Red Army Horses (1941-1945) by Timur Muminov [Тимур Муминов] (13.8.2019) 

The time of severe trials proved the expediency of organizing a special fund of selected horse stock. In total, about three million horses came from the national economy to the front. Even more of them would be needed if, thanks to a well-organized military Veterinary Service, the vast majority of slightly wounded and sick animals did not return to Service – but were returned to the Home-Front to continue their vital patriotic services. However, more than a million uncomplaining Soviet War-Horse died in the anti-fascist war! Already, by 1942, the USSR was short of horses – with the shortfall being met by purchases from its allies in Mongolia!