Napoleonic mounts

[DaddyO]

Afternoon one and all.
Working on one of the Metal Modelles cavalry figures (Officer of Carabiners in full dress) The box art shows a dark bay horse, but I wanted to paint something different. I know greys were usually used by trumpeters.
My question is did officers always use dark horses in the French heavy cavalry of this era or would they use whatever they wanted ? (in which case a 'flashy' white would show the uniform up nicely)
Cheers
Paul

 

[megroot]

You can find everything about the horses here.
http://www.napolun.com/mirror/napoleonistyka.atspace.com/French_Cavalry.html

Marc

 

[DaddyO]

You can find everything about the horses here.
http://www.napolun.com/mirror/napoleonistyka.atspace.com/French_Cavalry.html

Marc

Cheers Marc - great reference

Confirms what I'd expected - that is, the Carabiniers rode big black mounts early on although Officers in all cavalry regiments had a fondness for the Arabian (as did Napoleon himself) So failing conclusive evidence that a particular Carabinier Officer might have rode a lighter coloured horse I guess I'll stick with black . . . .
Cheers
Paul

 

[Ray Stout]

Carabineers were Horse Grenadiers who were known for the orders that they were to ride large Black Horses over 14 hands tall. Arabians rarely if ever were that big. They were most prefered by Light Cavalry. Ray

 

[Bournouna]

"Carabineers were Horse Grenadiers"

Carabiniers and Horse Grenadiers were two different units. They only thing they had in common, is that they rode horses.

 

[Oda]

Paul keep in mind that Napoleonic armies like all armies were fond of cleanliness and being tidy and all.Flashy white horses are notoriously difficult to keep clean in battlefield conditions.What's even more important is the fact that any officer riding a flashy white horse in a smoke filled battlefield would instantly make himself availabale for target practice for entire enemy regiments.On parade though a white horse (if it did not go against regulations) would and could be desirable especially by high ranking officers.

Oda.

 

[DaddyO]

Paul keep in mind that Napoleonic armies like all armies were fond of cleanliness and being tidy and all.Flashy white horses are notoriously difficult to keep clean in battlefield conditions.What's even more important is the fact that any officer riding a flashy white horse in a smoke filled battlefield would instantly make himself available for target practice for entire enemy regiments.On parade though a white horse (if it did not go against regulations) would and could be desirable especially by high ranking officers.

Oda.

Yep those were my thoughts Oda - definitely the sort of mount to attract attention on the parade ground and one to keep in the stables when getting stuck in
Cheers
Paul

 

[fogie]

While recently researching details about branding horses in the French army, an issue raised itself about horse casualties
after even moderate engagements. The numbers were enormous and delays in supply were a serious problem throughout
the cavalry arm. This all meant that it became common for rival regimental stables to be raided and their horses essentially
stolen by other regiments. So, although it may be a little contrived, it's just possible that your Carabinier might be riding
something irregular. Hope this doesn't confuse the issue....

Mike

 

[ivopreda]

rules said that the Carabiniers rode dark brown / Black horses... in all the period.

Arabian horses were quite rare, expensive and only for important and rich officer...

if you're going to paint a trooper I suggest to do black horses... an officer is a little bit more flexible because he paid for his horses

 

[DaddyO]

Excellent that sounds like enough wriggle room for me to justify a different horse (especially if in full dress)
Thank you gents

 

[Mirofsoft]

Yes white .. and Dylan is Dylan
sorry whight is whight