U.S. Special Forces Fighting with Swords on Horseback

NewsMax ^ | November 18, 2001 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

The Sword and The Stone(d) Taliban????? ;-)

[My2Cents]

Clearly an effort (probably successful) to increase US respect among the Northern Alliance -- we can whield as sword with the best of them.

[Rubber Duckie]

"Do the people in Special Forces know how to ride horses?" an incredulous Schieffer asked. "I mean, there's a difference between jumping on a horse and hanging on and being able to ride it. Are they trained to ride horses?"

Actually, there is a fairly large pool of people in the United States skilled in horsemanship-- rodeo, Amish, Navajo, cowboys, etc. I wouldn't be surprised when this is over, we have some amazing stories. During World War II, one "code" the Japanese could never crack was two-way radio transmissions in the Navajo language.

[Rubber Duckie]

"Do the people in Special Forces know how to ride horses?" an incredulous Schieffer asked. "I mean, there's a difference between jumping on a horse and hanging on and being able to ride it. Are they trained to ride horses?"

Actually, there is a fairly large pool of people in the United States skilled in horsemanship-- rodeo, Amish, Navajo, cowboys, etc. I wouldn't be surprised when this is over, we have some amazing stories. During World War II, one "code" the Japanese could never crack was two-way radio transmissions in the Navajo language.

[UB355]

This is too funny. My daughter and I were just on the phone. She rides and was wondering if our troops are trained riders. I thought they weren't. I imagine those horses are not exactly high powered thourghbreds.

[Fiddlstix]

U.S. Special Forces Fighting with Swords on Horseback

Way Cool!

[concerned about politics]

What better way to know what the Northern Alliance is saying and doing?
Become them to know them.
If the military doesn't mind, I'm for it.
Gotta keep an eye on these guys.

[Theresa]

No kidding very cool. This war is going to make a great movie!!!

[xm177e2]

Actually, there is a fairly large pool of people in the United States skilled in horsemanship

I heard there are a lot of people who know how to farm, too, but I've never actually seen one firsthand, because I'm an East-Coast Media Elite </sarcasm>

[RichInOC]

Somewhere, George S. Patton is grinning from ear to effing ear.

[John Jamieson]

When you cut down a tree, it doesn't fall, until you're almost done.

[Delta 21]

I think Patton would be very pleased, indeed.

Yes, we know how to fly hyper-sophisticated aircraft and have spent billions on state-of-the-art weapons of war. ...and when it comes to charging the enemy from horseback, we can do that too!

Delta 21

[Cicero]

Shaggy mountain ponies, I imagine, because they have to be able to take the cold and they need stamina more than speed. If that kind of horse was good enough for the Mongols, it should be good enough for the Special Forces.

[Capriole]

<< I imagine those horses are not exactly high powered thourghbreds.>>

Actually, they're pretty interesting horses. They are members of very old breeds. They have a strong Arab influence (unsurprisingly) which means that, like Thoroughbreds, they are considered hot-blooded, though they have less refinement and a less-elegant way of going than pure Arabs. Kazakh and Karabair horses are tough, intelligent, and fast, with amazing endurance and the ability to subsist on small amounts of forage. You can see from looking at the photos that they're not big horses, but they can accomplish a lot. One horse of this general type, an Akhal-Teke, was an Olympic dressage competitor several years ago, if I'm not entirely mistaken (and someone on the list please correct me if I am).

[hoosierham]

I believe there are MORE horses in the U.S. of A. NOW , than in the time horses were necessary to do the work and transport. (I am not speaking of the horses rear ends, of which we CERTAINLY have more now than any time in history!)

[jwalsh07]

Amazing isn't the word. These guys are doing what I have only fantasized about. Hats off, a salute and a promise to honor their service always.

[Skibane]

Actually, there is a fairly large pool of people in the United States skilled in horsemanship-- rodeo, Amish, Navajo, cowboys, etc.

Yeah, those Amish special forces people really kick some serious butt...Probably second only to the Hooterites! ;^)

[vetvetdoug]

The US Army Times reported on SPecial Forces using horses while patrolling the border about four years ago. I personally believe that the riding requirement for officers should be reinstated.

I took a dozen West Point Cadets on a tour of Shiloh National Military Park on horseback ten years ago. The horses were fitted with 1959 McClellans, Grimsleys, a Jennifer, and a Texas Jennifer. They learned rapidly and I was impressed at how they listened and performed. It is good that some of the West Point cadets learn the proud history of the ones that came before them.

[RBroadfoot]

The 1st Cavalry used to have a mounted group about 20 years ago. One of my neighbors was a proud veteran of it and had pictures to prove it. It was mostly for show, however, and may have disbanded with budget cuts.

[Alouette]

Actually, there is a fairly large pool of people in the United States skilled in horsemanship

You left out Civil War reenactors!