Joining the Cavalry!

[Trooper "D"]

View attachment 507015
(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!

I think the Confederates "Jenny" saddle was based off of the grimsley. Hope saddles are another option. Plantation saddles one more. Got Pinterest? There are tons of saddle photos and some are from makers. Good Luck!
What unit are you portraying?
Cheers!

 

[Choatecav]

Having done mounted cavalry reenacting for nearly 30 years (I've now retired as I don't bounce as well as I used to) I would echo that there is nothing like it in the reenacting world. I've often said that "I may know it is not a real battle and those around me may all know it, but to that horse.... it is just as real as it was 160 years ago..." That brings about a realism that is unparallel in the hobby (IMHO). I was also the Cavalry moderator on the Authentic Campaigner website for a number of years. I say all of this only to lend credence to what I am about to say....

That said, do not tread into it lightly. Not only is it by far, the most expensive part of the hobby to delve into (especially if you do it accurately and correctly) but it doesn't stop when the event is over. You have to care for your horse 365 days a year. There are many, many, many expenses and responsibilities that you will be involved with that those in the infantry or artillery do not have to worry with. There are vet bills, farrier cost, feeding, tack, truck, trailer, etc., etc., etc... I am not trying to talk you out of it, but you need to have some understanding of how this can change your everyday life.

If, after considering all of this, you still want to push forward, then more power to you and congratulations.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Having done mounted cavalry reenacting for nearly 30 years (I've now retired as I don't bounce as well as I used to) I would echo that there is nothing like it in the reenacting world. I've often said that "I may know it is not a real battle and those around me may all know it, but to that horse.... it is just as real as it was 160 years ago..." That brings about a realism that is unparallel in the hobby (IMHO). I was also the Cavalry moderator on the Authentic Campaigner website for a number of years. I say all of this only to lend credence to what I am about to say....

That said, do not tread into it lightly. Not only is it by far, the most expensive part of the hobby to delve into (especially if you do it accurately and correctly) but it doesn't stop when the event is over. You have to care for your horse 365 days a year. There are many, many, many expenses and responsibilities that you will be involved with that those in the infantry or artillery do not have to worry with. There are vet bills, farrier cost, feeding, tack, truck, trailer, etc., etc., etc... I am not trying to talk you out of it, but you need to have some understanding of how this can change your everyday life.

If, after considering all of this, you still want to push forward, then more power to you and congratulations.

That thar is some good advice.

 

[Choatecav]

That thar is some good advice.

When we brought on a new recruit that wanted to do cav but had no horse, we would loan him a seasoned mount to try some drill. Occasionally, they would fall in love with it and start making preparations to get their own mount and begin the process. Sometimes, however, they realized it was more than they wanted to bite off and no harm, no foul. Just as with the soldiers back in the day, when you have a horse you are responsible for and you get back to camp after a battle or a long campaign ride or recon, you can't just fall out and crash on your bedroll. You have to cool him down, brush, feed, water and tend to him before you take care of yourself.

Maybe one of your cav pards can loan you a mount.....

 

[Trooper "D"]

When we brought on a new recruit that wanted to do cav but had no horse, we would loan him a seasoned mount to try some drill. Occasionally, they would fall in love with it and start making preparations to get their own mount and begin the process. Sometimes, however, they realized it was more than they wanted to bite off and no harm, no foul. Just as with the soldiers back in the day, when you have a horse you are responsible for and you get back to camp after a battle or a long campaign ride or recon, you can't just fall out and crash on your bedroll. You have to cool him down, brush, feed, water and tend to him before you take care of yourself.

Maybe one of your cav pards can loan you a mount.....

Getting up it first light to tend to your mount isnt recreation to some people for some reason. HA!
I robbed the Grand Canyon Railway on horseback for a year or so. The mounts were provided but we still had to feed them and brush them and keep an eye out for any sickness. We trailored them saddled to them robbery site which wasn't far. Going a few hours away is much different. Possibly adding a day or two to an excursion. Driving home after a long weekend if Yankee killin' is hard enough without a horse to deal with. It is a huge commitment but well worth the effort if you can do it. I'm long of tooth now and physically disabled to the point of not being able to do much of anything anymore. Tons of money but no working physical body. Get at this stuff when you are young and have opportunity I say. "The day may come when you cant feel at all". (Comes A Time, J.Garcia)
If my PT works out and my cancer don't kill me I should be going into a Chuckwagon phase of my older years. Got a Civil War...War of Secession I meant...day camp worked out also. Try and pass the torch to the younguns. Ya just never know which kid will get bit by the Living History bug. We don't want to run out of Yankee to shoot at now do we?

 

[limberbox]

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?

Doug Kidd, of Border States Leather Works in Arkansas, was the source for saddles and tack in the 1990's & 2000s. If you google his name or Border States Leather Works you can find contact info. Also Facebook.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Having done mounted cavalry reenacting for nearly 30 years (I've now retired as I don't bounce as well as I used to) I would echo that there is nothing like it in the reenacting world. I've often said that "I may know it is not a real battle and those around me may all know it, but to that horse.... it is just as real as it was 160 years ago..." That brings about a realism that is unparallel in the hobby (IMHO). I was also the Cavalry moderator on the Authentic Campaigner website for a number of years. I say all of this only to lend credence to what I am about to say....

That said, do not tread into it lightly. Not only is it by far, the most expensive part of the hobby to delve into (especially if you do it accurately and correctly) but it doesn't stop when the event is over. You have to care for your horse 365 days a year. There are many, many, many expenses and responsibilities that you will be involved with that those in the infantry or artillery do not have to worry with. There are vet bills, farrier cost, feeding, tack, truck, trailer, etc., etc., etc... I am not trying to talk you out of it, but you need to have some understanding of how this can change your everyday life.

If, after considering all of this, you still want to push forward, then more power to you and congratulations.

I thank you for the much needed advice. I know with a horse it is 365 days a year for sure. But I've been there with horses and cattle, and I'll take horses any day of the week. Though tending to they're hooves gets old at times….