Page 417 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
lesson packs for use in training unit Pack handlers.105 Periodically practice delivering these courses.
j. Integration into the wider logistic system, which would logically be part of the Capability Directorate Combat Support Services (CDCSS), and Capability Directorate Combat outputs. Issues such as lift for horses and forage would need to be planned for.
Recommended Action Pack Transport needs to be more than a capability on paper. The Army needs to use the current doctrine as a foundation and create a seed-corn capability that can be quickly grown if necessary. Also, the Army needs to train the capability so that it can be taken from a seed-corn to full operating capability. In short, the Army needs to turn the doctrine into reality and invest in this capability. A small Pack Transport Cadre is the most logical and cost-effective way to do this.
The author had a life-long interest in military horses and animal transport. He completed the Animal Transport Familiarisation Course at Melton Mowbray as a TA Officer in 1999. After which, he trained the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC) Mounted Skill at Arms team for several years. A qualified Summer Mountain Leader, the author regularly instructed on mountain- eering training in the UK for TA soldiers. In 2014 he completed both the Sea to the Somme and War Horse Ride, both commemorative rides along the Western Front and participated in the RLC Horse in War display in 2015, showcasing wheeled, pack and mounted transport used by the Army Service Corps during the First World War.
At the time of writing in 2021:
Even in these modern times much thought and research continues into how it may be possible to reduce the burden on any dismounted soldier, particularly when crossing adverse terrain, whether it’s in woods, close country environments in the tropics or mountain ranges, where vehicles cannot operate. Pack Transport can provide the solution and that doesn’t always need to be a mule but locally procured horses, ponies, camels and the like that can haul the load for the soldier. The ability to carry over 75kgs over 25 miles per day can ease the burden to a great degree.
The Pack Transport capability was reinvigorated by the DATR in 2019, in the form of 14-day bespoke courses. The instructors are RAVC Reserves with an in-depth knowledge of equines. Personnel are taught how to care for the chosen animals, including all aspects of stable management,
105 DATR currently have a Pack Course on file with relevant documentation.
feeding grooming and veterinary aspects as well how to correctly load and handle the laden MWA. The latter part of the course is conducted in a field environment in a tactical manner if necessary.
A personal account of time spent on the course (September to October 2020) was recorded by Pte Chloe Fields in the winter issue of that year’s Chiron Calling:
Defence Animal Training Regiment Pack Transpor- tation Handler
During my first week working at the Defence Animal Regiment (DATR) as a Veterinary Technician I was asked by my OC if I wanted to assist with a Pack Pony course. At this point I had no idea what a Pack Pony was let alone what their role entailed. I was tasked to report at Equine Training Squadron the next day where I was met by Warrant Officer Class 2 Dale Woolman-Lane MBE RAVC, Sergeant Dan Baron RAVC and three Ponies – Pandora, Sid, and Ada.
I was asked if I wanted to assist the course because of my equine background as my gran introduced me into the sport at a young age. When I first set eyes on the tack that was used for the Pack Ponies, I immediately realised that my previous riding skills would not be of use here! The bridle was now a head collar with a detachable bit and the Pack saddle had three extra straps, including cruppers and a breeching that dates back to the 1940’s and a girth that was placed in the middle.
Previous Pack Transportation courses ran at the DAC back in 2008. It was identified that if there was no helicopter/vehicle support on mountainous terrain that the troops would have to man pack all kit and equipment around the areas. If there were local animals available, and they fitted the requirement, troops could use them to carry their kit and equipment.
The first trial course ran in 2019 consisting of three personnel. Following this the Pack Ponies supported troops on an exercise in Warminster.
I had two weeks to learn the tack and the ponies’ personalities. “Sid” (15 hands) is chilled out and bomb proof but will take advantage and try and eat grass constantly if the handler allows. “Pandora” (15.2 hands) is spookier, a lot more observant, but when she knows she’s working, she’s a star. “Ada” (13 hands) was relatively new, only arriving at the DATR three weeks earlier, two of them spent in isolation. She could be cheeky and always thrives on attention. Ada settled in well and always delivers when climbing steep hills rarely putting a foot wrong.
On the first course, I was slightly nervous. How were a group of Royal Marines of all ranks going to listen to a Private who hasn’t even been part of the Army for a year? But once I reminded myself that my job there
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