There can be no compromise on drill. Drill is mandatory. Without it you become a danger to yourself, others around you, your horse and yourself. We drill as often as we can and that is not enough. Unfortunately, to our families, its just about right. This hobby is both a learning process for you and one for your horse. It is also a team effort. In battle, the original cavalrymen trained, drilled and fought together as team. Individuality could get you killed in battle. Each one of your fellow cavalrymen not only had assigned tasks, you depended on them to do their job and they depended on you to do yours. The 8th Texas Cavalry depends on you and you on them in very much the same way today. In drill each must know what the other is doing, on the field each must be where he should be in order for the other to be where they should be. In a re-enactment, all must maneuver together as we all depend on the other to accomplish our goal. When it all comes together, there is no greater feeling than the one obtain by working as a team and accomplishing a goal. We do compete, but not with each other. We don`t care if one of our troopers can out ride out shoot or out drill the other. We do wish to out ride, out drill and out shoot the other cavalry commands in our hobby. However if we don't, That's ok too as by competing we tried our best and there is always another day. We are cavalrymen.

We use Cook's Cavalry manual for both our mounted drill. It is one of the few manuals that covers everything from files to evolutions of the line for division size cavalry. It use and study could become a life long conquest to the cavalry enthusiast.

Reenactments

We require our members to drill with us before they participate with us in a reenactment. This allows both horse and rider to become acquainted with the rest of us and us with them. Its too late to find out your horse is gun shy when its spooked at a dead gallop at a reenactment. Most horses can be taught most all of the cavalry requirement to reenact in time. We have many saying in the 8th Texas Cavalry so here's another one. "If doesn't feel safe then it's probable not... so don't do it." We have had several new troopers back off to the sidelines over the years because of this saying. In fact, we almost insist that they not push themselves or their horse until they are both ready. There is nothing to prove. We are among friends, both four and two legged. We don't want to get hurt and we sure don';t want our horse hurt. It takes some riders several reenactments to get to where they can participate with confidence. It takes some horses quite awhile to grow accustom to the cannon fire, drums, flags, pistol fire, saber clanging and thousands of yelling and screaming reenactors.

Cavalry Competition

At many events this type of horsemanship is growing in popularity. There are usually a few targets to shoot at, a saber course and occasionally a few jumps. The rider is judged on accuracy first and then speed. The good combination usually wins. There are two or three classes. One for the novice and one for the more experienced. Once is a while they'll have one for very seasoned riders. These can really show off the rider and horse's abilities and are reminiscent of the old original cavalry competition. We in courage our cavalrymen to participate but it is not mandatory.

Horse Tack

We recommend quality tack. Poor quality tack can get you hurt, make the horse sore, and cost almost as much as quality tack. Buy a reproduction saddle made on a " modern tree" not an original tree that had been re-covered. You may save a few dollars using the original tree, however, it will often sore and gall the horse, which will cause the horse to reject the saddle and possibly eject the rider. Buy your tack from a sutler that uses harness leather impregnated with tallow and mutton and guarantees his work.

We suggest you buy the saddle, bridle and bit, halter lead strap, rosettes, surcingle, saddle blanket, and linking strap in one purchase. Yes, it is expensive, but they all have a purpose and are used in conjunction with each other. The breast strap, saddle bags, and crupper should be second. The carbine socket, carbine sling, and pommel bags should be purchased as the need arises.

Picket line procedure

All of the company horses will be located together on the picket together whenever possible. All horses will have hay and access to water. Each trooper will be responsible for his own horse. Horses on the picket line will be feed together in a feed bucket at the same time. If a feed bucket is not used the horse will be removed by the owner and feed separately by its owner at the same time as the other horses are being fed. Camp will be set up as close to the picket line as possible and a watch will be maintained at night. All halter ropes or lead lines will be secured in a fashion that will secure the horses but allow quick release. The picket line should be high enough to allow the horses mouth to touch the ground but no lower.

Part 1: Horses Comes First..