Photos wanted: Confederate bits and hoof picks

[VaBill]

Metal detecting is my second favorite hobby to civil war reenacting, now Im combining the two. Im doing research on confederate bits and hoof picks so my farrier/ blacksmith and I can reproduce some for my reenacting unit. Any photos would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

VaBill,My guess would be your not going to find a regulation bit or hoof pick.We have seven horses and each horse takes a different bit. Even with one horse you may have to switch bits to mild to aggressive and then back.(Snaffle to a Kimberwick) With the hoof picks a rider may have used a substitute for a hoof pick a blunt knife or other important item with multiple uses,there is limited space to carry things on horseback. By the way that's me and my horse Jake show name(Swashbucklermcque)No I didn't pick the show name. on a timed jumper's course in Michigan.Jake got second tied with a Russian rider winner was decided on a coin toss.This American Paint Quarter horse is remarkable compete's against 20,000 30,000 dollar Warm Bloods.Jake just misses clearing 5 foot jumps.While I am rambleing, my wife and I traveled to a different area to go trail riding.Any way the trail was narrow and we could hear people talking so we pulled off the trail to let the rider's pass. When the two rider's got close I told them they were safe and neither of our horses kick.I didn't know any of these people the one lady looks at me and says is that Jake? as she rode by. Ron

 

[VaBill]

Ron,
I know what kind of port he rides well with and the style. Ken Knopp has 2 amazing books out on confederate tack. My farrier and I are in the process of haveing molds made to pour the cast iron pieces into. The point in all of this was to be more authentic, I dont have a polyester uniform so why would I want a POS stainless steel bit? I got tons of photos from books just wanted to see what was being dug.

Here I am this spring in Richmond.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Bill,very interresting looks like a lot of attention to detail in the reinactment.Your using a hackamore on your horse? Photo of pictures over my yankee tack trunk. Another photo ballons being launched from the back pasture. HH Ron

 

[VaBill]

No. A federal issue halter, dragoon lead strap, federal 6 buckle bridle, federal buckle on officer reins, stainless steel US pattern bit, private purchase breast strap, Texas hope type saddle, civilian saddle blankets, and civilian saddlebags. All reproductions of course.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Bill, Like I said attention to detail,and a lot of research. Thanks Ron