HOME ABOUT US CONTACTS & ORDERING PRODUCTS   SADDLES   SADDLE ACCESSORIES   BRIDLES   HALTERS   BAGGAGE & FORAGE   HORSE FURNITURE   KNAPSACKS   ACCOUTREMENTS LEATHER & LEATHER CARE SADDLE FITTING 7-YEARS WAR REVOLUTIONARY WAR WAR OF 1812 AMERICAN CIVIL WAR  Contact Us:         Stuart Lilie, Saddler         130 Mansfield Rd.         Ashford, CT 06278         info@stuartliliesaddles.com         (860) 208 3111	Products - Saddles - 1756 Light Troop Saddle
	In 1756 a Royal order attached light dragoon troops to eleven dragoon regiments, much like infantry regiments created light companies in 1771. By order, dragoon colonels issued leather caps, short carbines with slings, linking head collars, and other items that became typical light dragoon accoutrements. The saddlery for the new light troops was a lightened version of standard dragoon equipment.       Much like light infantry companies wore cut down coats, the 1756 light dragoon saddle was a cut-down heavy dragoon saddle. There was considerable variety in 1756 light troop saddles, as each colonel carried this order out to his preference. Private and regimental saddlers cut the square skirts of the heavy dragoon saddles into the shape of civilian or jockey's saddles.       This saddle rides very much like the heavy dragoon saddle it was based off of, with a nice firm dressage seat. The savings in weight over the heavy dragoon is appreciable and this saddle excels when galloping cross-country and jumping.       While general orders removed light troops from dragoon regiments in 1763, colonels gradually replaced the old troopers' saddles with the light troop saddle through the 1760s and 1770s. In 1788 the Board of General Officers ordered it as the standard pattern for all heavy dragoons and household cavalry. The Forbes' papers also indicate that this type of saddle was used by some Virginia light horse troopers on the 1758 campaign against Fort Duquesne. The exact number or issuance of these saddles is not yet clear, but this saddle type probably popped up quite a bit, especially in the early years of the American Revolution. This pattern of saddle remained in use well beyond the Eighteenth century; it was the basis of the Prussian Englisch Sattle of the Napoleonic Wars.     Saddle only: $1925 (Please specify cantle or no cantle.) Saddle Accessories for use with this saddle: 18th Century Holsters with Straps: $300 Goatskin Holster Flounce: $40 English Dragoon Breastplate: $111.25 English Dragoon Pillion: $155 Crupper: $57.25 Stirrup Leathers, pair: $108 English Dragoon Stirrups, pair: $150 Single or Double Cloak Straps, set of 3 Single: $56.50 Double: $87.25 2 Worsted Girth Straps and 1 Worsted Circingle: Market Price Dragoon, Butt Down Carbine Bucket, with Wrist Strap: $155.00 Light Dragoon, Muzzle Down Carbine Bucket with Wrist Strap: $130.50