CHAPTER III. 



EQUIPMENT, ARMS, STABLES, HOKSES, ETC., OF Kl'SSIAN CAVAIRT. 



HOKSE EQUIPIVIENTS. 



All the regular cavalry use the Hungarian saddle ; this will be fully described when treating 

 of the Austrian cavalry, and it is necessary to mention here only that the tree is of wood, not 

 covered, the seat formed by a leather strap about 4 inches wide, nailed to the forks, and secured 

 to the side boards by leather thongs. 



Light steel stirrups are used, the leathers passing through mortices in the side boards. 



The cuirassiers use a swivel stirrup, as shown in the annexed sketch ; it is 

 spoken of as a good one. Crupper and breast straps of black leather. Girth of 

 leather, and fastened by three small buckles ; it passes over the tree and is 

 secured to the side boards by leather thongs. Two leather pouches are attached 

 to the tree. Saddle blanket of stout felt cloth ; four thicknesses are generally 

 used, with a layer of thin black leather on top, the whole secured in form by 

 leather thongs passed through and through ; if the horse falls oif in condition, 

 additional thicknesses of felt are used, and vice versa. The shoe pouches are 

 pockets sewed on to the leather cover of the saddle blanket. 



This felt saddle blanket is regarded by the Eussian officers as the best possible arrangement. 



A small blanket is placed, folded, on the tree, under the schabraque. The schabraque is of 



thick woolen cloth, lined with coarse linen. Surcingle of leather, and fastens by means of ring 



and thong, in the fashion of a Mexican girth. Valise of cloth, not materially different from our 



own. Forage bag of coarse white linen, open in the middle. 



Bridle and hits. — By all the regular cavalry a curb and snaffle are 

 used, both of steel. There are three marked peculiarities in the 

 curb bit : it hooks to a ring at the end of the cheek strap, as showr. 

 in the annexed sketch ; the rings are attached to the branches by 

 means of swivels ; the branches are reversed, that is, their convexity 

 is turned towards the front. 



With regard to the manner of fastening the bit to the head stall, 

 it will be perceived from the sketch that the little ring which is 

 passed through the end of the hook of the branch, and rests against 

 the flat side of the latter, effectually prevents the bit becoming 

 unhooked, unless the ring is raised by the finger. 



The snaffle bit, a plain one without horns, is fastened to the head 

 stall by a chain and toggle, like the centering bits in the United 

 States service. This arrangement of the curb and snaffle permits 

 the men to feed their horses during short halts without incon- 

 venience; the Eussian cavalry officers represent it as being everything that can be desired. The 

 curb chain is of steel, and very heavy. There are three patterns of the curb used, of different 

 degrees of severity. 



