Although it’s rather long, this post from the 1938 edition, “Foxhunting is Different” is a good read. The author gives an interesting account of Colonel Washington, the Foxhunter. And who doesn’t enjoy the artwork of the infamous Paul Brown?

THE IMMORTAL FOXHUNTER by Samuel J. Henry

On a caressing May morning Billy Lee, negro huntsman, stands bareheaded at the door of his master’s library.

“Good mornin’, Kunnel, suh,” Billy ventures, erect and dignified. “I got good news for yuh.”

“What’s that?” inquires Colonel Washington, looking up from his desk.

“Truelove whelped a fine litter last night, suh.”

“How many are there?”

“Seven, suh, an’ all of ‘em doin’ fine.”

“Well, Billy, that is great news indeed.”

“Yas, suh, do you think you can come down an’ look at ‘em, Kunnel? Dey is by Lord Fairfax’s Rockwood.”

“Yes, I remember,” answers the Colonel, rising from his chair. “I am anxious to see the youngsters.”

Down the gravel driveway to kennels proceed Master and huntsman, passing coach house, stables, and Magnolia’s paddock. The great stallion, his silky coat glistening in the sun, snorts and romps about his enclosure.

In a pen by herself, Truelove, her benign eyes mellow as an after-supper toddy, is suckling her tiny babes. Picking up a pair of pups, the Colonel, examining them closely, is obviously pleased.

“These are good ones, Billy, and nicely marked,” he says. “With Truelove’s nose and Rockwood’s speed they should show great sport in a year or so. Take the best of care with them and Truelove, too.”

“Yas, suh, Kunnel. Will yuh let me know de names?”

“Tomorrow,” tersely replies the Colonel, and returns to the mansion, a happy look on his face.

That night before retiring by candlelight the inveterate foxhunter takes pen in hand and after a moment’s pause enters in his diary the big event of the day:

“Truelove brought seven puppies—5 bitches and 2 dogs, to which I have assigned names; To bitches, Maiden, Sweetlips, Chanter, Duchess, Musick. To dogs. Ranger and Harwood”

The self-contained man at Mount Vernon had three passions: farming, foxhunting and American independence. He also enjoyed cards, horse racing and a main of cocks, but the chase was his first and last love among outdoor pastimes. Yet he was not oblivious to the joys of an angler, and on the Maryland side of the lordly Potomac—a river which ever fascinated him— you will find a roadside marker. Preserving a diary extract, it states, simply, “Fished this day at Lower Cedar Point for sheep’s head and catch’d none.” Goethe said, wisely, “Talent is built in solitude, character in the stream of the world.”

The country adjacent to Mount Vernon, barring good roads, is largely as it was in the eighteenth century. Now as then the majestic Potomac pursues its tortuous journey to the far-off Chesapeake and the gently rolling terrain is little disturbed by the hand of man. Here to the melodious notes of Truelove and Ranger, Sweetlips and Singer, the Master rode to hounds in company with his neighbor from Belvoir, Lord Fairfax, and other friends.

Lusty men, these barons of the Potomac, going in for pastimes demanding skill, nerve and stomach. Hunting field, racing oval, bloody pit were sources from which the colonial gentlemen sought relaxation and refreshment for body and spirit; the will to conquer so generously exemplified in mettled horse, staunch hound and gamecock found appreciation and emulation.

George Washington, many-sided man, attended a cockfight and a vestry meeting on the same day. He would go to church and enter in his diary the pious duty as performed. But he said not who the preacher was nor subject of sermon. Foxes, hounds and hunting were matters that loomed large in his philosophy and there is detail after detail. You cannot help loving Washington when you read these diaries, an unstudied record of day-to-day happenings. The man stands forth alive with sense, feeling and factual awareness.

Immortals in every age have been wooed by horse, hound and wilderness quarry, and history records no exception with respect to George Washington. While one may complain of the incompleteness of many diary entries, a lover of the chase finds no paucity of information concerning foxhunting, a traditional concomitant of good living in colonial days.

Despite the catechism treatment lie has received at the hands of thin-blooded historians, who have made of him an aloof and detached god, to a fellow lover of sport the Virginian seems a departed friend, a human and responsive character with whom he has spent many happy hours afield, for foxhunters, enjoying a sport unchanging through the centuries, speak the same language and respond to similar instincts.

Origins are significant; they explain and justify action and feeling. It is a far cry from foxhound and thoroughbred horse to ferocious wolf-dog and runty pony. Yet when primitive man, his feeble imagination beginning to assert itself, utilized these semi-domesticated animals to run down their wild brothers, he set up an imperishable sporting trinity.

In his devotion to the chase—a prelude to his future greatness—Washington, probably unconsciously, followed Xenophon’s advice; by hunting he formed himself for sanguinary conflict, as did the heroes of antiquity who were carefully taught the art as being serviceable in contests with warlike adversaries of strength and cunning.

“George Washington’s time was spent chiefly in action, reading little and that mostly in English history and agriculture,” says Thomas Jefferson. “His person was fine, his manner easy, erect and noble, the best horseman of his age and a magnificent figure mounted.”

Constructive in every task he undertook, the Virginian bred hounds, and, judging by results, he bred successfully. His diaries, which teem with news of field and kennel, cause a foxhunter to turn away sadly, such days being no more. If sport with kills be the criterion, his foxhounds were simply tops. Before the Revolution he owned a crack pack. One is astonished at the number of foxes accounted for. In seven weeks six of them were killed, two of them in one day. There are gruelling and endless hunts in which many of the dogs were unable to continue; Reynard did not always come off loser.

In the carefree years of 1768, ’69 and ’70, the Virginian planted and reaped, bred horses, experimented with the soil, ingeniously sought to devise a better plow. His slaves hauled the seine, gathering hordes of herring from the reaches of the teeming Potomac. His mill ground out grain from his own and his neighbors’ fields. He raced his horses, relished a cocking main and a day’s fishing. He attended the sport of kings in Virginia and Maryland, betting and losing—even as you or I. There were balls and parties at the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg and in the home town of Alexandria. Company, as always, swarmed into the hospitable home; his step-children. Patsy and Jacky Custis, and their friends engaged in dancing lessons; the Virginia colonel had his first portrait painted. Life was even and sweet.

With meticulous detail he tells about each hunt, how long it lasted, whether the quarry was lost, denned or killed, of hounds switching from fox to deer, and says they once got after a bear. He writes of hound breeding and assigning lilting and sometimes sentimental names to blue-blooded offspring.

Of course, as a breeder, he had his troubles. Mange afflicted his dogs and he applied hogs’ lard and brimstone—the latter now known as sulphur, and a good remedy to this day. Speaking of hogs, one day’s diary entry stands thus: “Dec 13—Kill’d hogs.” Curs got among his prized bitches; he ordered the bar-sinister puppies destroyed. Evidently he was unwilling to lose during periodic seasons the services of good performers, for he notes that on June 27, 1769, “James Cleveland spaeded the Three Hound Bitches, Musick, Tipsey and Maiden,” while on July 28 “the young Hound Bitch Chanter was bred to Lord Fairfax’s Rockwood (which appeared to have the mange).”

Some hunting experiences are unique. On one occasion hounds treed their quarry and as the horsemen approached, the fox—a vixen—dropped from the tree, dead, “after being there several minutes and apparently well.” On another run hounds killed after a seven-hour chase in which most of the dogs were worsted. This fox had clipped ears and bobbed tail—probably a pet which, escaping, reverted to its wild state.

Washington never refers to Reynard as a red or a grey. It is doubted if the red had appeared in Virginia in his time. The grey is indigenous to the South.

Here are some random diary entries:

January 23, 1768: “Rid to Muddy Hole and directed paths be cut for Fox hunting.”

January 26: “Went out with the Hounds but started no Fox. Some of the Hounds run off upon a Deer.”

February 12 : Fox hunting with Colo. Fairfax . . .catchd two foxes.”

September 23: “Went a fox hunting and catched a Bitch Fox after about 2 hours chase.”

September 26; “Went fox hunting in the Neck, started and run a fox or foxes 3 hours and then lost.”

October 1: “The hound Bitch Mopsey was shut up with Old Harry.”

October 13: “Went a fox hunting and catched a Bitch Fox after 2 hours chase.”

October 15: “Went a fox hunting with Capt. Posey and Lund Washington. Catched a Bitch Fox after a chase of 1 hour and 10 minutes.”

On October 22 Colonel Washington hunted and catched 2 foxes with Lord Fairfax and Col. Fairfax; on the 23rd he started a fox and catched nothing; on the 25th he hunted and catched a fox with Lord Fairfax and several neighbors, his lordship and Lady Fairfax dining at Mount Vernon.

(A hunting man can imagine these flawless October days in Virginia, perfect scenting conditions, the vast country, plenty of game, crack hounds, rugged mounts, no wire, leisure and time for everything.)

George Washington was out again on the 26th and also on the 29th when he again catched a fox.

December 23: “Went a pheasant hunting; carried hounds and they started and followed Deer.”

The year 1768 passed sportingly. On December 31he noted: “Went a hunting and catched a Bitch Fox.” Messrs. Dalton, Piper, Riddell and Magowan accompanied him.

Turning to 1769 we find more entries of sport.

February 3; “Went a hunting with Doctor Rumsey. Started a fox or rather two or three, and catched none. Dogs mostly got after deer and never joined.”

March 27: “Started and killed a Dog Fox, after having had him on foot 3 hours, and hard running an hour and a quarter.”

March 30: “The Bitch Musick brought 5 puppies, one of which being not thought true, was drowned immediately—the others being somewhat like the dog (Lockwood of Mr. Fairfax) which got them, were saved.”

M;t, 29; “Mopsey had 5 puppies and Truelove 7 puppies.”

September 22: “Went a hunting and killed a bitch fox in about an hour. Returned home with the ague upon me.”

On the 23d he hunted again—ague or no ague.

He says on this occasion:

“Supposed we killed a fox but could not find it. Returned with my ague again.”

On September 30 he “went a hunting and catched a Rakoon but never found the fox.”

On October 9 while after fox the dogs found a deer and ran it to the water.

On October 14 his hounds killed a dog fox and on the 18th another dog fox.

January 8, 1770, a third dog fox was killed after 3 hours’ chase.

Young Jacky Custis went a hunting with his stepfather on the 20th, on which occasion hounds accounted for a bitch fox which was “founded on Ye creek by J. Seal’s” place.

February 1 the dogs chased for 5 hours and killed, neighbors Manley, Peake and Triplett being along. On the 24th hounds found nothing, while on March 7 they ran for 6 hours and then lost. On March 21 he “joined some dogs that were self-hunting and from thence to the Mill.”

April 9: “Hound Bitch Singer was bred to Jowler.” (This fellow appears to have been a favorite stallion hound.)

September 4: “The Hound Bitch Stately brought 7 puppies viz 2 dogs and 5 Bitches, 1 of the former dead, remaining, 1 dog and 5 Bitches.”

And so the foxhunter and farmer unwittingly prepared for the Revolution during which his adversary frequently referred to him as the old fox and often thought he had him “bagged.”

At the battle of Princeton we find General Washington riding at the head of his troops as they pursue the flying British, and exclaiming, “It’s a fine fox chase, boys.” Memories of happy days in Virginia were always with him.

During a dull moment of the war, the Commander-in-Chief is known to have indulged in his favorite sport, a soldier writing home saying that he saw the General on such an occasion.

Where one finds hounds and hunting, one also finds horses. At Mount Vernon stood the noted stallion Magnolia. “My English horse covered the Great Bay Mare,” reads the diary. Bred to mares sent in from the surrounding country. Magnolia once broke out of his paddock and selected his own consorts.

Light Horse Harry Lee coveted Magnolia and finally Washington and Lee indulged in a trade, the latter acquiring the valuable animal for five thousand acres of Kentucky land. (The gallant Lee declared Washington was the only man who could get the better of him in horse trading.)

The King of Spain hearing of his interest in mule breeding, presented him a jackass, shipping the animal to Mount Vernon in care of a stud groom. According to a humorous, yet dignified, letter written by Washington, the royally sponsored sire turned up his nose at the Virginia mares and refused to perform his duties.

General Lafayette worshipped his chief and presented him a French hunting horn which hangs in the hallway at Mount Vernon, its near neighbor the key of the Bastille. He also sent hounds, the latter being entrusted in their long journey to no less a personage than John Quincy Adams, then leaving France for America. When the dogs reached Virginia they were in bad shape, and Washington, disgusted at their condition, was caustic in his comment. One of the hounds, old Vulcan, achieved notoriety. He entered the kitchen and ran off with a baked ham ready to be served. This episode greatly amused her husband, but “Patsy” Washington’s sense of humor, needless to say, did not go that far.

Washington loved animals, and one of the rare instances of his mighty wrath concerned the brutal rider of a young horse. Travelling in his chariot, the General was much annoyed by a horseman dashing past him enroute to the next stop and delaying his departure until after Washington had left. Then the discourteous equestrian would again gallop by the General’s carriage in a cloud of dust, the hard-ridden colt in a lather. The heat was oppressive, and after futile warnings the usually restrained Washington, livid with rage, got out of his coach and threatened to cane the offender, whereupon he
desisted.

Washington’s demands of a horse were simple—he only asked that he go.

This writer wishes to believe that Houdon in the original bust at Mount Vernon has more accurately caught his subject than any other artist. Looked at from any angle, the face reveals strength with refinement, and there is about the eyes, which occupy exceptionally large sockets, a quality seen in but few portraits—a live nobility, not a concealed personality.

‘Tis said the sculptor waited for days to catch a spirited expression which would satisfy his critical Latin standard. One day a horse dealer arrived with a drove of animals. General Washington, then fifty-three years of age, bargained and bickered, Houdon on the sidelines watching his chance, when his subject, indignant at terms, thrust back his head with great animation—and the famous bust was completed.

In his modest tomb on the banks of the Potomac which lie loved so well, sleeps the noble Washington, and while the kennels which housed Sweetlips and Tipster, Duchess and Old Harry and the rest of his pack are no more, the green-shuttered white mansion with high-pinnacled gilded bird—crest of the family coat-of- arms—is as he left it, and if the master returned to earth he would find his premier sport also as he left it- immaculate in pristine charm. Can you not see him mount his horse, surrounded by Billy and his hounds? Over his shoulder hangs a steer horn bound in brass wire (especially ordered from London with a velvet cap with silver buckle). Mark his reserve force and stamina, suggesting his capacity to carry on when many men are to fall by the way—an immortal who in the realm of sport, wherein action is the touchstone, lived a full life.

Now in the twentieth century the racing thoroughbred continues to compete with his peers; hounds cry the fox; cocks clash; dogs point; quail rise; the guns roar.

In a world mad with the phobias of conflicting philosophies, the love of sport remains—the universal urge and open sesame among spirited men everywhere.

Thank you,
Barbara Fox

A U.S. Horsemanship follower recently sent me this picture of their Grandfather. He was in the Calvary, located in or around Springfield, Massachusetts.

The reader is looking for information regarding the type of horses they used, and what he might be on in this photograph, and information on his record of service.

My own grandfather was not in the Cavalry but he was in the Army.  A friend, who is also a professional genealogist near Washington DC, was able to find his service records and even the widow’s pension application at the National Archives.  The person who sent this picture did not give me the year it was taken but it looks like about the same time period as my grandfather who lived 1870-1921 and served in the Spanish American War.

As far as type of horse and saddle Cavalry near Springfield, Massachusetts might have used, our friends at the Society of the Military Horse http://www.militaryhorse.org have much wisdom on this topic. There is so much to learn perusing the forums at http://www.militaryhorse.org/forum/index.php

Can any readers of U.S. Horsemanship contribute a thought about this good picture?  I especially like the people who are lined up along the fence in the background.  It makes me wonder if the was a special event.

Thanks for sending this in.  I hope we can dig up some answers for you.

Barbara Fox

Normally more time elapses before I make the next post to U.S. Horsemanship but current issues in our government with our horses warrant expediency.  At the top pf this blog I’ve added the 2nd in a two part series of videos “The Mustang Conspiracy”.  This has more findings about big industry’s involvement in the destruction of our free roaming wild horses. Please also go to the ATS web site and read the discussion that’s posted about this issue.   http://www.abovetopsecret.com/mustangconspiracy/part2.html If for some reason you can’t view the 2 videos on U.S. Horsemanship you can view them directly from ATS’s web site.

This link for Trading Markets will take you to another article about the BP involvementwith our Mustangs. http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/ep_new-evidence-links-bp-to-the-controversial-elimination-of-protected-wild-mustangs-from-federally-man-1022595.html Just give the link a click and it should take you right there.

A google search for the Ruby Pipeline will produce lots of information about how it will effect our wild Mustangs as well as other wildlife.

R.T. Fitch, Pres. of Habitat for Horses states “In my opinion, this is clearly another example of the BLM subverting federal law by removing wild horses from public lands to accommodate the wishes of special interest groups.”  http://rtfitch.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/blmel-paso-corp%E2%80%99s-controversial-ruby-pipeline-project-hits-a-snag/

Clearly there is even more at stake here than the Mustangs, whom I believe are very important.  Government has gotten out of hand and catering to special interests is beginning to take a real toll on the American way of life.  The Government sees fit to make farmers in California go without crop water in favor of saving a tiny minnow, yet they will destroy our free and roaming wild horses for a pipeline.  There is no balance or reason to any of this.  And I wonder, who or what will be next after the Mustangs?

Whether you are a fan of the American Mustang or not; whether you believe they are wild horses or feral horses or replants of the original horses in America, it would be hard to say that the Mustang is not part of American history. The Nevada Wild Horse site web http://www.kbrhorse.net/whb/blmnev.html tells us “Early explorers’ journals indicate horses were found in northern Nevada in the 1820s. Peter Ogden’s 1828 journal talks of discovering and capturing horses apparently abandoned by Indians.”

The Nevada site also tells us “In 1971 Congress passed legislation to protect, manage and control wild horses and burros on the public lands. The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act declared these animals to be “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West.” Congress further declared it is the “policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death…” and that they are “…an integral part of the natural system of the public lands.”

Anyway you look at it, the American Mustang’s history is intertwined with our own.

There is a lot going on in the life of our American Mustang these days.  Did you notice I said “our” Mustangs? Many people don’t realize that the American Mustang belongs to the American people and that millions of acres belonging to the American people were set side to protect as habitat for the Mustang.  Much of that land  no longer has wild horses on it and in 2010 herds are being rounded up (BLM tries to soften  the sound by calling it gathering) at an alarming rate.

Currently there are more Mustangs in captivity living on American taxpayer dollars than there are Mustangs living free on lands belonging to the public.  The balance tips heavier to the captivity side each time the BLM “gathers” more herds of horses adding thousands more to holding pens.

The American Mustang’s history with free range ranchers  hasn’t ever been good.  The poor Mustang has been a victim of greed for the largest share of it’s history, but now it has become even more of a political pawn, particularly in Nevada, where the Ruby Pipeline is set to benefit, guess who? British Petroleum or BP as we have come to know it through the oil spill that is ruining the habitat in the gulf. (see part 2 of the Mustang Conspiracy)

I’ve included a video, at the top of this blog, that was done by ATS News with George Knapp titled “The Mustang Conspiracy”, part 1. Please go to their web page to learn more and to find part two.  The web site is http://www.abovetopsecret.com/mustangconspiracy/part1-low.html

Friday, that’s tomorrow,July 7, 2010 the BLM is set to start another round up in N. Central Nevada (the largest share of the wild mustangs are in Nevada).  The round up earlier this year in NW Nevada captured just under 2,000 Mustangs with about an 8% death rate.  (More continue to die in captivity from poor castrating techniques and bad handling).  Friday’s gather, Tuscarora, will go on for 3 weeks while they capture another 1,000 plus horses.  Think about it.  This is the time of year that mares have little sucklings babies. These little babies will have to run in terror for their lives, like the big horses, while they’re relentlessly chased by helicopters from from 3 – 30 miles.  In the past, older foals have run their hooves right off, dying a painful death.  Many of these Tuscarora babies will die, and even more babies will be aborted. Is this what “We the People” want to have happen to our horses?

Who is responsible for this? Well of course it’s politicians first and that starts at the top with Pres. Obama, who seems to be carrying on Pres. Bush’s BLM policies with fervor. Directly under him with charge of the Department of the Interior, is Ken Salazar.  As secretary of the DOI, Salazar is over the BLM (Bureau of Land management).  The fellow who is overseeing the Tuscarora Round Up (gather) is David Overcast .

By the way, during the Tuscalora round up, the public lands used for the capture will be closed to the public, while the Government (those people who work for the people) harass and capture our horses.  In short, no public citizen is permitted to film or witness the capture of our horses. The horses will have no advocate and “We the People” will not be represented. Do you suppose that’s because they don’t want us to see the suffering babies?

If you have anything you want to say to our public officials involved in all of this, why not drop them (or your Senators) a line or give them a call? I’ve listed contact info below .

Thanks for reading U. S Horsemanship. There will be more coming on the Mustangs, soon. Those contact emails follow my name.

Barbara Ellin Fox

President Obama
www.whitehouse.gov
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500-0004
(202) 456-1414

Department of the Interior
Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar

http://www.doi.gov

Tuscarora Field Manager,
David Overcast,
775-753-0320
david_overcast@blm.gov

Senator’s contact info
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

The following article about the Infantry Hunt at Fort Benning, Georgia is taken from “Hunting in the United States and Canada” printed in 1928. The work was compiled by A. Henry Higginson and Julian Ingersoll Chamberlain.

“During the World War, the value of schools in our Army became ap­parent to the War Department, and the Infantry School is one of the results. This school is located ten miles south of Columbus, Georgia, on the Chattahoochee River, and hundreds of infantry officers in the Regular Army, the National Guard and the Organized Reserves from every State pass through this institution annually. For the purpose of affording its members the benefits derived from the experience of riding to hounds, the In­fantry School Hunt was organized at Fort Benning, Georgia, during the au­tumn of 1923. The first Field consisted of twelve officers and ladies, the second Field of thirty, and the third of sixty; since which time the Field has never drop­ped below sixty and often numbers more than a hundred.

Captain Pleas B. Rogers, Twenty-fourth Infantry, held the Mastership from October, 1923 to August, 1924, when he was detailed to attend the Cav­alry School at Fort Riley, Kansas. Accordingly, during his absence, Major John H. Stutesman held this office from August, 1924, to June, 1925, when Captain Rogers again resumed his duties as Master, which he has held ever since, with Sergeant Thomas Tweed, Infantry School Detachment, as hunts­man; and three Honourary Whippers-in—Captain Emons B.Whisner, Infantry; Captain Daniel H. Mallon, Veterinary Corps; and Lieutenant Jacob R. Moon, Twenty-fourth Infantry.

Hunt Staff 1927 Capt. Pleas B. Rogers, M.F.H., Capt. E. Emons B. Whisner , Hon. Whip, Lt. Jacob R. Moon, Hon. Whip,

The hunting during the first year was conducted with private hounds, belonging to the present huntsman, Sergeant Thomas Tweed. The first hounds to become the property of the Hunt were donated by the Cavalry School Hunt and were of English, French, and American origin, some of which had belonged to the pack of the Coblenz Hunt and had been brought to the States by General Allen, when the Army of Occupation was withdrawn from Germany. Various types of hounds have been tried, and the results have seemed to prove that for western Georgia the American hound is most suitable for hunting both fox and wildcat, though with the drag an infusion of harrier blood seems to be advantageous. The lighter hounds seem to have been favoured because of the speed they are able to maintain under the climatic conditions at the Post and over a country in which a sandy soil makes scenting conditions far from good. The pack to-day consists of thirty-six couples, some of which are home-bred, the rest being donated by various organizations and individuals whose gifts of hounds and moral support are really responsible for the success of the School Hunt. Among those to whom the Infantry School Hunt is indebted for gifts of hounds and wise counsel are: The Moore County Hounds, the Middleburg Hunt, the Meadow Brook Hounds, the Harford Hunt, the Monmouth County Hounds, the Cavalry School Hunt, Brigadier General A. W. Bjornstad, United States Army; and Mr. J. W. Branaham, of Gallatin, Tennessee.

Kennels are located on the military reservation of Fort Benning, Georgia, about two miles from the Officers’ Club, and hounds go out on Sundays, Wed­nesdays, and holidays from October 1st to March 1st. The country hunted is located about ten miles south of Columbus, Georgia, on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, and comprises ninety-seven thousand acres of rolling wood­land and meadows, all of which vast area is available for the meets of the Infantry School Hunt. In the course of a run, one has to ride over ditches, fences, water courses, and fallen trees, and as scenting conditions are very good in the early morning hours, the pace is very fast, and only a well-bred horse and a bold rider can stay with hounds. Since the Master is responsible only to the Commanding General of the Infantry School, in the matter of hunting country, the attitude of the landowners is not a matter of concern; and forest rangers and game wardens cooperate with the Hunt in every way. The country abounds in wildcats, and though there are both red and gray foxes, the best hunting is perhaps after the former, a unique feature of this Hunt. Wildcats are very plentiful, as has been said, and frequent the same types of coverts as the fox, so that when hounds are thrown in they pick up a wildcat trail as often as they do that of a fox. The chase is very much the same in the case of both these animals, except that red foxes are apt to make better points and often get away. Wildcats in this section of Georgia almost never climb a tree and have no dens, so that, nine times out of ten, the chase ends with a kill, which, of course, keeps hounds well blooded and very keen. The kills are always exciting, and if the cat makes a dodge and gets away with only two or three hounds, as they sometimes do, these hounds are in for a good “licking” until the rest of the pack gets to them.

The majority of horses used are the property of the United States Army, and are half-bred, or better. This type has been found suitable for the condi­tions of weather and footing which prevail. There are very few horses bred in the surrounding territory, and most of the mounts are obtained from the Gov­ernment Remount Stations, as there are no privately owned stallions standing in that part of the country.

There are no race meetings or Point-to-Point meetings held by the Hunt as yet, but there are, however, two transportation and horse shows held at Fort Benning each year; the larger of which is in April. To this spring show a num­ber of outside organizations send representatives, and a polo tournament is held during this time.

The Field of the Infantry School Hunt rides in the orthodox “pink,” with dark blue collars and buff coloured waistcoats. No evening dress has yet been adopted.”

Thanks for reading U.S. Horsemanship,

Barbara Ellin Fox

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By Barbara Ellin Fox

I loved westerns as a kid.  If it had a horse in I watched it.  Those old  movies really glorified the cowboy way and I think the Pony Express must be one one the most romanticized pieces of American West history.  It ranks right up there with the story of Jesse James.  But romantic or not, the Pony Express rider is an image of the American rider and American grit.

The truth about the Pony Express is that it lasted only 19 months from April 3, 1860 – October 24, 1861, used between 400-500 horses, 80 men and had more than 100 stations. The total distance traveled, from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California was almost 2000 miles and was traveled in heats from station to station.  Horses normally covered about 15 miles between stations where the rider would  change horses and travel on.  2 minutes was allowed for changes so it was important that the rider blow his horn on the way into the station so his next mount could be prepared to go.  The mail was carried in a “mochila” that the rider sat on.  This left his hands free for riding and the mochila was easy to grab and move to the next mount in a hurry. The riders themselves covered about 250 miles in 24 hours.

While the movies would like us to believe that the biggest dangers was from Indians, more frequent hazards were from weather and bad footing.  In the 19 months of the Pony Express only 1 mail delivery was lost.  A pretty amazing accomplishment.

In the heat of concern about Texas’ possible succession prior to the Civil war the Pony Express used an alternate northern route. to the southern route  used by the Butterfield Express.  Founder William H. Russell believed that not only was his route better but that he could deliver the mail in 10 days as opposed to Butterfield’s 30.  Russell’s assertion was proved true with the very first ride when rider’s left at the same time from both the St. Joseph depot and the Sacramento station covering the distance in 9 days and 23 hours for the trip from St. Joseph.

Russell and his partners were unable to get any help or contract form the government for his project and with the purchase of horses and establishment of stations, the Pony Express started out in debt.  Even charging $5 an ounce for a letter they could not make headway on the debt and when the Pacific telegraph  was established in 1861 Pony Express was not needed anymore and it’s founders went bankrupt.

2010 is the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express. The National Pony Express Association is holding an annual re-ride over the Pony Express National Historic Trail  June 6-26.  To learn more about it visit http://www.xphomestation.com/150th-Anniversary.html .

You can also learn more about the Pony Express at the national museum at http://www.ponyexpress.org/index.php . And Equus magazine has a terrific article in the June 2010 issue titled, Remembering the Pony Express.

Most of the old time horsemen have asked the same question during the past few years.  Where have the horsemen (and women) gone? I think it’s fair to say that horsemen beget horsemen, usually. But spend a little time around people involved with Pony Club or Fox Hunting (for example) and you’ll learn that the horseman is dying out and being replaced by Moms and Dads who’s enthusiasm for anything equine comes via their kids. And bless those moms and dads because where would our riders be without them?

From the County to the City and more
The change is blamed on the loss of land and the migration of families to the cities and suburbs.  I don’t doubt that for one minute  and I believe land conservation is a major issue for horsemen both now and in the future.  I encourage everyone to visit Equine Land Conservation Resource’s web page at http://www.elcr.org/index.php .

There are other issues effecting the development of future horsemen.  Attitude is a major factor; or our changing culture, if you’re a fan of political correctness.

Americans have become a disposable society that thrives on convenience. As time goes by we expect more convenience and we expect to reach our goals faster. A person can feed their entire family in less than ten minutes by driving thru any one of a multitude fast food vendors.  At the end of the meal, we throw the dishes in the trash. Have you ever sat in a line at Mac Donald’s and gotten angry because it wasn’t moving fast enough? How about the internet? Have you ever gotten angry that it was too slow?

Everything is high tech and faster.  And when the new high tech comes out we chuck the old one in favor of the new.

And what about the coolness factor, a particularly important issue with young people?
They have to have the right label, titles, style color and size of everything.  Is it a droid or an Iphone, a Mac or a PC?

Into the Horse World
All of this flows over into the horse world. We teach the crest release instead of the following hand to get into the show ring faster.  We count strides instead of developing an eye.  We believe bigger is better and anything with a foreign name is bound to be a winner. Then we strip 3 day eventing down to the qualities of a horse trials to make it suit our new choice in horses.

The two prevailing rules for a good horseman used to be:
1.      a good horseman always put the horse first.
2.     if things go wrong with the horse, it’s usually the rider’s fault.

Not so any more. The result has become most important and we’ll get there by any means necessary.  And if anything goes wrong it’s usually someone else’s fault.

Do You Know What You’re Doing? She was Asked
This was clearly illustrated in a recent facebook discourse. (But remember- Betty White says facebook is a HUGE waste of time!)

A teenager put a photo of her horse wearing a martingale, a shadow roll, and an elevator combination bit that puts pressure on the chin, tongue, bars, poll and nose on facebook in order to receive comments.

Someone asked if the horse needed all of that hardware and if she actually knew how to ride.  And the party was on.

Myler

I’d watched this young lady move up thru Pony Club ranks from the time she was 7 years old. The driving force behind her was a family who wanted her to achieve.

Chasing the goal to win blue ribbons and achieve ratings, the girl was moved regularly to “better” horses and ponies. When the better mounts were too much for the girl, stronger bits  and force were used. If the horses didn’t submit they were replaced with a new mount.  The girl never understood, accepted, nor used the principals of classical training.

Horses were a tool, a way to accomplish a goal.  No Partnership. No horse first.  If a horse wasn’t ready for competition, it went any way.    She described her horses as stubborn, jerks, idiots, %#@*!…well you get the picture.

Mikmar

Being a lover of “coolness”, at 12 years old her horse wore coordinated crocheted ear coverings. Later it was quarter sheets during warm up.  Next her horses all used the Mikmar Bit. Then the bubble.  She’d used the Myler Combination bit for the past three years on most horses, so I was interested to to find out what her response to the question would be.

And She Answered-
1.   I needed this to get the horse under control and then switched to the waterford for both horses (new coolness).
2.   We needed a quick fix
3.   We didn’t have the time
4.   He was stubborn
5.   He’s too big
And my favorite…6.   My trainer told me to.

I wish I could say this was an isolated situation but unfortunately I run into more young people with this new attitude about riding.  They miss the richness of being a horse person. It can be broken in to roughly 5 points.

1.   Young Americans follow the coolness.
2.   they want it fast
3.   they don’t have the time
4.   It’s the horse’s fault.
5.    It’s the trainer’s fault.

What Does It Really Mean?
Taking this interpretation one step farther, the 5 points above indicate:
1.   self esteem is tied to “things”
2.   perseverance is lacking
3.   the goal is more important than the process
4.   accountability is lacking
5.   there is an inability to think for themselves

Waterford Snaffle

Are we developing riders and not horsemen because we are losing the example provided by the old horsemen and women? While there is nothing better than growing up under the gaze of the real thing, I don’t believe we must have horsemen to teach personal worth, perseverance, enjoying the process, accountability, and critical thinking. Do you?

The real questions are: What can we do to help our young riders grasp the meaning of Horseman? Is this trend  inevitable? If it is, it becomes more important than ever to preserve the history of riding in the United States.

Thanks for reading U.S. Horsemanship,

Barbara Ellin Fox

Would you like to receive interesting articles from U.S. Horsemanship right in your inbox? Find out about the advantages of signing up to receive the U.S. Horseman Updates by clicking on the subscribe page.  Or you can sign up directly by filling out the form on this page.

And if you’re interested in riding or teaching riding, please visit my other blog, The Riding Instructor at http://theridinginstructor.net/

The 1928 edition of “Hunting in the United States and Canada” by Higginson and Chamberlain, has a unique account of the Artillery Hunt at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. It’s included in this blog post for the enjoyment of fox hunting history buffs.

Maj. George M. Peek, M.F.H.1926-27

“A far back as the days of the Indian Territory, before Oklahoma became a State, packs of hounds were kept and hunted on the Fort Sill Military Reservation and on the Indian lands in the vicinity of the Wichita Mountains. In those days the howl of the coyote kept many a soldier awake, and hounds were used to run their kinsman of the prairie. Some of the old residents in the vicinity remember and relate interesting incidents connected with the different packs that were kept and hunted in those bygone days, and even individual hounds are remembered and lauded by these old-timers; while packs containing excellent hounds have been maintained at different places, and meets of combined packs staged at various times and places for many years.

Just exactly when the Artillery Hunt was founded is not known, but it was sometime prior to 1917, for on the Reservation at Fort Sill packs were maintained off and on—sometimes private, sometimes regimental—both officers and men deriving a great deal of pleasure from riding to hounds in this far-away Army station. At the beginning of the World War, two regimental packs were being maintained at Fort Sill, but as all energy at this station was then being devoted to methods of improvement of artillery fire, there was little time to devote to the pleasure of riding to hounds, and the packs, naturally, deteriorated, so that at the end of the war only a few of the old hounds were left. Coyotes became less plentiful on the reservation, and while hunting was again taken up, it was not followed with the same interest as before the War.

However, in 1925, two lovers of the hound, horse, and chase, by accident of the Service, were thrown together at Fort Sill—Major D. W. McEnery, who had been Master of the Cavalry School Hunt for several years; and Major G. M. Peek, who had been an Honourary Whipper-in of the Coblenz Hounds, with the Army of Occupation, in Coblenz, Germany. These officers started to reorganize the pack and revive interest in the chase; and in June, 1926, the Artillery Hunt was reorganized, under the following officers: Colonel C. B. Herron, President; Major George M. Peek, M. F. H., hunting hounds himself; Major I. T. Wyche, Secretary; Lieutenant E. M. Taylor, Honourary Whipper-in; and Lieutenant M. M. Potter, Honourary Second Whipper-in. The Hunt was recognized by the Hunts Committee of the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association in January, 1927; and the Master was admitted to membership in the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America.

The few hounds they could get together were old and slow, and new ones were needed. Through Major Donald L. Henderson, Master of “Mr. Mar-land’s Hounds,” at Ponca City, Mr. E. W. Marland presented Major Peek with a draft of hounds which brought the pack up to twelve couples. Later it was augmented to twenty-two couples of cross-bred American-English hounds, concerning which the Master writes as follows:

“The pure-bred English hound has not been found to do so well in this country as the American hound, of the Walker type, which seems best suited for hunting in the prairie country of Oklahoma; and because of the sport derived from hunting coyotes and wolves, the Hunt is bending every effort to breed a strong, fast hound, with a good tongue.”

Maj. I. T. Wyche, M.F.H. 1927-

The same pack is used for drag and to hunt coyotes and foxes, the former being plentiful and indigenous, but the latter being imported, and hounds go out regularly on Wednesdays and Sundays, from September 1st to April 1st.

The country is varied, almost any type of going being found within fifteen miles of the kennels. The Wichita Mountains afford good hunting in rough country, while to the east is rolling prairie, cut by a number of streams. Excellent coverts or game are found in the stream beds and mountains and the Reservation is so large and includes so much hunting area that the terror of the huntsman—the barbed-wire fence—does not enter into the picture; in fact, practically no fences are found, but brush hedges and streams furnish quite formidable jumps, and wide ditches fringed with bushes, and gullies, add to the excitement of the chase. Large-boned thoroughbreds are best suited to this country, and a number are bred in the vicinity, at the United States Remount Station, at El Reno, Oklahoma. There are also a number of Government stallions throughout the state.

In September, 1927, Major Peek was ordered away and was succeeded in the Mastership by Major Ira T. Wyche, who is now carrying on along the lines already instituted by his predecessor, with whom he has been in close cooperation since the organization of the Hunt, which has become very popular among the members of the garrison. This consists of some three hundred officers and their families, three battalions of field artillery, one battalion of infantry, an air service and a school detachment. Excellent kennels have been constructed, and the Hunt being now under efficient management and control, large Fields are present at all meets, whether to hunt live game or drag.

An annual horse show is held at the Field Artillery School, and hunter classes are given great prominence, special attention being paid to mounts suitable to become hunters and performance of Hunt Teams. Shows are held at other places throughout the State, and at all of these Hunt Teams from the Artillery Hunt are competitors. As all the energy of those in charge has been centred on building up the hunting, little or nothing has been done to inaugurate steeplechases or the Point-to-Point racing, although it is planned to organize this latter feature in the near future. The organization of this Hunt is young as yet, but the members hope soon to be on a footing where it can compete with its cavalry brothers in these sports.

The uniform adopted by the Hunt is the conventional scarlet, with black collars and yellow waistcoats and Hunt buttons; while for evening dress they use the same combination for their coats, worn with white waistcoats.”

Thanks for reading U.S. Horsemanship,

Barbara Ellin Fox

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And if you’re interested in riding or teaching riding, please visit my other blog, The Riding Instructor at http://theridinginstructor.net/

By Barbara Ellin Fox

Federico Caprilli’s Forward System had an impact on jumping worldwide. (check out my article “Backwards and Forwards: The Evolution of Jumping“)  His methods were adapted in different ways  to suit the riding needs in various countries.  Caprilli’s student, Piero Santini, indicated that  the Cavalry School at Fort Riley had made the fewest changes and was closest to the Italian system.  (In reality the system used a Fort Riley was a combination of the Italian and French methods. )  Caprilli believed that the horse should be allowed to travel and jump as naturally as possible and that it was the rider’s responsibility to impede the horse as little as possible.

Federico Caprilli

Today we see riders sitting behind the motion, driving the horse toward the fence with an aggressive seat, as if they could cause a reluctant horse to become brilliant.  We see riders in various contortions over the fence. And we see every sort of bit and device used because riders go from much contact to no contact and back to contact, during their ride over a course, losing steady communication with the horse.  Where has Caprilli gone?

It was refreshing to read “Master the Principles of Jumping” by Sandra Oliynk in the April ’10 issue of Practical Horseman magazine, that George Morris is teaching some of Caprilli’s principles.

The article is written from the 2010 Horsemanship Training Session. It starts with cavaletti work.

Quote, page 35:  “He wanted the riders in galloping positions with their upper bodies 30 degrees in front of the vertical to help them stay with their horses’ motion. “Rodrigo Pessoa and Eric Lamaze are very light in their seats, very forward, very accommodating to the horse, so the horses can use their backs,” he explained of the two Olympic show-jumping gold medalists. Other than that, he wanted the riders to do very little: “Don’t push, don’t pull. Sit still,” he said, adding, “When riding cavaletti, you need to have a very oscillating arm. I see a lot of tight reins and tight necks. Your horse needs a long neck. His neck is his balancing agent.”

Caprilli would have been pleased that riders were instructed to ride in a forward position to accommodate the horse.  He also would have applauded to Morris for telling riders to sit still and do very little.  Even more important to Caprilli was the use of the riders hand, as you can see from this quote (pg. 36) from the Caprilli Papers:

“If we jump without yielding the hand and without accompanying with the body the forward thrust of the centre of gravity, the horse, in his discomfort, retaliates by ‘bucking’ over the obstacle, which causes violent and painful strain and requires an effort much superior to the normal.”

“In conclusion, I wish to express my firm belief in the fact that yielding the hand when in the air is the most important of all movements, and that therefore an instructor should insist on its correct accomplishment more than on any other detail.”

The Practical Horseman article progressed from cavaletti to bending lines.  Quote, page 37, “Once the riders saw their distances to the jumps, George told them to focus on turning using inside opening reins to lead their horses. “This is supple, this is soft. You can see suppling the horse has nothing to do with gadgets. It has to do with aids. It doesn’t have anything to do with tying the poor horse’s head down.””

From “Caprilli Papers, page 20 “…the first rule of good horsemanship should be that of reducing, simplifying and even, when possible, altogether eliminating any action on the rider’s part.”

And “The simple use of the hands in turning a horse, and of the legs to make him advance with the required determination and purpose, are sufficient aids. If we moreover bring them into play at the right moment and without unnecessary vigour, we shall be superlatively successful.”

“In riding, to intervene by pulling is easy but very often harmful; it is, on the other hand, very difficult, but always right, not to interfere with the horse and to know how to yield to him under all conditions and in every circumstance. This is what we must both learn and teach. If we are capable of yielding the hand, we shall know when, and in what measure, to pull.”

George Morris

Practical Horseman, page 37 “Though turning, the horses still had to be forward, and the riders still had to be in galloping positions. George didn’t want the riders to slow down and sit. “To make a short turn, let the horse gallop under your seat. The horse is free,” he said. “This excessive sitting down doesn’t soften the horse.”

And page 40 of Practical Horseman Magazine:
“As the riders galloped the two jumps on a figure-eight pattern, George stressed rider position. “Most people who jump ahead of their horses are doing the work of their hands with their upper bodies,” he said. “Don’t jump up your horse’s neck. Keep a soft arm. Let the horse take care of your upper body. Do nothing, nothing, NOTHING with your seat.”

Caprilli advocated for the horse and for less force from the rider. He was a natural horsemanship advocate.  He believed that left to its natural state the horse was relaxed and  capable of making decisions about jumping and that it was the rider’s job to interfere with the horse as little as possible. He believed that trouble began when the rider introduced school movements, deep seats, and collection. Caprilli believed that the rider caused the tension which resulted in pain for the horse and that these things caused fear and opposition.

Kudos to George Morris for teaching these principles in the 2010 Horsemanship Training Session.   It’s too bad that his examples for a rider with a light seat did not include an American.  I chose to include a YouTube video of  Canadian Eric Lamaze  at the beginning of this post. Eric Lamaze is a lighter rider that Pessoa. For my example of an America rider with a light seat I’ve included a video of  Kathy Kusner on Aberali and Untouchable .  It’s old an not very clear, but for those of us who love to watch riders from that period of history, it’s worth the effort. Thanks to Ron Kobrine for putting this footage on Youtube. Click the link to view the video of Kathy Kusner:     Kathy Kusner Wiesbaden/Aachen

Thanks for reading U.S. Horsemanship,

Barbara Ellin Fox

Would you like to receive interesting articles from U.S. Horsemanship right in your inbox? Find out about the advantages of signing up to receive the U.S. Horseman Updates by clicking on the subscribe page.  Or you can sign up directly by filling out the form on this page.

And if you’re interested in riding or teaching riding, please visit my other blog, The Riding Instructor at http://theridinginstructor.net/