FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread 12

[FrogInABlender]

Well, I’m back, and it wasn’t TOO bad. Since I go to the OBGYN for all the embarassing stuff, I just got weighed (I hate that part!) and stuck, then had to sit in a freezing room in a hospital gown for what seemed like forever while they did an EKG. But, long story short, I’m healthy as a horse, so that ought to do me for another coupla years ‘til I turn 50...THEN they really begin to wanna to some rather unpleasant tests. Can’t wait for that! ;o)

[FrogInABlender]

What kind of horse is Levi?

I think Levi is Beaker's horse, and I'll let her answer that question for ya...

[AnAmericanMother]

Put 'em up, and lead 'em! That's what I did with my young daughter. She was four at the time. I did make sure I put her on a rock-steady old pony, but I just walked beside the horse's head (on the left of course), with my hand ready to grab the rein if necessary, and talked her through it. "Tell him, git up!" (of course the pony was listening to me, not to her, but she repeated my words obediently). "Now pull the rein to turn him." "Now say whoa!"

I didn't let her walk him out and turn him by herself until after we had trotted with me running alongside, to make sure that she was pretty steady in the saddle. Then I transitioned her to a longe line so that the pony went in a circle around me, with the line through both sides of the bit so that I ultimately had control if things went south. She didn't go alone until she had learned to post a trot.

Also, this all took place inside an enclosure (a schooling ring) so that pony couldn't run far if he somehow took it into his head to be Seabiscuit for a Day.

Another alternative method would be to put the horse on a lead shank for added security. Some people "pony" - i.e. the adult rides a horse alongside the pony and holds the lead shank. Or you could use a longe line or two longe lines (sometimes called driving reins) and walk along behind.

As to what method was in use in those days, I bet it was more of "throw 'em off the dock and see if they can swim." I know that in England ponying on a lead line was most common, especially in the hunting field, but I don't think they were that formal in rural Virginia! Most kids were probably riding as soon as they could toddle, and had been "put up" on plow mules from infancy. I have a picture of my daughter at 18 months old sitting on top of a racing Quarter Horse (with several of us hovering in attendance).

Ponying

Two long lines - driving reins

Longing.

Hope that helps!

[AnAmericanMother]

Sounds like things went well.

You just WAIT til you're 50 (I'm 52)!

[Beaker]

Well... he isn’t mine, I’ve been riding him for my trainer. (As thrilled to death as I would be if he was mine) He’s a warmblood. A Trakehner crossed with a Holstiener? I think? Those breeds are used a lot in dressage.

[FrogInABlender]

Yeah, the thought of having somebody look at my tonsils through the wrong end of my body just really doesn’t appeal to me all that much! ;o)

[carton253]

It helps beautifully. I thank you for helping me out with the horse details of my novel. For what is going on in the scene, I think put them up and lead them will be best. Thank you again!

[carton253]

I think he is beautiful...and that is how I imagined "Centurion" looking. But, with all your help in a previous conversation, I realize that Holstieners were not in Pennsylvania in 1864. So, instead "Centurion" is a very fast thoroughbred, who runs for sheer pleasure.

But the horse in the picture is my ideal.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, glad you got through the inspection... Good for you... I don't do that every year unless something's broken!

Well, the farrier has been here and gone, and Bay's barefoot and been treated the first time. Posted pics of his yucky feet over on the horse forum: Treating Bay's feet... (pics)

[carton253]

When I look at pictures of horses from the Civil War era, I notice that there are the reins, but there is another wider leather strap that goes from the bridle as well.

In the painting I have of Stonewall Jackson with Little Sorrel, he is holding that strap while the little Morgan grazes.

What is that strap called? Does it have a name? What was its purpose? I know, lots of questions. I researched bridles, reins, saddles, etc., but while I find lots of pictures, I can't find its purpose. Thank you again.

[AnAmericanMother]

Hey, they sedate you, so it's not that bad.

It's like the gin-and-Metracal diet. You're so drunk, you don't care.

[HairOfTheDog]

Are you talking about this? This is a tie down... used to keep the horse's head down at a reasonable level (Otherwise they can throw their head back and really bonk you in the face)

He's riding in a double bridle there as well...

[AnAmericanMother]

Most of the cavalry horses wore halters and tiedowns for when they were picketed or grazed. If you look carefully at the horse's head you should see TWO separate headstalls. One (the bridle) has a bit, the other is looser and has a ring below the horse's chin, where the lead line attaches.

Sometimes that lead line is leather, sometimes it's a rope that is passed around the horse's neck and tied in a barrel knot. Officers often didn't use them, because they had an orderly to hold their horse!

I'll try to find some pictures, but I'm off to dog training class right now.

[FrogInABlender]

I’m not sure what the strap is called either, but inge_cav might can help you. He was into the Civil War Cavalry reinactment thing for a while and had all the gear so he should know what it was called. I do remember that he told me that the strap was run back to the left side of the saddle and folded and tucked underneath, with the loose end hanging out. That way if the cavalryman had to do a quick dismount he could just grab the loose end on his way down and wouldn’t lose his horse. But that’s all I remember. Maybe Cav can give you some more background. But if you look at the picture that Hair posted, that strap is tucked back under the saddle in about the same way.

[squarebarb]

Hi Carton! Nice to see you on the horse thread.

You’ll get lots of good advice from people here.

I think at that time in the south they would have been using the ‘English” or military usage which was close contact -— a direct rein and direct reining.

[HairOfTheDog]

Did you see my post above about shoes being off and starting Bay’s treatment? I didn’t take pictures tonight but I think they’re already a lot better! I’ll definitely take pictures tomorrow night... That will be two more treatments.

[carton253]

Yes, that is what I’m talking about. Great picture of my Stonewall and Little Sorrel. Thank you very much!

[carton253]

Hello! These fine folks have patiently answered a few of my questions in getting the descriptions of horses right for my novel.

I am almost done. A few more scenes left, and I will be able to write the end (or hopefully) to be continued (if someone will actually want to publish it). I have put all your extremely good advice to use. What a difference it has made.

[carton253]

Hair, what would a double bridle do as opposed to a single bridle? This is just a curiosity question.

[carton253]

Yes, I see that. Thanks for pointing it out. I always thought the rider was holding it.