Customer Reviews

The Cavalry Horse and his Pack

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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!

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.

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.

Excellent information in this book. My only complaint is that several of the photos, especially those of the saddle and pack are too dark to see the detail.