PD_Caisson Ceremonial Tack_as of 26JUN25.pptx

Tack Purchase Description U.S. Army Caisson Detachment Horse Tack Package

Neck Pad Back Strap Crupper Tail Piece Breech Loin Strap Yankee Strap Trace Martingale Hippo Strap Brake Strap Neck Strap Breast Collar Components of the tack Johnson Strap Strap Hanger

Rosette Blinder Cheek Strap Nose Band Winkerstay Winkerstay Strap Browband Chinstrap Throat Latch Crown Piece Components of the Bridle (12x Headstalls Per Set)

Concept Overview - Lead

Concept Overview - Swing

Concept Overview - Wheel

Martingale No change to most recently received order.

Padded portion of the strap will be 14 inches long centered on the strap It will be 42 inches long when affixed at the tightest adjustment hole on the looped.

It will have one open end that secures with a buckle for attachment to the breast collar and one looped end for attaching to the girth.

6x per tack set

Brake Strap

28 inches long from the end of the brass buckle to the other end of the brass buckle as photographed below.

A leather keeper should be sewn in 3 inches inside the edge of the leather on either side.

Neck Pad

Extending from either end of the neck pad are 14-inch leather straps used to connect the neck pad to the breast collar.

Five adjustment holes run evenly spaced along the neck pad straps starting at 2.5 inches from the tail end to 8 inches.

Neck Pad retaining strap

.75 inch wide, 34-inches long strap with a brass buckle on one end with a leather keeper 1.5 inches 10 adjustment holes run evenly spaced along the neck pad straps starting at 2.5 inches from the tail and in increments of 1.5 inches between holes.

CHANGE REQUIRED to most recently received order.

.75 inch wide, 34-inches long strap with a brass buckle on one end with a sewn in leather keeper 2 1 free moving keepers 10 adjustment holes run evenly spaced along the neck pad straps starting at 2.5 inches from the tail and in increments of 1.5 inches between holes.

Breast Collar

49 inches long and consists of the molded leather front reenforced with nylon backing.

Wheel and Swing have four reenforced steel D-rings at the ends of the breast collar Lead has two reenforced steel D-rings at the ends of the breast collar for attaching traces All breast collars have two centered reenforced steel D-rings and a center ring for attaching the martingale strap.

All breast collars have two upward facing “tug ups” for attaching the neck pad straps.

The horse side of the breast collar will have hook and loop fastener running the length of the breast collar for affixing padding.

4x Swing/Wheel per tack set 2x Lead per tack set

Tail Piece

4x Swing/Wheel per tack set 2x Lead per tack set No change to most recently received order.

Swing and Wheel tail piece will have a Brass ring with four, 29 inch straps each having 10 adjustment holes in the tail end of the strap and one forked Crupper strap 16 inches in length.

Lead tail piece will have a Brass ring with two, 29 inch straps each having 10 adjustment holes in the tail end of the strap and one forked Crupper strap 16 inches in length.

Tail Piece Pad

Backstrap pad will be 9 inches in length with .5 inches of padding to provide protection for the horse under the tail piece

Back Strap

No change to most recently received order.

1.25 inch wide, 36-inche long strap with a brass buckle on one end with a leather keepers 15 adjustment holes run evenly spaced along the neck pad straps starting at 3 inches from the tail and in increments of 1.5 inches between holes.

Crupper

Padded U-Shaped leather piece measuring 8.5-inches from the center of the apex to the end of each buckle

Loin Strap

62-inch leather strap with 6 adjustment holes at each end.

There will be a centered hole centered horizontally measuring 1.25 inches wide for a leather strap to fit through.

Strap hangers

16x per tack set

12-inch leather loop strap with a brass buckle and box keeper.

Breech

4x per tack set

No change to most recently received order.

60-inch padded leather strap Four leather “tug ups” consisting of a brass ring and 9-inch leather strap topped with a brass buckle and box keeper.

Yankee Strap

8x per tack set

CHANGE REQUIRED since most recently received order.

87-inch nylon reenforced leather strap with a brass buckle.

Sewn in keepers on the top side starting 1 inch from the brass buckle. 1 sewn in keeper on the Back side of the strap at 12 inches from the brass buckle Adjustment holes starting 2.5 inches from the tail end of the strap running in 1.5 inch intervals 40-inches 24-inches from the tail

Hippo Strap

CHANGE REQUIRED since most recently received order.

75-inch x 1.25-inch nylon reenforced leather strap with a 4-inch brass buckle.

Sewn in keepers on the top side starting at the brass buckle.

8 adjustment holes, starting 2.5 inches from the tail end of the strap running in 1.5-inch intervals

Wheel Trace

No change to most recently received order.

77-inch nylon reenforced rolled strap for attaching wheel horses to the Caisson One sewn in black matte, quick release shackle at the end of each side

Swing/Lead Trace

8x per tack set

No change to most recently received order.

114-inch nylon reenforced rolled strap for attaching lead and swing horses to the wheel horse and wagon One sewn in black matte, quick release shackle at the end of each side

Near Reins

No change to most recently received order.

115-inch x .5-inch as measured from bit-to-bit, leather The end of each side will be looped and able to secure with both buckles facing out, away from the horse.

Off Reins 3x per tack set

110-inch x .5-inch as measured from the longest line to the end of the tail.

Y-shaped leather allowing 60 inches from the outside line to the junction of the Y, and 50 inches from the junction of the Y to the end of the tail.

The inside line is 57-inches from the junction The end of each side will be looped and able to secure with both buckles facing out, away from the horse.

Coupling reins

3x per tack set

63-inch x .5-inch line attached to a 27-inch bit strap used to connect the off horse to the near horse’s saddle.

Y-shaped leather allowing 60 inches from the outside line to the junction of the Y, and 50 inches from the junction of the Y to the end of the tail.

The inside line is 57-inches from the junction The end of each side will be looped and able to secure with both buckles facing out, away from the horse.

Bridle- Cheek Strap, Blinder, Winkerstay and strap 12x per tack set Cheek Strap:

CHANGE REQUIRED since most recently received order.

20 19-inch strap with 5 4 adjustment holes starting 2-inches from the tail end of the bit attachment end.

Loops to a centered brass buckle positioned in the middle of the strap

Blinder:

No change to most recently received order.

6”x5” blinder attached to the top 3/4 of the Cheek strap Top/Outside corner of blinder is attached to the Winkerstay

Winkerstay and strap:

No change to most recently received order.

Winkerstay is15-inches in length connecting the two blinders together with the Winkerstay strap attached in the center to connect Winkerstay to the Crownpiece Winkerstay strap is 7 inches in length with adjustment holes running the length of the strap.

6” 5”

7”

Bridle- Throat Latch

25.5 inches long rolled leather, measured from the end of the brass buckle to the other end of the brass buckle as photographed below.

Bridle- Noseband

Change from previous order: seven adjustment holes 31-inch strap with seven adjustment holes on each end and a padded portion in the middle Padded portion of the strap will be 15 inches long centered on the strap There will be seven adjustment holes separated in 1-inch increments starting 2.5 from the end on each side

Bridle- Browband

No change to most recently received order.

19-inch strap with two 2.5 inch loops on each end for the crown piece to fit into and a padded portion in the middle Padded portion of the strap will be 14 inches long centered on the strap

Bridle- Crownpiece

Change from previous order: remove forward taper and make straight 25.5-inch strap molded to the contours of a horse’s ears with a forked end on each side and a padded portion and Winkerstay buckle in the middle.

Padded portion of the strap will be 9 inches long centered on the strap Each side will have two 8-inch straps with four adjustment holes starting 2.5-inches from the tail and running in 1-inch increments Winkerstay buckle will be centered facing forward towards the front of the horse.

Bridle- Chinstrap

CHANGE REQUIRED since most recently received order.

9-inch strap with one buckle and keeper on each end, a padded underside, and a brass ring swen in the middle.

Padded portion will extend the length of the strap.

Brass ring will be sewn in the middle of the chinstrap for attaching horses to lead ropes.

Bridle- Rosette

56x per tack set

2-inch round brass US Army Cavalry Officer Bridle Rosette positioned faced vertically when worn on the bridle

Final Product Requirements Final Ceremonial Tack Set must include all modifications listed in this PD.

Ceremonial tack will consist of leather and brass and training set with the same dimensions and composition will be made of BioThane or similar synthetic like material and Nickle.

Tack Components List for one (1) set of tack Caisson needs one (1) set of ceremonial tack and two (2) sets of training tack

Previous Tack Purchase Description

Purchase Description

Contents Previous Tack Purchase Description Required Modifications to Tack (Based on Previous Ceremonial Tack set Received) *One set of ceremonial tack has been received based off the purchase description submitted. However, certain modifications are needed based on the needs of the unit. These specific modifications are included at the end of this purchase description to show the changes that must take place from the first set to this new set being required now.

New tack assessment BLUF: This harness is well made will work for our purposes, but it will require a block of retraining for the Soldiers to appropriately tack horses to the wagon without causing injury. At end state, this new tack will significantly reduce the rate of injury previously caused to the horses by the old tack.

There are modifications needed to this tack to appropriately fulfill the mission. In writing this, I’m assuming that this tack will be a universal size, and through adjustments to the straps and buckles we will be able to resize this for use with any horse in the herd.

We sized the prototype tack to fit three horses: Samson (medium), Gunther (large), and Jameson (small).

The breast harness fit all three MWEs well by adjusting the ways in which we tightened the yoke collar. Highlighted farther into the presentation I’ve provided pictures with the adjustments that would be necessary to fully use this on every horse.

The rear breeching fit well on the Medium and Large horses but wrapped around our Smallest horse too far. This can be a limiting factor of positioning horses as with the new setup we will need to have a full rear breeching on the Swing and Wheel position horses opposed to the previous standard of only on the Wheel horse. This can be corrected in two ways:

1) Small horses will only be used in the Lead position never be Swing or Wheel that way they only need the loin and rear hold up carriers and not the full breeching body.

2) Smaller sized rear breeching can be made for certain horses to accommodate the smaller size if they are placed in the swing position.

The Swing and Wheel horses will need the same tack setup. The lead horses do not need a full rear breeching and could utilize the loin and hip straps.

Yankee D Ring harness modification The biggest change to the setup of the new tack will be the way that the Swing/Lead horses' traces connect to the wagon. Our recommendation, supported by Jim, Chester, and Martin, is to transition away from the quarter straps, previously used to attach breeching to martingale, and towards a modification of the “Yankee D Ring” style harness. This change is necessary if we transfer the Swing/Lead traces to the collar tugs.

If we run the traces to the collar tugs as the prototype harness requires, and the Swing horse engages in their breast collar, it will pull the breast collar of the Wheel horse away from their body. By implementing the Yankee strap (also known as a Side Backer Strap) we can hold the breast collar of the wheel horse against the rear breeching and transfer the weight pulled into the traces of the Wheel horse.

* Would like to add 6 inches to the Yankee Strap. It’s maxed out while on the Large wheel horse.

* Would like more keepers for the center of the Yankee Strap

Bridle Adding blinders to the bridle has been a universally agreed upon positive. The adjustability of the bridle allows for use for most of the horses.

Blinders need to be an inch longer to block the peripheral vision of our larger horses.

Remove Muzzle strap

FIX WITH NEW

Breeching Simple construction

Adjustability holes running up the straps to accommodate all horses.

Plain Box keepers minimum 4 inches long to accommodate storage of excess straps.

Yoke Strap

Hippo Strap

Yankee Strap

Crupper

* Adding holes all the way up to the split would enable adjustability for our small horses.

Traces

* Recommend that we make traces 1 foot shorter. This would enable us to add chain or connector links the end to have adjustability in length. We had to tie a knot to make length appropriate.

* Traces need to be removable from the breast collar.

* Would like for the Traces to attach to a ring similar to the Yankee Strap ring.

* The trace strap should be on the outside of the Yankee Strap, away from the horse. A dual ring setup in that position would work well.

Horse Prototype Tack Measurements

Breast Collar to neck pad Jameson (Small body horse) 28 cm.

Samson (Medium body horse) 36 cm.

Gunther (Large body horse) 38 cm.

Traces Swing to wheel on prototype harness Center of breast collar to D-ring on wheel horse: 330 cm Center of breast collar to trace attachment D-ring : 35.5 cm

Wheel to wagon Center of breast collar through end of trace quick release : 256.5 cm Center of breast collar to trace attachment D-ring : 35.5 cm

Yankee strap (breast collar to breeching) Jameson (Small body horse) 68 cm.

Samson (Medium body horse) 90 cm.

Gunther (Large body horse) 96 cm.

Front Hip strap Jameson (Small body horse) 66 cm.

Samson (Medium body horse) 69 cm.

Gunther (Large body horse) 70 cm.

Rear Hip strap Jameson (Small body horse) 58 cm.

Samson (Medium body horse) 66 cm.

Gunther (Large body horse) 68 cm.

Saddle to Spider ring Jameson (Small body horse) 29 cm.

Samson (Medium body horse) 32 cm.

Gunther (Large body horse) 34 cm.

Bridle Jameson (Small body horse) Bridle can be adjusted to fit.

Blinders fit well.

Brow band too large Samson (Medium body horse) Bridle can be adjusted to fit.

Blinders fit too short.

Brow band fit well Gunther (Large body horse) Bridle can be adjusted to fit.

Blinders fit too short.

Brow band fit well

Required Modifications to Tack

Add 10 holes to Yankee strap

Adding 10 holes will allow us the ability to tighten the Yankee Strap to any horse we have.

Johnson strap clip

Adding a clip to one end of the Johnson Strap will allow us to easily clip the Johnson strap to the saddle and have to make large daily adjustments.

Example Brass snap clip

Johnson strap increased strength By using the same size and strength strap as the neck pad we can increase the strength of the Johnson Strap significantly. In the event a horse pulls the breast collar away from the rear horse, the larger strap will prevent the Johnson strap from breaking under load.

Add Lever snap to one side of the Yankee strap Adding a lever snap to the Yankee strap will allow it to be attached from the breeching to the breast collar without having to route the leather every time you tack the horses.

Example brass lever snap

Extend the Crupper straps and add holes up the length Extend the Crupper straps 3 inches of adjustable space on each side to allow for sizing to larger horses and add holes up the length of the strap to allow for sizing to smaller horses.

Add more adjustment holes Add 3 more inches of length adjustment holes Each hole is 1 inch from the previous. Add 3 inches of adjustments so we can size to any horse.

Make neck yoke straps more adjustable Add holes to allow for shortening the length of this strap for horses that are smaller

Add more adjustment holes

Add clip to martingale to clip into the girth Adding a clip to one end of the martingale will allow us to easily clip the strap to the girth and not have to make daily adjustments.

Example Brass snap clip

Cheek strap length Cheek straps need to be lengthened two inches to allow sizing to a bigger horse.

Last current hole Additional requested adjustment hole Additional length requested to be able to tuck tail of cheek strap Cheek strap adjusted to loosest hole and is too tight in the mouth

Add one adjustment hole to nose band Adding one inch of adjustment on each side of the nose band straps would allow us to adjust size for a larger horse.

Nose band unable to be secured without adding additional holes

Near rein requirements Near reins are used on the “near” horse that is being ridden.

Reins are 115 inches from bit to bit.

Buckles both face out away from horse.

Coupling rein requirements

Coupling reins run from the bit of the “Off” horse to the saddle of the “Near” horse and allow the rider to control the un-ridden horse.

21 Inches

The ring connection for the running line is centered on the coupler

The length of the running line can be shortened to 35 inches and lengthened to 65 inches

Coupling reins run from the bit of the “Off” horse to the saddle of the “Near” horse and allow the rider to control the un-ridden horse.

Outside rein is 3 inches longer than inside rein Off rein requirements The total length of off reins is 110 inches from longest line to the end of the tail.

Outside rein to junction is 60 inches. Junction to end of Tail is 50 Inches.

Neck pad ring Add a brass ring on neck pad to allow for the attachment of a retaining strap connected to the saddle. This allows for the addition of a strap that would hold the neck pad in place if a horse lowered their head.

Example Brass D ring

Blacken the silver parts Making the silver parts of the tack black from delivery would be an aesthetic option. Typically, we would use silver rings and paint them black daily. Over time this led to a non-ceremonial appearance and would require hours of cleaning paint off and re-applying.

Add a second keeper to Johnson-strap

Remove patterns from keepers Use a plain black box keeper

Less keepers on tailpiece assembly Removing excess keepers allows for the back strap to be pulled closer to the saddle for correct placement of the tailpiece assembly

Remove

Keep

Remove quick release keyrings on traces Quick release keyrings got stuck on things multiple times and had to be removed to prevent unwanted release of traces.

Our solution, but still poses risk of getting caught

Potential solution provided by Mr. Weber

Secure tail of Yankee strap Adding a fixed keeper 12 inches away from other keepers would allow for securing the excess tail of the Yankee strap when it’s tightened for a smaller horse.

Keeper location

Final Product Requirements Final Ceremonial Tack Set must include all modifications listed in this PD.

Training Tack Components List:

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