Guidelines for Safety of Mounted Interpreters

1.         Mounted Interpreter Coordinator.

The Event Sponsor should appoint a Mounted Interpreter Coordinator (MIC) for the event.  The coordinator must be present at the event where horses are used to coordinate with mounted personnel from both sides. The MIC should be a senior mounted re-enactor, preferably a Dragoon Officer, since most horses will be in the dragoon camp.

 
Responsibilities of the MIC:

• To assure that each mounted interpreter is aware of safety rules.
• To attend any meetings to ensure the scenarios suggested are safe and practical.
• To be involved in arranging scenarios and advise and suggest ways to use dragoons and mounted re-enactors to their fullest abilities.
• To be a mediator in any discussion or problems between mounted troops and other branches of the Army.
• To have the final say if there is a question with a scenario on whether it may or may not be safely implemented.
• To be aware of the activities of all the horse when possible, advise on any problems that may come up and de-brief afterwards to find ways of avoiding any problems in the future.
• Communicate with all mounted interpreters, prior to the event, that a Coggins Test has been performed within 6 months prior to the event on all horses attending.
• To ensure those horses attending comply with any additional state required tests (i.e. Rabies).
• To obtain from the Event Host, a list of all Mounted Line members for distribution of information.
• The person appointed to this position would not necessarily be the senior dragoon officer but should be a person with experience in all aspects of horsemanship as they relate to re-enacting. He must be able to communicate with all the mounted personnel using complete impartiality. He must be very aware of the ongoing and changing situations that can occur while on the field and be able to act swiftly to solve any problems.

2.         Unit Commanders.

Unit Commanders are ultimately responsible for inspecting horses and mounted troopers from within their membership.  This is not the responsibility of the MIC.  It is the C.O. (Commanding Officer) who should know his men, their horses and their abilities and it is the C.O. who bears the responsibility of what his men should and should not do.

When a new rider joins a unit or a current member brings a new horse to an event, the C.O. must assure to the community that he is ready to go on the field. It is suggested that at his first event, the new rider or rider with a new horse should stay on the perimeter, be given simple duties, and be assigned to his own C.O. or another experienced horseman from his unit.  Units will police themselves when they ride together and the C.O. will make the MIC aware of any issues his unit may have.  This method should increase the standards of horsemanship within units and therefore increase safety standards.  Unit Commanders should also make the MIC and the event organizers aware of any scenarios they have practiced, which may enhance the battles, so they may be incorporated into the day’s events.

Duties of unit commanders:

• Assure OR Oversee that all his mounted members are correctly uniformed & accoutered, and that all mounted members are well versed in their appropriate drills both on horseback and on foot.
• Assure that all mounted members are well versed in the safe use of their weapons.
• Communicate to the MIC that each mounted member is qualified to participate on horseback on the field.
• Strongly suggest that only calm and tractable horses are brought to events.

3. Horses and Rider:

It is suggested that riders own their own horses.  However, continued leasing or training with an un-owned horse is acceptable if the rider and horse can prove their abilities to the MIC.  Unless the rider is very familiar with a horse, that horse/rider combination should not be allowed to participate.  A strong rapport between horse and rider is the most important factor to ensure safety on the field.

All riders must be able to walk, trot, canter, stop and turn their mounts maintaining complete control.  All riders participating in field maneuvers and tactical weapons demonstrations must be able to control their horses while subjected to all aspects of re-enactment environment (ie. Muskets, drums, fifes, smoke, flags….)

RESTRICTIONS:

• Riders must not ride over or near casualties. Always chose a safe distance to others.
• Riders must not charge between enemy troops that are formed close together.
• Riders must remove themselves from the field if the horse gets uneasy and retire to a safe area.
• Riders must travel at a walk when passing through crowds.

HORSES:

Horses brought to events should be calm and tractable animals, and must not panic when exposed to gunfire, military music, flags, flashing sabers, etc.

It is essential that only horses fit for service will be used at events.  Horses that are lame, sore, sick, undernourished or exhausted will be determined unfit for service.  The MIC in conjunction with the owner of the animal in question will make this decision.  If agreement cannot be reached, a veterinarian can be called to resolve the issue.  The MIC will examine all animals at the beginning of each event/day to be sure of observable soundness and general fitness for service.

Levels of Riders:

The following 3 levels are suggested to help unit commanders determining the riding abilities of each mounted member.

All riders who have performed at events in the past will be placed at a level based upon prior performance.  The rider will be allowed verbal input on the placement as well as being able to show his abilities at an upcoming event.

All new members to the Line would start at Level 1.  However, a member showing an unacceptable level of control at an event will be asked to remove the horse from the field or encampment area until it can be shown that the horse and rider can perform. Rider level acknowledgement should be the responsibility of the unit commander.

Level 1 - Novice

A new rider will start at this level until they can show higher abilities and control.  At this level, the rider must show control of their mount at an event with all aspects of event activities going on around them and their mount.  These activities should include, but are not limited to, drumming, music, musket firing, cannon firing, flags flapping, smoke, crowds etc.  The rider will be restricted to perimeter activities during the tactical engagement.  The rider will be able to perform courier duties as long as they are away from the engaging troops and the public.  The rider must always be in an area where they can easily get back to a safe place off the field.

Level 2 - Intermediate

Rider must be at Level 1, plus show the ability to mingle well with other horses.  The rider must be able to control their mount near the encampment area.  The rider must be able to ride onto the battlefield and maintain control of their horse.  A rider at this level would be able to use pistols and carbine but not come into direct contact with anyone.

Level 3 - Experienced

Rider must be at Level 2 plus show the ability to control their mount using a sword with another rider.  A rider with these abilities can perform close order maneuvers using their sword in prearranged engagements.  A level 3 rider would be able to perform all aspects of battlefield engagements.

4.         Weapons Demonstrations

a.         Use of carbines (or other firearms) while mounted OR on Horseback

The use of carbines on horse will be demonstrated only by those who have the experience to control their horse while firing from the horse (Level 2 and 3).  A maximum load of 90 grains will be used.  Minimum carbine range is 30 yards.  Extra caution will be taken while using carbines on horse due to the fact that the carbine, while hanging, can swing and injure the rider, the horse or someone else.

b.         Use of Pistols while mounted OR on Horseback

The use of pistols on horse will be demonstrated only by those who have the experience to control their horse while firing from the horse (Level 2 and 3).  A maximum load of 60 grains will be used.  Minimum pistol range is 20 yards.  Pistols will not be fitted with a flash guard since the flash guard can get hung up in the pistol buckets.

c.         Hand to Hand Combat (saber to saber) while on Horseback

This is the area of demonstrations, which will involve the most serious considerations for safety.  It is imperative to have a meeting before any engagement.  Mounted Interpreters from both sides should ride together and rehearse any scenarios that they will be engaged in.  This gives both sides an opportunity to evaluate their opponents’ horses and riders, solve any foreseeable problems and ensure that everyone is aware of the safety rules.  The MIC and the appointed British Mounted liaison should coordinate this meeting and drill.  If someone for any reason misses this meeting and drill, it will be up to the MIC to decide whether or not that person can participate in the day’s activities.  The MIC has the final say in this decision.  Any appeals may be brought to the Sponsor.

All opposed horsemen must be paired off in advance of any engagement.  Paring off can be done by verbal acknowledgement with experienced pairs. (i.e. Fred and Harry always pair off and agree to do the same at this event). You may be paired off with more than one opposed horseman, but you may only engage one at a time.  If you have not paired off with a particular horseman, you must not engage him.

The approach for saber clashes can be done at a charge, but the riders will bring their horses to a controlled walk or slow trot at a safe distance from the opposing rider before making any contact.

Any contact with sabers will be done ‘flat of blade, to flat of blade’.

The amount of contacts will be limited to 3 at each passing.

Suggested Guidelines for Events Hosts
Safe Utilization & Authentic Interpretation
of Mounted Interpreters

As with the infantry and artillery, mounted Interpreters will have two options for camping: 18^th C. & Modern.  The 18^th C. camps will be living history exhibits and based on period methods of castrametation for horse troops.  Horsemen electing to camp & keep their horses in the 18^th C. camp must be sure that all their horse keeping equipment (brushes, picks, buckets, feed bags etc.) are authentic to the period.  Modern horse keeping equipment must be kept out of site at all times. 

At no time will horses be left unattended in any camp!

Riders are responsible for their own feed and hay.  Do not rely on the event sponsor for items unless previously arranged.  Any hay bales used are to be broken up.

It is suggested that consideration should be made to have the Modern Camp set up to allow for vehicles with horse trailers and modern horse care equipment.  Consideration should be made to have room for erecting pens at the trailers.

Shade must be available in both the 18^th C. & Modern Camps.  It is also essential that all horses have resting places that are cool and reasonably insect free.

At the end of an event, the camp should be cleaned, policed and inspected by ALL mounted interpreters to assure the site is left in a condition agreeable with the site management.

EVENT SPONSOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contact a horseman and invite him to a walk through early in the planning
• Always let a horseman determine whether or not a site is horse friendly
• Provide ample room for horse camps based on troop returns.
• Horse camps should be located in shaded areas.
• Horse camps must have a few trees with the underbrush cut back so that tether lines can be strung from tree to tree.  In general, 1 or 2 horses per tether line between trees.
• Trees at the edge of a field usually are not suitable for tether lines because usually they are riddled with stone walls or heavy underbrush.. Trees must be at least 25-30 apart and have clear ground between them.
• In the event suitable trees are not available for tether lines, sturdy poles will need to be set.
• Poles should be 3” diameter hardwood (or 4” x 4”). Set 3’ into the ground with 7’ above, 20’- 25’ apart. A posthole digger must be available. If this is not possible, notify the horseman so other arrangements can be made.
• Ample amounts of potable water must be available at a rate of 15 gallons per horse per day.
• It would be beneficial for the site to supply additional fresh hay or at least know of a nearby source
• Some horses require stabling for the evening. It would be beneficial for the site coordinator to help horseman find a local barn (farm) with indoor stalls. Satables within 5 or 10 miles is reasonable for trailering horses to and from the event. Usually local stables will provide stalls at a small fee per night ($10-$15) or sometimes free.
  
• Any site rules that are more stringent than Standing Guidelines of The Continental Line must be communicated to the Membership of The Continental Line for review before The Line approves sanctioning for the event.

 
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