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I thought I would create a post talking about what to look for when assessing a horse's suitability for service in the artillery. Not all horses have the temperament, demeanor, and steadiness necessary.
First lets take a look at what French, Barry, and Hunt state in Instruction for Field Artillery.
"Artillery horses are required for quick draught; they should move the carriage, ordinarily, rather by the weight thrown into the collar than by muscular exertion.
Description At age of purchase 5 to 7 years; height, 15.3 inches, allowing a variation of 1 inch. They should be well broke to harness, free from vice, perfectly sound in every respect, full chested, shoulders sufficiently broad to support the collar, but not too heavy: full barrelled with broad deep loins, short coupled, with solid hind quarters, and their weight as consistent with activity, say from 1100-1200 pounds when in good condition. In purchasing special attention should be directed to the feet, to see that they are perfectly sound and in good order, with hoofs rather large, and that the horse submits willingly to be shod.
Long legged, loose jointed, long-bodied, or narrow chested horses should be at once rejected, as also those that are restive, vicious, or too free in harness." (Instruction for Field Artillery; French, Barry, and Hunt, Section 4, page 46)
In the modern horse world there are several breeds of horse that lend themselves well to the requirements as laid out by French, Barry, and Hunt. Two breeds that initially come to mind are Standardbreds as well as Morgans. Specifically I will talk about our use of the Standardbreds and how we successfully have transitioned them into our teams. Currently the 1st Section has two four up teams pulling rolling stock; 75% of these horses are off the track, ex-Amish Standardbreds. We have found the combination of experience on the race track as well as service pulling a buggy with the Amish provide these horses with a depth of experience which causes the sights and sounds of a reenactment to be of no concern. The Standardbred breed is known to be horses largely free from vice and easily well broke to harness.
Several things we had to work through with these off the track/ex Amish Standardbreds before they were ready for artillery service:
1. These horses are frequently untrained under saddle. Beings that artillery teams are driven postilion style; this is something that must be addressed.
2. The horses must learn to pull as a team. Many of these horses are used to pulling a buggy on their own. It takes hours of working them together to not only get them pulling forward at the same time, but also to get them accustomed to working in close proximity to the rest of the team.
Below you can find a video of our group, 1st Section, pulling a two gun section at the Fredericksburg Slaughter Pen Farm last December. Note that 6 out of 8 of these horses were off the track/ ex Amish horses.
CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO OF THE 1ST SECTION AT THE SLAUGHTER PEN FARM - FREDERICKSBURG
We in 1st Section form the equine aspect of the group and pair up with the Liberty Rifles to fill out the gun detachments. More information about 1st Section can be found at https://www.facebook.com/1stSection/. We are currently working to be able to field a third team which will pull a caisson for the section. If you have horse experience, a dedication to authentically recreating the life of the average artillerymen, and an interested in including your horses in the fun, don't hesitate to contact us on the page!
First lets take a look at what French, Barry, and Hunt state in Instruction for Field Artillery.
"Artillery horses are required for quick draught; they should move the carriage, ordinarily, rather by the weight thrown into the collar than by muscular exertion.
Description At age of purchase 5 to 7 years; height, 15.3 inches, allowing a variation of 1 inch. They should be well broke to harness, free from vice, perfectly sound in every respect, full chested, shoulders sufficiently broad to support the collar, but not too heavy: full barrelled with broad deep loins, short coupled, with solid hind quarters, and their weight as consistent with activity, say from 1100-1200 pounds when in good condition. In purchasing special attention should be directed to the feet, to see that they are perfectly sound and in good order, with hoofs rather large, and that the horse submits willingly to be shod.
Long legged, loose jointed, long-bodied, or narrow chested horses should be at once rejected, as also those that are restive, vicious, or too free in harness." (Instruction for Field Artillery; French, Barry, and Hunt, Section 4, page 46)
In the modern horse world there are several breeds of horse that lend themselves well to the requirements as laid out by French, Barry, and Hunt. Two breeds that initially come to mind are Standardbreds as well as Morgans. Specifically I will talk about our use of the Standardbreds and how we successfully have transitioned them into our teams. Currently the 1st Section has two four up teams pulling rolling stock; 75% of these horses are off the track, ex-Amish Standardbreds. We have found the combination of experience on the race track as well as service pulling a buggy with the Amish provide these horses with a depth of experience which causes the sights and sounds of a reenactment to be of no concern. The Standardbred breed is known to be horses largely free from vice and easily well broke to harness.
Several things we had to work through with these off the track/ex Amish Standardbreds before they were ready for artillery service:
1. These horses are frequently untrained under saddle. Beings that artillery teams are driven postilion style; this is something that must be addressed.
2. The horses must learn to pull as a team. Many of these horses are used to pulling a buggy on their own. It takes hours of working them together to not only get them pulling forward at the same time, but also to get them accustomed to working in close proximity to the rest of the team.
Below you can find a video of our group, 1st Section, pulling a two gun section at the Fredericksburg Slaughter Pen Farm last December. Note that 6 out of 8 of these horses were off the track/ ex Amish horses.
CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO OF THE 1ST SECTION AT THE SLAUGHTER PEN FARM - FREDERICKSBURG
We in 1st Section form the equine aspect of the group and pair up with the Liberty Rifles to fill out the gun detachments. More information about 1st Section can be found at https://www.facebook.com/1stSection/. We are currently working to be able to field a third team which will pull a caisson for the section. If you have horse experience, a dedication to authentically recreating the life of the average artillerymen, and an interested in including your horses in the fun, don't hesitate to contact us on the page!