"Kings German Legion Light Cavalry" Topic

I have difficulty in finding the correct horse furniture details for the Kings German German Legion Light Cavalry (1815). All my reference books show the uniforms but not the horse equipment.
Trawling the internet has been of little help.

Try here:

link

and here:

link

Basically it was the same as the rest of the British Army.

and surprisingly plain for the era.

The sheepskin exposed or covered, whether heavy or light cavalry, by 1815 a dull grey blanket, a rolled something across the front (a combination of pistols, cloak and waterdeck (what the heck was a waterdeck anyway?) and the round portmanteau behind, in red or blue basically.

and forget the two blue stripes on the grey blanket, for any cavalry (esp Scots Greys). They are just artists trying to show layers of folded greycloth

"what the heck was a waterdeck anyway?"

From the 1803 circular ordering its issue to each man, its purpose is "the protection of his baggage and necessities". So, some sort of waterproof (oilcloth?) cover to go over the whole saddlery arrangement ?

Which explains the name. Thanks

Usually shown as a sandy coloured thing over the rolled blanket.

Found a detailed description in Bryan Fosten's "Uniforms of the Napoleonic Wars Vol 8 The Union Brigade". Described as painted canvas……

link

"Decke" in German meaning blanket…

Have to confess I hadn't given the whole set-up much thought so far, but it stands to reason that cavalry need to carry a lot more kit than the PBI, and most of it leather and sheepskin, which would not last long if repeatedly soaked.