"why did the french cavalry in some case have sadel rot?" Topic

Hi,
Gents Why mistreating your mount this way no knowlage of a horse back bone? greetings serge joe

Probably because of poor-fitting saddles and no way to get a better-fitting one.

Cavalry in the field that is constantly be pushed does not have the time to properly take care of men, horses or equipment.

Cavalry in the field that is constantly be pushed does not have the time to properly take care of men, horses or equipment.

Really? Every cavalryman would know that his first priority is his horse, and then himself.

As the war progressed, the availability of well trained horsemen declined. Towards the end, it was likely, 'Have you ever seen a horse? You're in the cavalry.' Not only did they not know how to properly saddle a horse, they wouldn't recognize a developing problem and they would have no idea how to treat it.

The French always had a history of poor horse care. At Blenheim in 1704 there were 18 battalions of dragoons whose horses had died being used as infantry.

An anecdote from Napoleonic Spain said you could smell the French saddle sores before you saw the troopers.

@Major B,

I'd say Gen John Buford was a cavalryman, and he commented on the lack of care to horses and men when his troopers were being run around non-stop and being counter-marched back and forth. Sometimes his horses were never unsaddled; the saddle staying on the horse for the short night's rest, with the bridle reins tied to the trooper's wrist.

There is a story about austrian cavalry training French cavalry in the revolution the French were not customed to ride horses only oxes?
just a story
i read some where do not know the book any longer long time ago19 years ago! serge joe

Lincoln said of McClellan to his critics when he re-instated him, "One must use the tools one has." Much the same here. You do what you can but if you don't have you can't use it. Yes every cavalryman knew his horse came first, but if he was unable to get what he needed to take care of his horse first- life must go on. Not the horses maybe but…

"Every cavalryman would know…"

- Takes at least two years to turn a recruit into a real cavalryman, and even then orders are orders, even if man and beast are run into the ground. Don't forget that Napoleon was schooled as a gunner, and had little time for the specificities of the other arms.

As a gunner Boney should have realised the importance of a healthy team. Without it his guns were just so much scrap metal as they couldn't get where they were needed.

Sadly even in 1914 the rate of advance/retreat was more important than the health of horses and many thousands died of neglect, exhaustion and even starvation. Having vets on the strength of cavalry units didn't stop it happening.

"At Blenheim in 1704 there were 18 battalions of dragoons whose horses had died being used as infantry."

One question: Why were the horses being used as infantry? ;-)

Because they made ruddy awful sailors…

Saddle sores develop three ways

poorly fitted saddle, French cavalry saddles were adjustable for width and height over the wither, however if the tension is incorrect in the seat, they cause a pressure point that directly rubs or even causes heat on the back which blisters that develops into a sore. 3 months rest is the only way to heal it.

dirty saddle cloth, dirt rubbing into causing irritation and a sore, regular washing of the saddle cloth helps.

Horses brought in Fresh, too many hours in the saddle causing girth and saddle sores.

cheers
matt

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Explained in De Brack, I think.

If you lack worries, buy a horse. If you are free from worry, buy two…