BUGLES |
BUCKLES |
1775-1908 - The procurement and training of animals for military use has been a function of the Quartermaster Department. Additionally training was done by the respective Cavalry units. 1908 - Congress authorized the Remount Service. They were responsiable to buy and provide initial training, before issuing them to using units. Another function of the Remount Service was supervising the Army’s horse-breeding program designed to raise the quality of horses. World War I - This was the last major conflict in which the United States Army used horses and mules in significant numbers. The Remount Service provided the horses for the Cavalry and other units. 571,000 horses and mules were used during World War I and 68,000 (plus) of those animals were killed during the war years. 1943 - 7th Cavalry dismounted. World War II saw the mechanization of the 7th Cavalry. Motor vehicles took over the Transportation of equipment, personnel and supplies. Mules continued to be used beacause of their ability to negotiate rugged terrain inaccessible by vehicles.
1866 - 1885 - Horses were branded on the left sholder with a US Brand. 1885 - 1914 - The US was branded on the left shoulder, and number of regiment with letter of the company on left hip. 1914 - 1924 - Hoof branding was adopted by WWI and the US was branded on the left shoulder 1924 - 1963 - The Preston Brand System is adopted. Under the system each horse is given a serial number four alph-numeric characters consisting of a letter and three numbers (2" in size). (Example: N533, D441, etc.) The serial number is branded on the left side of the neck close up to the mane. The Preston brand was the horse's serial number and they each horse had a card (5-1/2 x 8 in) that served as their service record and the card followed the horse. When the horse died the card was forwarded to the War Department. 1963 - The branding system was still in use when the last QM Pack train deactivated at Ft. Carson, Colorado.
The horseshoes were the same as used on ranch horses. Each troop had a soldier trained as a farrier (horseshoer) The farrier had to heat the shoes and bend then to fit the horse's hoofs.
![]() ![]() 1866 - 1943 - The saddle for enlisted personnel was the McClellan saddle, this saddle was the one in use (with some modifications and/or improvements along the way) since civil war days. It was fairly light and was made so that you could tie your bedroll and your rain gear to it also a scabbard for your rifle. Western saddle but they are too heavy to be practical for cavalry troops. ![]() Officers rode English saddles, and most officers had one or two of their own horses and were cared for along with cavalry mounts. Submitted By: Maj Bill Richardson - 7th Cavalry Regiment 1940 |