The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland ExpeditionsMarcy, Randolph B. (Randolph Barnes)
History
The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland Expeditions
Marcy, Randolph B. (Randolph Barnes)
Overland journeys to the Pacific; West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
A new saddle has recently been introduced into the French service by
Captain Cogent, the tree of which is cut out of a single piece of wood,
the cantle only being glued on, and a piece of walnut let into the
pommel, with a thin strip veneered upon the front ends of the bars. The
pommel and cantle are lower than in the old model; the whole is covered
with wet raw hide, glued on and sewed at the edges. The great advantage
this saddle possesses is in being so arranged that it may be used for
horses of all sizes and conditions. The saddle-blanket is made of thick
felt cloth, and is attached to the pommel by a small strap passing
through holes in the blanket, which is thus prevented from slipping,
and at the same time it raises the saddle so as to admit a free
circulation of air over the horse's spine.
The Hungarian saddle is made of hard wood entirely uncovered, with a
raised pommel and cantle. The seat is formed with a leather strap four
inches wide nailed to the forks on the front and rear, and secured to
the side-boards by leather thongs, thus giving an elastic and easy
saddle-seat. This is also the form of the saddle-tree used by the
Russian and Austrian cavalry. The Russians have a leather girth
fastened by three small buckles: it passes over the tree, and is tied
to the side-boards. The saddle-blanket is of stout felt cloth in four
thicknesses, and a layer of black leather over it, and the whole held
together by leather thongs passing through and through. When the horse
falls off in flesh, more thicknesses are added, and "_vice versa_."
This saddle-blanket is regarded by the Russian officers as the best
possible arrangement. The Russians use the curb and snaffle-bits made
of steel.
The Cossack saddle has a thick padding under the side-boards and on the
seat, which raises the rider very high on his horse, so that his feet
are above the bottom of the belly. Their bridle has but a simple
snaffle-bit, and no martingale.
The Prussian cuirassiers have a heavy saddle with a low pommel and
cantle, covered with leather, but it is not thought by Captain
M'Clellan to present any thing worthy of imitation.
The other Prussian cavalry ride the Hungarian saddle, of a heavier
model than the one in the Austrian service. The surcingle is of
leather, and fastens in the Mexican style; the girth is also of
leather, three and a half inches wide, with a large buckle. It is in
two parts, attached to the bars by raw-hide thongs. The curb and
snaffle steel bits are used, and attached to a single head-stall.
The English cavalry use a saddle which has a lower cantle and pommel
than our _Grimsley_ saddle, covered with leather. The snaffle-bit
is attached to the halter head-stall by a chain and T; the curb has a
separate head-stall, which on a march is occasionally taken off and
hung on the carbine stock.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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