Joining the Cavalry!

[Rusk County Avengers]

(Pic for attention. One of the flags I rotate on a shed in the backyard.)

While visiting with old friends in they're cavalry camp at recent event, a conversation was struck up on "what if" I got a horse and joined the cavalry, and I've been about convinced that's a heck of an idea. Better camps, ZERO politics, good friends, and a chance to use my one or two revolvers from my collection as well as using (while horribly inaccurate for out here in the west), my Pedersoli S.C. Robinson carbine I shoot often once in a while at an event, and more often my beloved Mississippi Rifle in events, I like the idea.

That being said, while I'm very familiar with horses, though out of practice, (a wrist I broke getting thrown in high school while attempting bronc busting has been hurting me recently for the first time since ) I have no knowledge or experience with period saddles and tack. So any suggestions here would be appreciated!

There are plans for me to get taught proper by the experts in person, when I get a new horse, get him/her gun broke, etc. but I think it wise to consult with anyone experienced before I buy a saddle or halter so to speak.

I know Grimsley saddles have always been a curiosity to me, mainly as known horsemen like Grant preferred them, and I've not found anyone making them. Just one of the many questions I have…

So words of wisdom welcome!

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

As a side note, I recently got a "kit" for an Infantry Houston Depot jacket I've not gotten too yet, (just finished an Oklahoma jacket and trying to make myself get back to work on a headache Little Rock frock coat), and all this, it dawned on me.

I have barely enough old C. Childs kersey for a jacket collecting dust, why not get some yellow cloth and cut out a cavalry Houston Depot jacket! They had blue-gray kersey yellow trimmed jackets out here in the Trans-Mississippi, (good uniforms out here were more common than myth suggests, records and pictures don't lie!), and I've yet to see anyone replicate that personally! (Not saying some other intrepid souls ain't done it, I've just not seen it)

Just what I needed, more uniform projects!

 

[peacefulanimalguy7]

The 11th OVC Channel on YouTube may have some useful information about Union Cavalry

 

[RedRover]

Perhaps consult with Ken Knopp, at

Confederatesaddles.com

Or at least enjoy his website etc.

 

[A. Roy]

"what if" I got a horse and joined the cavalry, and I've been about convinced that's a heck of an idea

That you are trying something new and amazing comes as no surprise!
AR

 

[Cavalier]

Did I understand correctly that you are prepared to buy a horse for this? Man, when you join the cavalry you really JOIN THE CAVALRY!

John

 

[Story]

For what it's worth as a suggestion to refamiliarize yourself with riding before you buy a horse, you might want to consider seeking out a stable that boards horses ignored by their owners.

I learned to ride that way at Fort Knox, pair of women owned a boarding stable & were desperate to have someone take their animals out for exercise and affection.

The stables' owners' stable master was a senior Cav NCO waiting to retire, so while he mentored me with practical riding skills I learned how to mentor the little two year old filly until she lost her fear of stream-lettes (hated getting her hooves wet) and taking my weight down slopes.

YMMV​

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

The 11th OVC Channel on YouTube may have some useful information about Union Cavalry

Not gonna lie, I completely forgot that channel existed. Used to watch it every now and then what seems like a long time ago along with the US Sharpshooter one.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

For what it's worth as a suggestion to refamiliarize yourself with riding before you buy a horse, you might want to consider seeking out a stable that boards horses ignored by their owners.

I learned to ride that way at Fort Knox, pair of women owned a boarding stable & were desperate to have someone take their animals out for exercise and affection.

The stables' owners' stable master was a senior Cav NCO waiting to retire, so while he mentored me with practical riding skills I learned how to mentor the little two year old filly until she lost her fear of stream-lettes (hated getting her hooves wet) and taking my weight down slopes.

YMMV​

I've some folks with horses. Used to have many but down to three with one mare that refuses to die. (Other day we got to wondering just how old she is, we think 35!) but none of them are saddle broke anymore.

I've had that thought, and best person I can look to for that is my pain in the rear micro-manager-from-h*ll cowboy boss.

Though this whole enterprise has me missing an Appaloosa we had when I was growing up. Rode him a lot, and he had a taste for Budweiser. Nothing more entertaining that the horse and rider coming home drunk together!

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

That you are trying something new and amazing comes as no surprise!
AR

Well between this idea, enterprises I got in my life, me wanting to build a cannon and do that horse drawn, and a buddy convincing me to make us some CSN officer uniforms and go to Galveston during some shindig next January and striding the deck of the Eliza in such attire, (and perhaps the Texas for laughs), yeah I think I'm overextending myself!

But I accomplish these tall orders I can say I've done it all reenacting wise!

 

[DixieRifles]

(Pic for attention. One of the flags I rotate on a shed in the backyard.)

Maybe a little off topic. Hoping you might have some resources.
My 3rd cousin has several relatives who served in some Texas "cavalry" units. (These are also my ancestor/relatives.) Here are my relatives who served in the 3rd Regiment Texas Cavalry(aka the South Kansas Texas Regiment of Cavalry and the South Kansas Texas Regiment of Mounted Volunteers).

Francis (Frank) Asbury Cole -- Co. "F"
Levi H. Cole -- Co. "F"
Leander W. Cole --- Mortally Wounded at Battle of Oak Hills, MO. He was the first soldier of Cherokee Couty to be killed in battle.
William D. Cole Dublin --- Paroled in 1865
Hezekiah J. Taylor -- 1st Lieutenant - Resigned

 

[UCVRelics]

So words of wisdom welcome!

Yes, Stay off a horse. If you do get one let me know as I will pay good money to see that.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Yes, Stay off a horse. If you do get one let me know as I will pay good money to see that.

I've spent most my life around them, and got at least one physical issue mentioned to prove it!

Funny thing, when the friend that convinced me to maybe give this a try, his horse nudged the back of my shoulder hard enough for me to stumble forward and I turned to that gelding nodding his head up and down vigorously just as his owner said I should.

Horses are sneakier and more self aware than people give em credit for.

But you'd be more than welcome to come out and see it!

Edit: Muster stunts you come up with, me with a horse could open up new possibilities for NPS sight shenanigans!

 

[A. Roy]

Funny thing, when the friend that convinced me to maybe give this a try, his horse nudged the back of my shoulder hard enough for me to stumble forward and I turned to that gelding nodding his head up and down vigorously just as his owner said I should.

Mr. Ed says 'Wiiiiilber, you gotta do it!'
R

 

[MAJOR DUNDEE]

I've seen somewhere on TV (years ago, but it might still be actual) , that in Montana or Wyoming , some rangers capture "wild" horses and give them for free to people if they engage to treat them well.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I've seen somewhere on TV (years ago, but it might still be actual) , that in Montana or Wyoming , some rangers capture "wild" horses and give them for free to people if they engage to treat them well.

I don't know about that, but I do know here in Texas there's some places to the west, and I wanna say in Oklahoma where they sell wild horse at giveaway prices. Mustangs I've heard.

When I was young mustang was what we had, and they can be an adventure to tame.

 

[archieclement]

I've some folks with horses. Used to have many but down to three with one mare that refuses to die. (Other day we got to wondering just how old she is, we think 35!) but none of them are saddle broke anymore.

I've had that thought, and best person I can look to for that is my pain in the rear micro-manager-from-h*ll cowboy boss.

Though this whole enterprise has me missing an Appaloosa we had when I was growing up. Rode him a lot, and he had a taste for Budweiser. Nothing more entertaining that the horse and rider coming home drunk together!

Plus you can up muster stunts if bring him. When I was a kid I had a horse that loved to swim across a lake with me holding onto mane.

Suppose you've seen this?

Early Hope & Texas saddles.... - Authentic Campaigner

Discussions Related to the the Accurate Portrayal of Civil War Cavalry & Artillery.

www.authentic-campaigner.com

 

[truyle]

As a side note, I recently got a "kit" for an Infantry Houston Depot jacket I've not gotten too yet, (just finished an Oklahoma jacket and trying to make myself get back to work on a headache Little Rock frock coat), and all this, it dawned on me.

I have barely enough old C. Childs kersey for a jacket collecting dust, why not get some yellow cloth and cut out a cavalry Houston Depot jacket! They had blue-gray kersey yellow trimmed jackets out here in the Trans-Mississippi, (good uniforms out here were more common than myth suggests, records and pictures don't lie!), and I've yet to see anyone replicate that personally! (Not saying some other intrepid souls ain't done it, I've just not seen it)

Just what I needed, more uniform projects!

Where did you get a Houston Depot jacket kit?

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Where did you get a Houston Depot jacket kit?

A private source who has run out of the fabric. Short run thing a while back.

 

[archieclement]

Though this brings up a question to me. ........

If Confederate cavalry often was required to provide their own mount, especially initially.........wouldn't they provided their own tack?

If later on, at some point they are gave government issue tack, what were they expected to do with the personal tack they had started with?