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