The Cavalry Horse and his Pack [Paperback]

Col. John J. Boniface (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 14, 2005

This is quite simply the most important book ever written in the English language by a military man on the subject of equestrian travel. It was designed to be used by the United States cavalry. Yet it differs from traditional manuals in that it has says nothing about drills and everything about horse journeys. If you want to learn how to properly pack and ride a horse over extremely long distances, then you are holding the cavalry man's sacred text in your hands. At the dawn of the 20th century experts were busy predicting the imminent demise of the horse. Mankind's most historically influential comrade would make way for the automobile, cynics said. Yet the young author of this remarkable volume disagreed with the critics. No machine of steam and steel, of cog or cam, no vapor-fed motor, no craft propelled by batteries or boilers would ever successfully displace the horse from our on-going needs, advised Boniface. Part text book, part history book and all inspiration, "The Cavalry Horse and His Pack" is the lasting tribute to the great horseman and talented writer who foresaw the day when horse travel would once again flourish and a book such as this one would be cherished by unforeseen generations of Long Riders, cavalry students and horse lovers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 580 pages
• Publisher: The Long Riders' Guild Press (January 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590481720
• ISBN-13: 978-1590481721
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Travel > Reference & Tips > Cruises

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully thorough and informative equestrian travel manual, July 29, 2005

By 

Marc Hiemstra (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cavalry Horse and his Pack (Paperback)

The Cavalry Horse and his Pack, by Lt. Jonathan Boniface, is a book rich in both history and detail coupled with photographs and illustrations. With 538 pages packed with information it is a wonderful reference book! Though the style of English used is well over a century old, it is refreshing and adds authenticity.

Initially published in 1903 in the day that the cavalry was still strong, it is easily evident that Lt. Boniface speaks to us with authority.

To say that this book is thorough would be an understatement. It is a manual covering a huge range of topics, which are not limited to but do include, the following:

a) a description of horse breeds and cavalry from around the world
b) how to determine a horse's age by teeth
c) shoeing practices & managing horses on long treks
d) picketing, hobbling and foraging techniques of the Cossacks, United States, French and British cavalries
e) fording and bridging rivers with special attention of ways to swim horses (comes with good cautionary advise)
f) fitting a saddle to a horse and packing the military saddle
g) pack saddles and packing techniques for bundles, boxes & bales
h) mule trains and use of a belled mare

As a horse packer for nearly a decade in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I found this book full of useful ideas.

Thank you to The Long Riders' Guild Press for the 2005 reprint!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, and very welcome reprint of a classic, May 3, 2005

By 

Patrick T. Holscher - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cavalry Horse and his Pack (Paperback)

Lt. Boniface's book is a well respected equine classic covering nearly every topic imaginable in regards to horses and horsemanship. While no doubt any dedicated equine fan could fine one or more things to quibble with, it would be difficult to find one who wasn't completely impressed with this text.

There are several books written by Army officers during this period which cover related topics such as this. All of them are excellent. This one is no exception. It covers riding (just before Ft. Riley began to develop what would become the modern military seat), basic horse care, the horse itself, shipping horses, and every topic imaginable.

Boniface's book, which was issued in several editions, has long been sought after by those who are aware of it, and interested in this topic. The equine community is fortunate that The Long Rider's Guild has reissued this edition in a readily availabe format. We at The Miltiary Horse Society, to whom it is dedicated, are very honored that they have mentioned us in the dedication.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Best Book Ever, January 3, 2007

By 

Elizabeth M. Boniface (McKinney, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cavalry Horse and his Pack (Paperback)

This book was written by my father-in-law more than 100 years ago. He was a 1st Lt. in the U.S.Cavalry, serving in the Philippine Islands. It was written for the Army, and considered the finest book ever written on the subject of horses and horsemanship. It was recently re-published by the Long Rider's Guild in England. The Guild is composed of riders who have made a 1,000 mile journey on horseback. They believe it to be the best book written on horses and horsemanship.