Horse Soldier

[1sgtscot]

Just read Horse Soldier by Doug Stanton. Great read about Americas 1st actual horse cavalry battles in the 21st century. The book describes American Special Forces working in Afganistan against the Taliban. They were riding into battle on horseback. On page 182, the book indicates 'He was carrying 300 rounds of .556 ammo, his M-4 rifle fitted with a nightscope, four grenades, a 9mm pistol, an extra clip for the pistol, a team radio and 5 pounds of extra batteries, a satellite radio, three MREs in their beige vinyl pouches, a pack of six extra MREs stuffed in his pack for emergency, an extra pair of white cotton socks, and a sleeping bag'.

I've read about the regulations (225 lbs the horse should carry) and the list of equipment a trooper would be issued, but does anyone have any first or second person accounts of what they actually carried? How does this compare to the Special Forces troopers in Afganistan?

Sgt Scott

[csabugler]

Re: Horse Soldier

damn that's cool. Modern cav! And armed to the teeth.
as far as your question

I've read about the regulations (225 lbs the horse should carry) and the list of equipment a trooper would be issued, but does anyone have any first or second person accounts of what they actually carried? How does this compare to the Special Forces troopers in Afganistan

I presume the "They" you refer to is ACW cav? There's regs all over the place for federal issue, conferderate is less formal, but actual practice is going to be specific to the time , place , and situation. Early war/ late war, east/west, north/south. Certain commands and/or units were equipped one certain way, etc. In general the western confederate was probably without a pistol, but there are refernces to specific "saber companies" used in a reserve or other role. If you search this forum you'll probably find hours of reading on that topic.

Just my opinion, I'm sure someone will disagree...

[2nd Lt. Samuel Teague]

Re: Horse Soldier

I am also currently reading this book. It caught my eye at Target, so I picked it up and was instantly intrigued. A very close friend of mine died in Afghanistan two winters ago doing exactly what the book described. Unfortunately, the time that the book is set in is before he joined the military or became a green beret, so he wont be mentioned. The writing is not of the best quality (either the editors failure to catch misused words, etc. or just the authors lack of writing flair), but the book is very informative about the special forces operations in Afghanistan post 9-11. I would recommend this book purely for the information contained in it. Also, it is a pretty quick read (only 300 pages or less), so enjoy!

~Matt Wood

[GBaylor]

Re: Horse Soldier

Haven't read the book in question, but know someone who helped train the SF guys in the Autumn of '01 on how to pack saddles and take care of horses.

The only source I know of pertaining to SOP for Civil War era saddle packing, etc., is "Congdon's Compendium". It was published late in the war by the commander of the 17th PA Cavalry as an SOP for Cavalry. I think it states as the ideal load for a horse was 200 lbs (rider and equipment).

John Sweeney
Valley Light Horse

[littleforkranger]

Re: Horse Soldier

I too have just finished this book and would recommend it to all. Stanton does a great job describing many scenes with Berets riding the smaller Afghan horses. I noticed the saddles were all made of goat skin stretched over wooden (type not specified) and had non-adjustable stirrups. Imagine those "big" Americans packed down with all that gear, their legs hunched up like jockeys riding through steep chasms and gorges with huge drop-offs, often at a fast gait. Most all the fellows had never ridden a horse before, either. The Afghans ride their horses and mules until they drop and then beat them until they are pulled to their feet and forced to continue. Often they are then goaded into massive charges against entrenched taliban firing all sorts of heavy stuff, their riders furiously spraying their AKs. Mines are a constant worry. No sense in trying to find guidelines on how these Green Berets packed their equipment as they muddled through it with help from the Afghans. Quite the Soldiers...

[Fenianboy]

Re: Horse Soldier

I got it for one of my Father's Day gifts and could't put it down. Imagine the pain for these tall American's with the non adjustable stirrups that had them riding like jockeys! More than one recounts bleeding saddle sores and another a herniated disc in his back.What really got to me is that this all happened eight years ago.