“American Military Horsemanship” by J. Ottevaere

by Barbara Ellin Fox

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of riding in America, I suggest that you get a copy of James A. Ottevaere’s “American Military Horsemanship“, as it is one of the most informative books on the subject. The topic of the book is the military seat of the U.S. Cavalry.

James Ottevaere covers 150 years of military horsemanship in America from right after the Revolutionary War until the dismounting of the Cavalry in the ’40s. He compares the manuals and training guides that were used and the changes that were made in both the size and existence of the cavalry. J. Ottevaere also goes into no small detail about the equipment that was in use.

J. Ottevaere explains clearly how the balanced seat developed in “American Military Horsemanship” page 63: “The new American military seat would discard the notion of a single or universal position and posture for the rider in all types of military riding, and would instead prescribe adjustments that would accommodate the relative changes in the balance and center of gravity of both the horse and rider while in motion, at various gaits, and over obstacles and jumps. This would require a seamless blend of several methods of equitation and riding, the chief of which was the incorporation of the principals of natural balance and the forward seat , which would also become known as the “balanced seat”. This seat enabled the rider to maintain a position that was balanced at all gaits and sought equilibrium with the horse, without getting ahead or falling behind the horse’s motion.”

James Ottevaere supports his text with many helpful period photographs from his own collection.

American Military Horsemanship is turned into a solid teaching tool with the addition of “Horsemanship and Horsemastership: Education of the Rider”.

This book is a must read for any serious student of horsemanship. “American Military Horsemanship” by James Ottevaere is published by Author house, Bloomington, Indiana, 2005. It can be purchased through Amazon or you can purchase a signed copy through the Cavalry Club by right mouse clicking the title of this blog. Enter the Cavalry Club at your own risk!

This book is good reading, good education and good history.

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