Australian troop horse, full marching order

Study of a bay troop horse wearing a 1902 pattern bridle, 1912 Universal Pattern saddle, and brown saddle blanket. Attached to the saddle is a pair of saddle wallets, greatcoat, rolled grey blanket, and canvas bucket. The side not visible to the viewer would have carried a spare shoe case, mess tins, fodder for the horse and a picketing peg. Note that Lambert has mistakenly painted the bridle with an officer's lead rope (leather end with brass buckle) instead of a trooper's one (no leather end and double ring attachment). A great coat, fodder bag, ground sheet and haversack are attached to the saddle. When troops were moved each man's equipment had to be carried as far as possible on such a horse. The strain on the horses was very great and the Light horsemen had to learn to exercise extreme care in grooming, feeding and loading their horses to keep them in maximum health and strength during the gruelling marches and fierce fighting (Gullett, p. 39).