Quote:
Originally Posted by HorseSoldier
I'd think you could pop the quick releases on the two Alice packs and knot them together, then cinch down tight. The shoulder pads should provide the horse some padding, with more possible with a USGI wool blanket, sleeping bag or even poncho liner. Underneath, any good troop should have enough 550 cord to improvise a cinch (though by 2000, I suppose some kind of light rope or leather straps may have taken the ubiquitous role of 550 cord). Or you could probably improvise something more pleasant for the horse with rifle slings, uniform belts, or cargo straps).
Thinking about it, I would guess this would work best the frames removed from the packs, which could be done with medium Alice easily. The large packs would require some additional improv to fit the shoulder straps to the bag without the frame.
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Not a bad idea; but the players would have to be very careful. A Morgan breed will be able to carry roughly 240lbs without risk of injury (this would include the weight of saddle and rider). Using ALICE bags, the players would have to insure that the bags are as equal in weight as possible. For example, when US cavalry packers would load bags of oats; they would issue the grain one scoop out a time and alternating each scoop from each bag.
The issue with the weight distribution is that an unbalanced pack can 'gall' the horse's back, for the players, this would mean that the animal would suffer from opening running sores that will will require treatment as well as a long period of time in which the animal cannot carry a load.