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Post by Montana Bab on May 1, 2007 12:13:55 GMT -6
Elizabeth,
To get back to the basis of this thread, I just received the book "The Cavalry Horse and his Pack" and find it very informative on all aspects of use of cavalry horses.
Most interesting to me is the chapter on breeding and condition of the cavalry horses. It stated that "the use of a very large horse in ...the American Cavalry is not only an abomination to the man that has to ride him ....but a serious handicap to the troop in which the man is riding...." Apparently the Cavalry tried "Western ponies" with unsatisfactory results, stating "the average Western pony is not sufficiently well bred to possess or produce standard qualities."
The breeds discussed as being used were mixes of Thoroughbreds with Percheron, Clydesdale or Hackney. Morgans were not mentioned, that I could see. That was a surprise to me.
Anyway, thanks for the information, Elizabeth. I am enjoying the book!
Bab
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Post by elisabeth on May 1, 2007 14:28:59 GMT -6
Good. Great book, isn't it!
I haven't yet read it from cover to cover myself (as I ordered Charles O'Malley at the same time, and that's too much fun to break off from) -- but yes, I was surprised by the Percheron and Clydesdale crosses. Not only do they seem far too heavy, but it goes against what Elwood L. Nye said about a Thoroughbred/mustang cross being the ideal. Which intuitively makes sense. Perhaps by 1903 the requirements for cavalry horses had changed from the Plains Wars days? Maybe to something that could carry more heavy equipment? Or that wasn't expected to charge so much as to transport? But certainly the absence of Morgans from the equation seems odd. I tend to think of them as the horse equivalent of Jack Russell in dogs: infinite utility, infinite virtue. As for Hackney: pah! (Well, OK, I'm sure they have their uses ... but it's hard to see how high-stepping fanciness is a benefit in a cavalry horse!)
For what it's worth -- and probably not much -- the current cavalry here in the UK tend to draw their horses from Irish stock, largely hunter or hunter/cob crosses. Now obviously they're now used only for ceremonial roles, so that may say nothing about the qualities required for battle. But I have the impression that they're using the same breeding that served them well in combat ... (BTW, there's a rather splendid DVD documentary produced by the BBC -- The Queen's Cavalry -- that follows the training of a bunch of new cavalry recruits, most of whom had never met a horse before, from their first induction through to "performing" at a major ceremonial event. If you subscribe to Netflix or whatever, I'd suggest you put it on your list; I just know you'd enjoy it!)
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Post by Montana Bab on May 1, 2007 16:15:59 GMT -6
Elizabeth,
That documentary sounds interesting, alas I don't have Netflix.
Your post reminded me of another breed that I recently ran across. A little off the subject, but the Royal Family had a breed called the Hanoverian Royal Creams that they used for coach horses.
They were beautiful and sturdy animals, but their color was the most unusual (especially for that time period.) They were cream colored (buff or ivory) with tan to light brown manes and tails! They were used from 1724 (King George 1 brought them from Prussia ) until 1921 when they were sold to circuses!
There's a horse breed for every taste. Bab
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Post by elisabeth on May 1, 2007 23:24:47 GMT -6
Bab,
I didn't know that. Had read about Hanoverians being popular for use as liberty horses in circuses, but nothing about their earlier history. Thanks for that. Nice info.
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Post by Melani on May 3, 2007 17:29:39 GMT -6
I very rarely buy off Amazon anymore. Amazon now has used books as well--I very rarely find anything I want new! Amazon will also do deals for non-profits where they can put a button on their website that links to Amazon, and if you go there through that button, 5% of your purchase price goes to the organization in question, at no extra cost to you. It only applies to new purchases, however, not used.
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Post by Melani on May 3, 2007 17:31:17 GMT -6
I've paid full price for a number of books and ended up saying to self, what was I thinking? I still can't believe I paid full price for the Billy Heath book. Add that one to your 'don't buy list.' And the recent so called Luce book which should have come with pictures and a box of crayons. No kidding! Very sad.
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