Warhorse. Kidron was ridden by General John J. Pershing in some of his early military campaigns but became famous during World War I when used mainly as a ceremonial animal. During this war, new weapons of war proved devastating to cavalrymen and their mounts. The battle fields were demarcated by impenetrable barbed wire. Machine guns massacred man and horse alike with little or no direct contact with their enemies. The horse's utility in battle was over. The death of millions of animals in the war drastically reduced the world's equine. Kidron caught the attention of Americans from photographs showing the General astride the animal, first in a victory parade on the Champs in Paris and then a triumphal parade through the Victory Arch in New York City at the conclusion of the war. The horse died at Front Royal Virgina after being retired to this major horse depot. Upon Kidron's death, the Quartermaster at the post wanted to have the horse mounted. However, because of his age, thirty six at the time of his death and the body had decomposed rapidly due to hot weather,taxidermists were unable to mount the skin. The remains were then buried in the Front Royal Horse Cemetery. Several years later, the skull and some bones were disinterred and given to the National Museum of Natural History. They were articulated and are now displayed in the House of Mammals.
Warhorse. Kidron was ridden by General John J. Pershing in some of his early military campaigns but became famous during World War I when used mainly as a ceremonial animal. During this war, new weapons of war proved devastating to cavalrymen and their mounts. The battle fields were demarcated by impenetrable barbed wire. Machine guns massacred man and horse alike with little or no direct contact with their enemies. The horse's utility in battle was over. The death of millions of animals in the war drastically reduced the world's equine. Kidron caught the attention of Americans from photographs showing the General astride the animal, first in a victory parade on the Champs in Paris and then a triumphal parade through the Victory Arch in New York City at the conclusion of the war. The horse died at Front Royal Virgina after being retired to this major horse depot. Upon Kidron's death, the Quartermaster at the post wanted to have the horse mounted. However, because of his age, thirty six at the time of his death and the body had decomposed rapidly due to hot weather,taxidermists were unable to mount the skin. The remains were then buried in the Front Royal Horse Cemetery. Several years later, the skull and some bones were disinterred and given to the National Museum of Natural History. They were articulated and are now displayed in the House of Mammals.
Bio by: Donald Greyfield
Gravesite Details
Hall of Mammals
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