In 1997, archaeological excavations in Braine unearthed horse skeletons. Used during World War I for both the cavalry and military transport (artillery, supplies, transport of wounded soldiers, etc.), these horses were also victims of the combats held. The small size of the three horses found in Braine seems to prove that they were riding horses. Scientists have determined that these animals were unshod before burial. Lacking iron, the army often took shoes from horse cadavers to be reused for live animals.