Well it depends which account you believe jno. I do hope you are not basing your evidence on that of Lord Cardigan?!
Of the (currently agreed) 673 men and nags who trundled into the Valley of Death, around 500 of the horses were captured, killed or destroyed. Given the recorded events of the number of horses that were heaved overboard on the outward journey because of disease etc, then the number of gee-gee�s returning would be far fewer than would be believed, assuming they were not sold off, sent to another battle or just eaten out of desperation. It is merely speculation, but I wouldn�t believe anything that old �Cardy says.