower.  

I would like to thank those who lost their lives by raising money for Brooke so that they can continue their vital work in aiding equines in developing countries today. One thing I learnt from my grandfather was that these magnificent beasts should be treated with respect and gratitude for the unrewarding work they do for us.