|
|
|
#8
01-09-2011, 07:36 AM
|
|||
|
|||
The only real drawback to horse-mounted cavalry is the capacity of the horse to carry rider and equipment. While a bit dated (this is the official equipment and weights from the 1870s) the following list gives some idea of what could be carried.
Halter: 2lbs 1oz Watering Bridle: 1lb 1.5oz Bridle: 2lbs 13oz Saddle: 14lbs 13.5oz Saddle Bags (empty): 2lbs 2oz Filling of near side pouch of saddle bags (rations): 11lbs 2oz Filling of off side puch of saddle bags (1pr socks, 1 pair shorts, 2 shirts, 40rds carbine ammo, toilet articles): 7lbs 8oz Forage Sack (empty): 6oz 15lbs of oats in forage sack: 15lbs Lariat and picket pin: 3lbs 1.5oz Greatcoat: 4lbs 6.5oz Brush and shoe pouch (empty): 1lb Curry-comb and brush in near side pocket: 1lb 8oz 2 horseshoes and 15 shoe nails on off side pocket; 2lbs 2 blankets: 6lbs 14oz Saddle cover: 1lb Surcingle: 11.5oz Saber and slings: 4lbs 12oz Waist-belt and plate: 1lb Pistol and holster: 3lbs 2oz Carbine sling and swivel: 10lbs 4oz Carbine cartridge box (empty): 1lb 24 rds of carbine ammo: 2lbs Pistol cartridge box (empty): 4oz 12 rounds of pistol ammo: 14oz Man: 140lbs All of this gives a total weight for a five day field exercise of 240lbs, 12.5oz. Now, of course certain items can be dropped from the list but the key thing to remember is that the weights carried must balance between the near and off-sides of the horses. This is to prevent injury to the animal. And the maximum load that can be carried is 240lbs. This helps explain the extensive train that has to support horse cavalry.
__________________
The reason that the American Army does so well in wartime, is that war is chaos, and the American Army practices chaos on a daily basis. 
|
| Tags |
| cavalry |
| Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 6 (0 members and 6 guests) | |
|
|
Threaded Mode