(first published in the September 2025 issue)
by Andrew Dangel
The sounds of creaking leather, rattling chains, rolling wheels, and the fall of hooves announce their presence. You look up to see dozens of horses trotting toward you, along with outriders in blue uniforms directing drivers and their teams of horses. As they pass on the dirt road, drivers on the near horses flick their whips, helping direct the teams around the corner. The six-horse team pulls a limber carrying a shiny brass cannon weighing over a ton. This is not 1862, but 2025, and you have just witnessed one of the premier living history groups, 1st Section, portraying a battery of United States artillery during the American Civil War.
I have been reenacting in various capacities and time periods for 34 years, with about two decades of that involved riding in one way or another. Historical horsemanship, especially for those of us on the more authentic side, is no simple task. Reenacting is not an inexpensive hobby, especially when considering the costs of horse ownership and tack. These factors contribute to the challenge of finding highly authentic riders at reenactments, putting the historic display at a disadvantage as horses were vital to society and armies throughout history.
Riding horses at public facing historic events has some pitfalls the riders must be aware of. Unlike most other equestrian events, the public who attend living histories may have never been close to a horse before. It is up to the reenactor to make sure both the public and horse are safe (not to mention fellow reenactors). It takes a special horse to be an appropriate mount as they must possess unique skills that can sometimes be different than those sought in history. These include training with the equipment required, comfort around gun fire, and predictability around both the public and other horses..
Historic tack was not always as safe as modern equipment and finding appropriate tack can be a challenge. For my historic medieval knightly tack, I custom ordered a tree from Poland in order to build my saddle. I have chosen not to ride with a medieval bit as they can be incredibly harsh. It is up to each historic rider to decide where to draw that line.
The rewards are exceptional. The 1st Section reenactors portray American Civil War artillery, with horses to draw cannon, battery wagons, and traveling forge in addition to the officers and buglers necessary for the system to work. Not only is it amazing to see the teamwork this requires, but many riders have retrained Standardbreds off the track and given them a new career. My own trusty warhorse is a Maryland off the track Thoroughbred who loves charging down the tilt with lance or sword. Having horses at historical events serves as a reminder of the essential connection between horses and people throughout most of our history.
How can you see such groups or participate? Several sites in Maryland feature mounted reenactors. Antietam National Battlefield, as well as sites in Pennsylvania and Virginia, have hosted 1st Section. Riders portraying American Revolution dragoons attend events in Pennsylvania at the Brandywine battlefield as well as in Virginia and the Carolinas. There are some national groups who portray the famous African American cavalrymen, known as the Buffalo Soldiers, that attend parades and formal functions around the country. I have a group in central Maryland that meets every two months or so to practice medieval combat arts. Reach out to your local historic site and see what they have to offer.
Happy riding!
— Andrew Dangel owns Legacy Spring Farm in Poplar Springs where he lives with his wife, two daughters, five horses, several sheep, some ducks, and a herd of rescue dogs.
