ARmy Rumour SErvice

**Walther** · 11-06-2012, 05:15

Historical reasons: In the middle ages kettle drums and trumpets (fanfares) were restricted to the chivalric class and considered aristocrat instruments. A commoner who got caught playing the trumpet would get his front teeth smashed out.
The infantry used pipes and normal drums (snare drums or Landsknecht drums).

**chocolate_frog** · 11-06-2012, 09:51

Front teeth smashed out... sounds grim.

**Tool** · 11-06-2012, 10:39

Offing the hooves - if they are individual as the article suggests, you would need verification of the death of the horse including its number. Rather gruesome "dog tags".

**CaptainPlume** · 11-06-2012, 11:54

Originally Posted by Tool

Offing the hooves - if they are individual as the article suggests, you would need verification of the death of the horse including its number. Rather gruesome "dog tags".

[nowah]

Wasn't the horse's number burnt into its hoof so it could be verified that it was dead?

[/nowah]

Someone above asked if horses were eaten. I know it's fiction, but being Cornwell is likely to have some basis in fact, but in Sharpe's Waterloo Harper cuts a chunk off a dead nag & he & Sharpe fry the steak up for dinner in a dead Frog's cuirass.

**light_projector** · 11-06-2012, 13:19

The hooves also got turned in to ashtrays. I know that from waiting on in the officers mess.

**fairy_nuff** · 11-06-2012, 18:22

Originally Posted by chocolate_frog

You're a gentleman and a scholar.

Just as an aside. Obviously the hoof was lopped off and taken to the QM (or stable guy) for a remount. But what of the rest of the carcass? Was it acceptable to eat teh mount? (excluding lfie nd death scenarios) And if so were other units allowed to eat too?

Did the butcher go to the horse, or the horse to the butcher? And what would happen to a trooper with no foot to swap for a new horse? Say because he was dismounted and horse ran off. Did he have to pay for the hrose, or join the infantry?

I'm a girl and I google if referring to moi. Horseguards closed today as practice for Beating the Retreat.

First world war those horses not brought home (majority) were eaten by the French but then they do that sort of thing

**CaptainPlume** · 11-06-2012, 20:13

Originally Posted by light_projector

The hooves also got turned in to ashtrays. I know that from waiting on in the officers mess.

Snuff boxes, I think, but ashtrays?!?

**light_projector** · 11-06-2012, 20:47

Originally Posted by CaptainPlume

Snuff boxes, I think, but ashtrays?!?

Our officers were an uncouth lot. Seen more class at a bikers' BBQ.

**CaptainPlume** · 11-06-2012, 20:49

Originally Posted by light_projector

Our officers were an uncouth lot. Seen more class at a bikers' BBQ.

Why on earth did the RAF have hoof ashtrays & why on earth were you posted to them

**ex_donkey_man** · 11-06-2012, 21:00

I think that all military horses have a number - it was 4 digits across the back hoof's (3 on one, 1 on the other) then on the front they have a regimental number and the regt (LG or RHG/D). A lot of the soldiers apparently in the old days would sell the horses, so if you said that your horse was killed in a battle, they would ask for the hoof. The farriers spike to to ensure the horse is dead, the blade to cut the hoof off, as you can't sell a horse with only 3 feet!
They've got to boil the hoof to clear the inside out, then they're usually lined with silver, they have them in the NCO's mess as well!
Think drum horses go up to 19 hands, average Cav black is 16 hands 2, biggist LG when I was there was Nelson, at 17 1, but the Blues ahd Quantock at 17 2.

Personally, I've always fancied trying horse meat to eat!

Good picture of the ashtray -