Cavalry Saddles and Equipment

[Rockbridge]

Hello All,
I have a question regarding cavalry equipment. I can pretty much figure out the human side of things (belts, holster, carbine etc etc) But when it comes to the horse, I am lost. Being new to the Cav and horses in general, I have no idea what to buy. When I asked for a saddle, I thought it came with everything, WRONG.....I will wait for you to stop laughing before I go on.....caught your breath? Ok. So what else is there? Can someone please provide me with a list of the basics to outfit my horse? Also....possibly a brief description of what that item does (for example- "saddle-you sit on it, reins- controls the horse's movements etc.....I know I know, its VERY basic, but I am new and need it laid out for me, and the farby cav web sites for reenactors either dont explain things, or say things I know to be worng) We are going to the Southern side of things with this impression. Thanks in advance,

[VaTrooper]

Re: Cavalry Saddles and Equipment

I hate to be "that guy" but you should find a unit and then ask the NCOs what to get. I can tell you how great a Stuart Lillie saddle is and how to use everything only to have your NCO laugh at your SWEET $2000 saddle thinking you got took. Feel free to message me if this thread doesn't answer all your questions.

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Cavalry Saddles and Equipment

Hi Jeff,

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!! and WELCOME!!!!! Glad to have you!
Hmmmmm, the answer to your questions is a much larger task than it might appear. A listing of the basics is not too difficult to provide although even that is open to debate on several levels. And thus enumerating a "brief description of what that item does" is no easy task either but rather voluminous and not easily understood except through experiencing its usage. I might add sir, not to appear flippant but, as a matter of fact and proper discourse for this venue the above is also not the purpose of this forum. Still, dont get me wrong here, we want to help you and others coming into the hobby. So, please consider the following.

Mr Shifflet is right. What is needed by someone at your level is to join a good, authentic unit (Ahhh, another relativism. For this you need still more direction as the vast majority of most units are NOT authentic) that will assign you a veteran trooper to properly guide you. One can learn the right way from the beginning or....one can learn the wrong way and also spend alot of unnecessary money buying things you do not need or are terribly "farby" (and actually detract from the best experiences the hobby has to offer) and/or of poor quality. All "major" pitfalls that lead to mis-direction, discouragement and other problems.

I see that you are from California,....Regardless, I suggest you strongly consider attending the 7th Tennessee's Camp of Instruction in Franklin Tenn. in March 2011. There you will get training in all the basics of horse equipment and horsemanship, fundamentals of cavalry duties and life in general and, strong, crash courses in authentic cavalry accoutrements, clothing, weapons, campaign preparation, food, etc. This would be "the" place for you to go to learn.

Of course, I am making the assumption you have horses? Who are the "we" that "are going to the Southern side of things". I see that you have been a member since 2004. Have you been in the infantry?


Ken R Knopp

https://www.confederatesaddles.com

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Cavalry Saddles and Equipment

Good solid advice. However, I know it can be frustrating not to get the kind of answers you were looking for right off. I also know that finding a good unit, especially in the west, can be difficult, too. I don't know if it's still out there or not, but one resource I've found to be helpful for those who don't know anything is a video the 7th Michigan Cavalry on the West Coast, put together several years ago. It's about as basic as basic can get. It goes over every piece of Federal horse equipment, clothing, weapons, etc. It even explains how to roll a great coat and fold saddle blankets. Even better, it demonstrates saber drills and mounted drill and dismounted drill as well. Probably the absolute best resource available for someone who knows next to nothing. If the 7th Michigan even still exists is a mystery to me and I have no idea where a copy of the video can be had. I have an old VHS copy, but I don't want to part with it and have no way to reproduce it.

Another decent source is a copy of the U.S. Army cavalry training videos of WWII vintage. I have the complete set I got off ebay. It's all 20th century vintage, but it's geared toward recruits that know absolutely nothing about horses or horse equipment. They also cover the very basics of military horse equipment and how each item works. Another volume is excellent for balanaced riding and how those cavalrymen trained is still amazing to me. Well worth your money to find them on ebay or somewhere else.

[IowaYank]

Re: Cavalry Saddles and Equipment

I finally found a leather covered WWI McClellan saddle in pretty good shape. I was set............

I had skirts added to my saddle and still ride it although, by now, I could have paid 3 times as much to purchase a more accurate one. I purchased a correct looking bit for my horse and you know what, over the last 10 years, they have tarnished enough that I bet most folks don’t know they are not original (I know)..............

e. Pommel holster, may not be period correct, but I have read about them in the history books; ..................

p. Rope, snap on one end and eye on the other used with the picket pin; ..............

t. Canvas watering bag, this is a foldable canvas bucket, probably not issued; ...................

YIKES!!!!!! Are we on the AC here or Szabo's forum?? Pommel holsters, modern lead ropes with snaps, 1904 McClellans...............

[rbruno]

Re: Cavalry Saddles and Equipment

Ditto Dan.
Usually an open ended question like this brings a warning of a lock till it gets more refined. Either way, earlier advice to find a unit you like and let them guide you through the process is the best.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Cavalry Saddles and Equipment

Holy Cow! I'm with Dan on this one. I never thought I'd be one of those guys who came on here and spouted negative comments about someone else's impression or interpretation of authenticity, but this is a little too much for me to swallow. Which part of "Authentic" in Authentic Campaigner did I miss? I wasn't going to comment on this poster's comment because we all had to start somewhere and we all made mistakes in the beginning. But several things there there sent up a red flag... adding skirts to a saddle that is known to be completely and utterly wrong for the period and still riding it anyway. Using a modern bit just because it's tarnished. Using pommel holsters when the documentation has been presented to the contrary, even recently, on this very forum that pistols were NOT the norm in the cavalry, especially Tennessee cavalry.

[VaTrooper]

Re: Cavalry Saddles and Equipment

It's times like this when I love that little button in the lower left corner of every post. Too bad it's managed to be up for so long. If you give advice here please make it period correct. And if it's questionable be ready to back it up.


I'd rather be known as an a$$hole than a a$$clown- Me- Just now.

[Outrider]

Re: Cavalry Saddles and Equipment

Mr. Dunwoody, I am not on the AC much anymore but if I can help answer any specific questions you may have please feel free to shoot me a PM or better yet an email at paddymacster@gmail.com

You have already gotten some very sound advice from some very knowledgeable folks.

As for Mr.Kilbourne's post all I can say is ummm..... wow.....and I agree completely with all the subsequent comments. This is one reason I do not come here much anymore and I feel confident that many other of my fellow longtime "veterans" are of a like mind and that is all I have to say about that.

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Cavalry Saddles and Equipment

Gentlemen!! Great to see us "self-policing" here. Glad to see it. Sorry, we had very bad weather last night and my internet has been up and down all day but mostly down. I had hoped my post early this morning would "cut off at the pass" that which I knew was coming with the subject initiated by the thread starter here. Or at least, keep the discussion to something constructive for AC newbies.
Not to malign anyone nor discourage respectful discourse but the cavalry folks on this forum are held to a very high standard. Anyway, I think the points have been sufficiently made regarding the numerous problems with one of the posts above. Lets end this here. Thanks for participating.


Ken R Knopp
Moderator