Back in the saddle!!!

[texascavcadet]

To all it may concern,
I have now decided to start training my horse for reenacting, After being dismounted for almost 4 years now I want to try riding at the events and such.
I must ask all you veterans out there to help me out with some tips on how to train the horse and sites where to purchase tack and such.
Thank yall very much!
YOS
Garrett

[johan_steele]

http://thecavalry.net/ might give a bit of an idea what kind of tack & gear you need for your horse. It is the only source I can point you to at the moment. You are undertaking quite a task... first if I might suggest some good solid research; the Texas Ranger Historian might well yield some invaluable resources. As you represent a Texas Cav man... don't bother w/ the flash or blass; stick w/ the basics and most importantly learn to live w/ your horse. There are numerous accounts of Tex cav literally mounting their horse to cross from one side of the camp to the other.

Those men lived & breathed their horses. As many had teethed dealing w/ the Commanche it was a necessity. That kind of relationship is too often missed by Cav re-enactors.

Take hard look at Trioni's excellent unit studies of Forrests Man & the 8th TX Cav... both show excellent detail of equipment.

Good Luck

[scone]

Garret I'll see what i can dig up for ya..

One suggestion i would say is to get your mount use to the sounds of battle.

Steven

[ole]

I have now decided to start training my horse for reenacting, After being dismounted for almost 4 years now I want to try riding at the events and such.

Good luck, Garret. So much depends on the horse. As a horseman, you are aware of their extreme stupidity. Some can be trained to a purpose; some are incapable. At least, I'll assume yours is quite handsome. With you in charge, I will assume it can be trained to do as you wish.
Ole

[larry_cockerham]

A former SCV member from western middle Tennessee, Mr. Mark Choate, has a cavalry company that re-enacts. I'll try and find a link for you. He is a very nice gentleman and can help. You might try a google search for him in the meantime.

[larry_cockerham]

Here's your link. These men will be glad to offer assistance.

http://pages.prodigy.net/rebel7tn/links.html

[Calicoboy]

The horses I've ridden (several) didn't like sudden or loud noises. Make sure your mount doesn't bolt or buck at the first unusual noise before you take him/her to a re-enactment.

Calicoboy

[johan_steele]

http://www.uscavalryschool.org/ is another group that might provide some valuable info. While postwar they can certainly give good info on training your horse.