[Shannon]

That tan animal needs food and needs it now. Shouldn't be able to count the ribs. This is disturbing to see. If they're using these animals they need to feed them also.

[Joe 6-pack]

"This is disturbing to see. If they're using these animals they need to feed them also."

I would surmise that tan animule came to the Marine Corps in far worse condition. I'd be willing to bet that, not unlike the Gitmo detainees, these equines are getting the best food and medical care they've ever received in their lives.

[CarrotAndStick]

The Indian Army uses animals extensively in Kashmir. They are extremely useful, because quite often, the terrain is too bad for terrestrial vehicles.

High altitudes and deep, rough landscapes in Kashmir allow the use of only high altitude endurance helicopters for the heavy guns and donkey trains for the supplies.

Afghanistan being in the same Himalayan neighbourhood, I suppose they've found them useful there too.

[NormsRevenge]

They are being fed.

An Afghan villager carries leaves to feed animals in Kandagal village, Kunar province, eastern Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005. Hundreds of American Marines and Afghan special forces Sat. Aug. 13, 2005 trekked from the base in Kandagal far into remote Afghan mountains to retake a valley controlled by militants suspected of ambushing a team of U.S. commandos and shooting down a special forces helicopter.(AP Photo/Tomas Munita)