Over padding a saddle

[Paul L Muller]

For Christmas my wife got for me a shelter half to carry on my saddle. To carry it I either have to give up my horses ration bag or my sleeping blanket. I heard somewhere that I should put my sleeping blanket under my saddle on top of my saddle blanket. My saddle tree is a modern type with the wider bars, so is there any problem with the extra padding under the saddle? Is there a better way to do my saddle packing ? plm

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Over padding a saddle

Paul, I've placed my bed blanket over my saddleblanket for years with no ill effects. Okay so I smell a tad bit more like a horse... It's allowed me to carry a small cantle roll (grain etc) and my great coat on my pommel. I just remember to alternate the folds so there is always a dry side next to the horse and he's been fine. Most of the authentic period issue blankets are relatively thin, so even doubling them doesn't make them overly thick. Best of luck. Z

[Hank Trent]

Re: Over padding a saddle

Paul, I've placed my bed blanket over my saddleblanket for years with no ill effects.

This ^

Been quite a few years since I rode at reenactments, but that's what I always did, and it worked well. It's widely mentioned in the period both for civilian travelers and soldiers. Earlier in the century: "We slept, and sweetly too, o'er nights, with our saddles for pillows, resting upon the under saddle-blanket, with no other cover than the upper saddle-blanket, save the starry heavens..." Source.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: Over padding a saddle

Hank, You have given me more interesting reading by sourcing your quotes... I've three or four books bookmarked just from different threads you've posted in... Thank you very much. Zack

[Outrider]

Re: Over padding a saddle

Yep thats the same way I have always done it too. Works well for me.

[Tom Craig]

Re: Over padding a saddle

Just a thought. Putting your personal blanket under your saddle is both good for your animal, and good for your impression. My question is, why do you feel the need to choose between the shelter half and the ration bag etc? Certainly on a campaign less is always more, and is more authentic, but they were issued all of the above. If your shelter half is made with the proper materials etc, it should be about as light as a sheet, and easy to carry with your other gear.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[forrestcav]

Re: Over padding a saddle

how about you put your shelter half under your saddle on top of your saddle blanket. Then roll your slaaping blanket inside your gum blanket and finally throw your ration bag in your feed bag and either sling it accross the end of your bad roll or hang it from you saddle pommel. I think even carry a saddle blanket unless it looks like rain or the weather is cool. I just bed roll it.

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Over padding a saddle

delete moved to the other post .

[Mark Choate]

Re: Over padding a saddle

Teddy Bear???????

Leave the teddy bear?? You have crossed the line now, Jerry.

Mark

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Over padding a saddle

Mark ,
Sorry, I moved the teddy bear thing.

[forrestcav]

Re: Over padding a saddle

Mark,
Don't be picking on Jerry and his teddy bear.

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Over padding a saddle

Careful Mark....He may bring the teddy bear to C.O.I and "forget" about that awsome meal he cooked last year!!!

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Over padding a saddle

My advice - lose the shelter half - sorry, but you don't need it.

[Paul L Muller]

Re: Over padding a saddle

Thanks Guys; that gives me something to think about. This post set a long time with no response, you'al must be snowed in today too. I thought that at Twin Rivers I pared down a lot , but I will have to re rethink it all again. I do like the "no feed bag " thing, Rose and I could both do with less rations plm

[Ronnie Tucker]

Re: Over padding a saddle

any use of modern pads is needless. you can buy good wool blankets for a reasonable price.cost should not be a factor.i have used two blankets for 15 years. next to the horse is a federal cavalry blanket on that is asleeping blanket. i am cold natured so i carry another blanket rolled in a gum blanket straped to the cantle.iuse this arrangement when i ride at home or when i go away for trail riding. those of you who know me can swear to the fact that i cover more ground before noon than all weekend on most of our dog and pony shows.two blankets work good for the horse and you. ronnie tucker 7th tn