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rgp
.333 member


Reged: 17/06/04
Posts: 373
Loc: TX & VIC
Re: mountain horses [Re: AdamTayler]
      #33925 - 27/06/05 01:58 PM

Adam,

It occurred to me there are at least two US Army units that would have the manuals I mentioned.

Some Air Cavalry squadrons (helicopter units) have members who are trained in the use of horses and old fashioned cavalry techniques. They normally use the skills to put on 1870's type cavalry displays for the public, but they are not all show, and at certain times when horse soldiers are required, they train troops to properly use a horse. That is how the British SAS and US Army Special Forces guys in Afghanistan learned how to use a horse in combat so quickly.

The cavalry units I know of that have retained these skills are based at Ft. Bliss (El Paso, Texas) and Ft. Riley (Kansas).

There is also a unit that has retained all the old horse drawn artillery skills. I think that one is based in Oklahoma, either at Ft. Sill or Ft. Lawton.

It should be possible to contact the units via the public relations officer at those bases.

Richard.

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475Guy
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/03
Posts: 1088
Loc: Kali, US
Re: mountain horses [Re: rgp]
      #33946 - 27/06/05 03:38 PM

I didn't even know they still had horse training anymore. Shows you what I don't know. Besides, Dressage was originally Military in nature since it takes a well trained rider top a well trained horse to go to battle. I once saw an old WWI training film whereas the Cavalrymen went through their paces in the ring and, of course, jumping the obstacles in front of them. Neat stuff.

--------------------
Lo do they call to me,
They bid me take my place among
them in the Halls of Valhalla,
Where the brave may live forever.

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rgp
.333 member


Reged: 17/06/04
Posts: 373
Loc: TX & VIC
Re: mountain horses [Re: 475Guy]
      #33948 - 27/06/05 03:57 PM

475guy,

Knowing military practice the guys who maintain those skills may have to practice in their spare time for zero pay...but the Army still tries to maintain those skills.

If you're ever in El Paso I think the unit at Ft. Bliss does the horse cavalry shows regularly for the public except when they're on deployment. For the shows, they wear the 1800's blue cavalry uniforms and slouch hats, and are armed with .45-70 Trapdoor Springfields and Colt SAA's. When on deployment I think they leave the horses at home and take the helicopters.

Richard.

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ovis
.300 member


Reged: 26/01/03
Posts: 216
Loc: Homer, Alaska
Re: mountain horses [Re: AdamTayler]
      #33954 - 27/06/05 05:13 PM

Adam's post being so interesting, all of the interesting replies, and missing my hunting horse Johnny, caused me to surf around the web looking at some interesting horse stuff. The post about the calvary manual really piqued my interest so I looked and I found:

http://www.biblioteca.org.uk/links/topics/individual/calvary.html

I hope I got the addy right as there is an extensive list of books available from Amazon including several calvary manuals from the US and other countries. Thought some might be interested.......lots of US calvary history.......hope you enjoy it.

Joe

--------------------
"Where there's a hobble, there's hope."

Edited by ovis (27/06/05 05:21 PM)

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Lefty
.224 member


Reged: 10/06/05
Posts: 22
Loc: The Great Valley of Virginia
Re: mountain horses [Re: AdamTayler]
      #34108 - 30/06/05 08:17 AM

Adam,

I have been around horses a good portion of my life, have hunted on horseback (none of which were my own) and will again if I am spared awhile longer. I currently own and ride 2 registered Quarter Horses. I agree with a lot of what was said and not sure what I can add to this subject, but here goes.

Horses are a lot of work and a lot of trouble. Only you can say whether the satisfaction you will get from hunting and packing on them will be worth the bother of having to care for them. If you do go ahead, don't worry about a specific breed. I would look for a horse that is already doing what you want, no matter how old, what it looks like, or what breed it is. Get one that already knows what to do. That old saying about the horse and its owner "learning together" is a bunch of BS. Its a lot easier if one of you knows what you're doing. The only other thing I would insist on was one that is gentle and has a good disposition. Life is too short to have to put up with surely people or sour horses. If you don't have much experience with horses, get some before you invest money in a horse of your own. Learn to ride, and more importantly, how to care for a horse before you take on the responsibility of having one. Be aware that the purchase price, whatever it is, is just for openers. The expenses just keep on coming. Horses are great creatures and can add a lot to your enjoyment of hunting, and of life. Just be aware that you will have to work at it. Keep us posted.

Cheers,
Lefty

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atkinson6
.375 member


Reged: 26/01/04
Posts: 678
Loc: Idaho
Re: mountain horses [Re: AdamTayler]
      #34282 - 04/07/05 04:31 AM

I grew up breaking horses and mules..I still rope steers with my grandson for fun at least 3 times a week and go to rodeos or team ropings on weekends. We all hunt horseback...

Mules are for very experienced people and I don't care for a mule..He has no loyalty and will hurt you if you let him...

A good horse is hard to beat under any circumstances, I wouldn't be picky about breed as long as he was a good horse...I prefer and ride quarter horses and they do anything I ask of them and thats a lot...I can pull a dead deer up in my lap and ride to the Pickup on any one of
them.

Get some one is a real sure enough cowboy to help you pick out your horses, not someone that claims to be, and you will be way ahead...A good plumb gentle older horse of 10 to 15 will be the way to go, preferably off a big ranch and has been used a lot but sound...

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475Guy
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/03
Posts: 1088
Loc: Kali, US
Re: mountain horses [Re: atkinson6]
      #34300 - 04/07/05 09:29 AM

Ray

I'd rather hang around a Cow-girl instead, at least she won't be putting a pinch between the-cheek-n-gums and spitting out that vile crap.

Seems like lady riders have a better sense for a good rider than guys do since they have a better "feel" for the horse. I don't mind a horse with a little spirit but gotta draw the line on the ones who'll give you that "fish-eyed" look when you look them over. Those are the ones that have always tried to run me into trees or throw me just when I get only one foot in the stirrup.

--------------------
Lo do they call to me,
They bid me take my place among
them in the Halls of Valhalla,
Where the brave may live forever.

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AdamTayler
.375 member


Reged: 22/03/04
Posts: 688
Loc: B.C.
Re: mountain horses [Re: 475Guy]
      #36873 - 05/09/05 04:48 AM

Well, I made the plunge and picked up two experienced mountain horses. One is a 11 yr old saddlebred and the other is a 6 yr old quarter horse cross. They are both geldings with good dispositions, and stand about 15-1, 15-2 hands. The saddlebred is the better of the two, so I'll probably use the QH X to pack with. He is the "follower" anyway. They came as a package with tack for riding included, so now I just need to pick up a sawbuck, boxes, and rigging.

--------------------
It's the journey, not the destination.

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475Guy
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/03
Posts: 1088
Loc: Kali, US
Re: mountain horses [Re: AdamTayler]
      #36874 - 05/09/05 04:59 AM

Good going, looks like you've got a good pair. How do they ride? Horses that are ride-able w/o really bad habits are difficult to come by, to say the least.

--------------------
Lo do they call to me,
They bid me take my place among
them in the Halls of Valhalla,
Where the brave may live forever.

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AdamTayler
.375 member


Reged: 22/03/04
Posts: 688
Loc: B.C.
Re: mountain horses [Re: 475Guy]
      #36886 - 05/09/05 09:29 AM

The saddlebred definately has the better ride. The QH has a more choppy gait.

--------------------
It's the journey, not the destination.

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