Horse Whisperers

Horse Whisperers and Round Pen Trainers.  Not many of them like these labels.  Perhaps Natural Horsemanship is a correct term.  Certainly to call them “trainers” is not very defining but however you label it, the natural horsemanship system has caught on in a big way. For the purpose of my blog I’ll use the initials NH.

There are several different methods of NH but all of them are based on using the horse’s natural instincts and traits to develop a better working relationship between horse and horseman. The methods run the gamut from making the horse run around a round pen until it’s lungs burn, or dogging it until it gives up, to refining leadership (which may or may not be a natural quality in a person), to playing games, to developing an extreme mental connection with the horse. … Continue Reading

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The Eleventh Cavalry Hunt

The Eleventh Cavalry Hunt, organized in October 1909, was the first organized Army Hunt in America. One of the downloads that you received when you signed up for U.S. Horseman News was “Fox and Drag Hounds in the Army” from the 1912 Rasp.  This article gave lots of detail about the 11th Cavalry Hunt, much of which is also included in “Hunting in the United States and Canada” (1928).

In 1911 the Regiment was ordered to Texas and when Captain Cushman returned, he found hounds who were in such terrible shape that they had to be destroyed. Earlier Cushman had sent a letter to Middleburg asking for their help in starting a new pack. I hope readers will enjoy the following excerpts from “Hunting in the United States and Canada”, written by A. Henry Higginson  & Julian Ingersoll Chamberlain, published in 1928.

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1913 Olympics part 3

The following is the final part of the 1913 “RASP” article “American Officers in the Riding Competitions, Stockholm, Sweden” by Captain Ben Lear, Jr., Fifteenth Cavalry. Captain Lear’s description of the problems that the team faced during preparation and competition show the grit and determination of our first Olympic equestrian team.  I part 3 he compares the preparations made by other competing countries and talk about methods of selection.  He makes a point of letting the reader know that the U.S. team did not have the numbers nor the quality of horses to choose from that he felt are required to produce a wining team.  While I have no doubt that this was the case, I find it interesting that lack of good horses has been the cry of the USET for as long as it has been in existence.  As Captain Lear notes , “no one will deny that many fine horses can be found in the United States”, which might make one think that there is some other reason for the shortage of superior horses available to our Olympic teams. … Continue Reading

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1912 Olympic Team Arrives in Stockholm

This is the 2nd of 3 blogs from the 1913 “RASP” article “American Officers in the Riding Competitions, Stockholm, Sweden” by Captain Ben Lear, Jr., Fifteenth Cavalry

The ship arrived at Stockholm, June 30, horses unloaded and taken to the military stables of one of the artillery regiments. Here we found conditions most excellent and everything possible was done by the Swedish officers to make officers, men and horses comfortable. Forage and stabling was of the best, and the former far superior to that which is obtained in our country.

The competitions were to start on July 13, thus giving us thirteen days to get our horses into condition for these severe tests.

We found the horses very soft after their trip and capable of doing nothing but slow work for some days. This we tried to make as hard as possible by climbing hills, going through mud and various things to gradually draw out and harden the muscles.
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1912 Olympics Article

The first Army Equestrian Olympic team had little time to prepare their horses for the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm. Captain Ben Lear a member of the team, wrote a fascinating account of the team preparation and participation for the Cavalry’s 1913 yearbook, The Rasp. I hope you enjoy this first of three blog posts.

AMERICAN OFFICERS IN THE RIDING COMPETITIONS, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

By Captain Ben Lear, jr., Fifteenth Cavalry.

On January 24, 1912, the War Department designated the following named officers to constitute a team to represent the United States Army in the Olympic Games (Horse Riding Competitions) to be held at Stockholm, Sweden, in July, 1912:

Captain  Guy  V.   Henry,   Cavalry,
First Lieutenant Ben Lear, Jr.,  Fifteenth Cavalry.
First Lieutenant John C. Montgomery, Seventh Cavalry.
First Lieutenant Ephraim F. Graham,  Fifteenth Cavalry.
Second Lieutenant John G. Quekemeyer, Fifth Cavalry.

These officers were to report to the Commanding Officer, Fort Riley, Kansas, for preparation. Captain Henry and Lieutenants Lear and Montgomery were on duty at the Mounted Service School at the time the order was received. Lieutenants Quekemeyer and Graham were with their regiments and did not report until March 1 and 26, respectively. On the first day of April, Lieutenant A. L. P. Sands, Sixth Field Artillery, stationed at Fort Riley, was added to the team.

Within about a week from the date the order was received training commenced. … Continue Reading

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Fox Hunting in the U.S. Army and 2 FREE Articles

by Barbara Ellin Fox

“The hard riding, the real nerve tonic that tones up the individual for the emergencies of war, must usually be  obtained outside of drills and prescribed duties.” This excerpt is from “The Regimental Hunt Club” , an article from the 1912 Rasp, the Cavalry’s yearbook.

Ordinarily officers did drill work for 2 – 4 or more hours each day, working in the school on everything from riding without stirrups or reins, jumping, lateral work and suppling horses. No activity provided the opportunity nor the incentive to ride out for a run over rough country on a regular basis, until hunting became a regular part of officer training.

Another excerpt from “The Regimental Hunt Clubs” states “The hunting field does give the necessary practice; has the spice of real danger, enough to create and maintain a healthy interest in the sport; and finally and best of all, it may be participated in by all who are physically able.  It is not confined to any age or condition, except that of nerves.”

… Continue Reading

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