American Military Horsemanship: The Military Riding Seat of the United States Cavalry, 1792 through 1944 [Paperback]

James Ottevaere (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2005

During its time the United States Cavalry grew from a few squadrons of dragoons scattered across a vast frontier to what would become, by the end of the American Civil War, the largest body of mounted troops in the western world. During the post Civil War years the Cavalry would again become a small, but highly affective, mobile force charged with protecting American westward expansion. At the close of the 19th Century the United States would fight its first "foreign war" away from the protective shores of the United States. The Cavalry, although it would play only a minor role in the "small war" with Spain, would emerge as the mounted arm of a newly anointed world power. It would train its troopers to be excellent soldiers, competent horsemen and journeymen riders, mostly, in that order. How its troopers were taught to ride and how they sat a horse is the story of American Military Horsemanship and the American military riding seat.This term, "military seat" as it is often used today has various descriptions and meanings. The purpose of this book is two-fold, first it is intended to clear away some of the misunderstandings of the "military seat" and to explain its evolution in the context of United States Cavalry history, as it evolved through the end of the horse Cavalry era at the close of World War II. There is also a second, underlying purpose to this book. That is, to present to young riders, inexperienced riders, and accomplished riders, as well, the riding style and teaching methods that shaped United States Cavalry horsemen into the mid-20th Century, a style that would eventually evolve into a uniquely "American" military seat. A riding seat that is often misunderstood, yet is in wide use today and is as useful to modern horsemen as it was to the Cavalrymen of the last century.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The author is a long time rider, certified riding instructor and a student of horsemanship. He is the retired Captain and Division Commander of the Macomb County, Michigan Sheriff Department's Mounted Division. He is also a certified crowd management instructor, a certified mounted police instructor and a certified show judge.He has been a student of the United States Cavalry and a collector of Cavalry saddlery, horse equipment, uniforms, training materials and artifacts for many years. Items from his extensive collection have been featured in many reference books and periodicals on Cavalry related subjects.This is his second book. His first book, Simplified Mounted Drill and Crowd Control Formations, for Mounted Police Units, has become a basic text book for many professional and auxiliary mounted police units.He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the United States Cavalry Association, Library and Archive Foundation, located at Fort Riley Kansas, a founding member of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade association and a charter member of the Society of the Military Horse. He is active in teaching horsemanship, and writing and lecturing on United States Cavalry topics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (November 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420855522
• ISBN-13: 978-1420855524
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #816,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Than You Need to Know, July 18, 2007

By 

L. M. Hellie (Vancouver, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: American Military Horsemanship: The Military Riding Seat of the United States Cavalry, 1792 through 1944 (Paperback)

Very interesting book, but only for someone who is very knowledgeable and dedicated to US Cavalry history; including the evolution of the cavalry saddle and the equitation goals of the US Cavalry during the period between WWI and WWII. Very detailed information but is limited to calavry riding techniques and does not include any information regarding other necessary cavalry skills such as saddlery, blacksmithing, use of weapons while mounted, cavalry tactics or use of pack animals in conjunction with cavalry movement.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have!, June 20, 2007

By 

Derek Ottevaere "Cavalry Buff" (San Fernando Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Military Horsemanship: The Military Riding Seat of the United States Cavalry, 1792 through 1944 (Paperback)

A truly comprehensive account of American Horsemanship and the riding seat. The author comes across very articulate and easy to read. As a beginner in the realm of cavalry history this book has helped me form a strong foundation from which to grow. I would recommend it for the advanced to beginner cavalry buff.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars U.S. Cavalry, nuts & bolts, saddles and reining too., January 18, 2008

By 

K. James "horsecavalryman" (Palmer Lake, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: American Military Horsemanship: The Military Riding Seat of the United States Cavalry, 1792 through 1944 (Paperback)

If you could only read one book about "how to US Cavalry" this should be it. A treasure for the "horsemastership" as well as its copious illustrations. These were truelly "Centaurs" of their time and we ride today in their shadows. Wonderful insight and depth of facts and whys as well as glimpse from a time when armed man on horseback was a force to be reaconed with. Well written and truelly a treasure.Origins of Equitation detail is worth the price alone, as is photo on page 120.