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Tips and Tricks.....

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  • #1

    Tips and Tricks.....

    All right all,
    Since the COI folder has been a bit slow, lets liven it up for those who glance at it every day hoping for tidbits from the masters. Share your riding tips, saddling tips, anything that might be useful to know that someone fresh out of the recruit depot may not know. Field craft, weapons craft, packing equipment, the lot! I'll start off with a tip I learned on the fly. Pull your carbine out of that damn socket before you dismount. I'll let you picture the results of that little snafu....
    Mike Pearson
    Michael Pearson
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Tips and Tricks.....

    When your on campaign roll up your bed roll, pack your personal gear, etc right after you get up. Don't wake up, mull around a little, then slowly get to your gear. Have everything rolled up, and ready to go. You want to be able to saddle up and move at an instant if you have to. Be able to saddle in the dark. At many campaigner events you will be up and riding well before light. Be able to saddle by feel.
    Last edited by IowaYank; 10-23-2011, 11:17 AM.
    Dan Chmelar
    Semper Fi
    -ONV
    -WIG
    -CIR!

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    • #3
      Re: Tips and Tricks.....

      At every event go campaign style . Set the example for others and if you are new, there is no substituite for field experiance! When possible, set your bed up near the picket line to be ready to go if called out, pack light and simple. Don't over burden your self with food. Keep your canteen on your person, it is of on use if you get separated from your mount. These are a few that I like. plm
      Save me a place at the fire,

      Paul L Muller

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      • #4
        Re: Tips and Tricks.....

        Ride your horse before getting to the event........
        Jerry Ross
        Withdraw to Fort Donelson Feb 2012



        Just a sinner trying to change

        Hog Driver
        Lead ,Follow or Get out of the way !

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        • #5
          Re: Tips and Tricks.....

          I definitely second that one. Getting to the event and finding out your gear won't work with a rental, or that the horse is beyond your level of horsemanship makes for a difficult weekend.
          Mike
          Michael Pearson

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          • #6
            Re: Tips and Tricks.....

            If you don't have your own horse and rely on rentals or loaners don't always choose the deadhead. Ride as many different horses as possible to familurize yourself with all temperments. It will make you a better horseman and cavalryman to be able to jump on whatever is available at the time, just as our ancesters did.
            John Clinch ~ The Texas Waddi of the "Far Flung Mess"

            "Fighting the Texans is like walking into a den of wildcats"- Union private
            "When a Texan fancies he'll take his chances, chances will be taken..."

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Tips and Tricks.....

              Hello fellas!!

              It sure does my heart good to see this Cavlary COI forum being put to some good use. My compliments to all of you that are participating and my encouragement to others to do so, too!

              Ken and I have just returned from a fine time at "Perilous Times at South Union" where we had a wonderful time working with the Infantry and the Shakers and bringing to life that piece of history and doing it in such a beautiful setting. More on that is posted on my comments under the "Perilous Times" thread.

              But to keeping in the spirit of what you gentlemen have started with these tips, I will share one that has to do with tying or linking horses when dismounting to fight on foot.

              a) If you tie the reins, then first of all NEVER do this with green horses who have never had it done and when you do, tie the reins to the side of the halter (if one is worn) or bridle if not.

              b) if using a linkstrap, as you dismount, make certain that your reins are laying over the pommel so they do not slip down the horses neck and get entangled with his feet. This is a number 4 man's greatest nightmare.

              keep up the good work fellas,

              regards,
              Mark
              J. Mark Choate
              7th TN. Cavalry, Co. D.
              "Let history dictate our impressions.......not the other way around!"

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Tips and Tricks.....

                No matter what unit you're with set up a picket duty! there is nothing worse than a horse slipping out of their halter or choking from their lead being wrapped around their neck (had this happen before) and no-one is there to catch it/ save it!
                Andrew Verdon

                7th Tennessee Cavalry Company D

                Tennessee Plowboy #1 of the "Far Flung Mess"

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                • #9
                  Re: Tips and Tricks.....

                  My two biggies are:

                  Rule #1: ALWAYS see to the needs of your horse before seeing to the needs of yourself.

                  Rule #2: Don't expect anyone to babysit horses on the picketline. If you hear or see a wreck in the making attend to it. (If it were your horse in trouble, you'd be grateful if someone helped him out of a bind.)

                  Also, use a quick knot on your lead rope/ strap to attach it to your saddle. If you have to dismount in a hurry... Pop, it's off and in your hand. It's even faster than using the reins and easier on your horses' mouth.
                  [B][FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="4"][I]Zack Ziarnek[/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
                  [email]ill6thcav@yahoo.com[/email]

                  Authentic Campaigner since 1998... Go Hard or Go Home!

                  "Look back at our struggle for Freedom, Trace our present day's strength to its source, And you'll find that this country's pathway to glory, Is strewn with the bones of the horse." Anonymous

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Tips and Tricks.....

                    After you saddle your horse, and have tightened the girth, walk him forward at least one step. In fact, walk him out every time you tighten the girth. This will save you from having a horse bind up and fall over, or buck when you get on, both highly embarrassing.
                    Casey Mott

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                    • #11
                      Re: Tips and Tricks.....

                      Ah, another after you saddle thing: After tightening the girth pull your horse's front legs up and stretch them, this will not only stretch those front muscles but also pull excess skin from under the girth preventing galls and sores from the girth.

                      Do y'all think that is why cruppers were issued; to keep the saddle from riding up and creating girth rubs?

                      Andrew, in Texas that is particularly important as indians or the enemy my move your horse or the whole picket line, that is if no one is watching. Oh and I've never done that before....
                      John Clinch ~ The Texas Waddi of the "Far Flung Mess"

                      "Fighting the Texans is like walking into a den of wildcats"- Union private
                      "When a Texan fancies he'll take his chances, chances will be taken..."

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Tips and Tricks.....

                        Always use a carbine socket with a carbine sling. Otherwise you'll spur the heck out of your carbine and wonder why your horse isn't responding. My wife said the resulting scars on the forearm piece of the Sharps carbine she gave me for a wedding present give it character. I wanted to cry.
                        Jerry Orange
                        Horse sweat and powder smoke; two of my favorite smells.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Tips and Tricks.....

                          [QUOTE=volcav;211810]Otherwise you'll spur the heck out of your carbine...QUOTE]

                          Jerry,
                          You must have some seriously short legs if you're spurring the forearm! My carbine hangs with the muzzle at my ankle bone and beats the crap out of my ankle even with a socket! Z
                          [B][FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="4"][I]Zack Ziarnek[/I][/SIZE][/FONT][/B]
                          [email]ill6thcav@yahoo.com[/email]

                          Authentic Campaigner since 1998... Go Hard or Go Home!

                          "Look back at our struggle for Freedom, Trace our present day's strength to its source, And you'll find that this country's pathway to glory, Is strewn with the bones of the horse." Anonymous

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Tips and Tricks.....

                            OK
                            Heres my two cents. Piggybacking off the cinching your horse. Once you cinch your mount step back for a few minutes and then go back and re-cinch. When you initially cinch your horse he/she will puff out their chest. If you go back and redo it you'll notice that you can go up more holes (dont forget to also adjust your Surcingle). Occationally we see it out here when an old Cowboy will knee his horse as he cinches it up, this way it will exhale when chinched, not a practice I support.
                            [U]Andy Miller[/U]
                            1st CAlifornia Cavalry Company A
                            [I]"Lying down behind the body of my dying animal, I opened fire with my carbine swaring to kill at least one apache" [U]John Teal 1862[/U][/I]

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                            • #15
                              Re: Tips and Tricks.....

                              Here's a tip for folks with a new saddle. Put a stick through both of the stirrups when it's on the saddle stand. This will mold the stirrup leathers so the stirrups will face forward, not sideways. With Mac's or other hooded stirrups put the stick through the stirrup leather.
                              Casey Mott

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