Cavalry on the wheel-trot

[Captain Blood]

Interesting photo I snipped from the newspaper a few days ago. Not something you see every day... Real cavalry on the move.
These are Household Cavalry exercising in London's Hyde Park, performing a 'wheel-trot'. I find it quite a compelling image - you can begin to imagine what it might have been like having a few hundred horsemen like this thundering towards you.
Interesting to see that even at a modest trot, the troopers' helmets are starting to slip around and they are visibly hanging on / straining to exercise control. Most of them look slightly concerned and are obviously concentrating - although one or two of them do look like they're enjoying it



It's a cracking photo and I'd love to credit the photographer, but I now can't find it again...
Pretty sure it was in The Times online. But with its abysmal navigation, it's almost impossible to find anything again after a few days have elapsed

[Harry Faversham]

Reminds me of watching horse racing once on tele, one of the big flat races with about 30 horses in it. The camera was facing directly down the track as they set off, on what looked to be perfectly flat ground. they were on the left hand rail, then the entire shebang slowly disappeared into a fold in the ground. I watched with great interest now, for the heads of the riders to pop back up. They did and the entire herd reappeared, on the right hand rail.
30 charging horses had vanished then popped back up, thundering toward me, in a totally different place!

[jon_1066]

That doesn't look like a trot.  In a trot alternate legs are lifted from the ground in diagonal pairs.  You can clearly see multiple hooves off the ground.  They are either cantering or galloping.  Looking at their positions in the saddle I would think it looks more like a canter.  But certainly going at a good lick.  The wheel-trot description sounds like a red herring (ie whatever they are doing it is much faster than a trot)

[Captain Blood]

Fair enough.
That was the term used by the photographer - if only I could find the article again 
Maybe he heard the order given...
Maybe the horsemen on the outside of the wheel are at a canter and the pivot man is at a walk, so overall they term it a trot?
I just thought it was interesting to see actual live cavalrymen on the move. Wasn’t looking to debate different modes of equine locomotion

[Ogrob]

Quite interesting that they would practice these kinds of things. Back in the day I did my military service in the Royal Horse Guard here in Sweden, but we only rode at a walk as part of ceremonial formations. Trott and canter were practiced only as in a regular riding lesson, never like in the photo. The only part of the ceremonial gear we trained to use in combat situations were the m1895 carbines.

[robh]

........you can begin to imagine what it might have been like having a few hundred horsemen like this thundering towards you.........

Finest Cavalry in the World 

Sadly, can't fit a few hundred on the screen, how about 44 of them?

[fred]

It’s a great photo

The riders and horses are very dynamic, even I might say chaotic in some of the movements.

The riders are doing this one handed, while keeping their sword on their shoulder, which can’t make things easier.

And its only 10, and they look like a solid mass come towards you. Hard to think what hundreds would look like. (I see rob has had a similar thought!)

[Blackwolf]

I dare say that some of the younger troopers are getting their hours up,the chap at the front looks much more confident. Weirdly I can smell the photo,horses and tack tho’ the hard work involved is mind boggling...

[Scrubber]

That as a wheel, poor chaps on the outside must have had the go like the clappers.

I’ve been in a 400 strong wheel on foot and we messed that up several times.

[Sterling Moose]

I was an extra in a Bannockburn documentary many years ago.  One of the things we had to do was form a schiltron while about 10 heavy armoured knights charged at us, only wheeling off at the last minute.  Obviously camera trickery made the small number pretty impressive.  The ground shook as they came towards us, it was so easy to see how effective charging cavalry could be.

[Daeothar]

Pretty cool picture indeed.

The riders on the extreme left and right seem to have vision problems because of the less than ergonomical helmets though; those things look like they were not made for riding at anything other than a walk

As for being on the receiving end of a charge; it is very intimidating indeed, and the more horses involved, the more so. It's all cute at range, then it becomes impressive nearer by, and up close, it's downright terrifying!

When I was much younger, I was once at a football match that got out of hand. When my friends and I left the stadium, a full on riot was taking place right outside the gates, and we were caught smack in the middle of a police charge of about 5 horses while trying to get the heck out of there. I got shouldered out of the way by one and it knocked me right over, even though it was just a grazing hit (the officer on top was swinging his baton at a couple of hooligans on the other side; I just got in the way).

Luckily, no other injuries other than a bruised pride were sustained, but the experience instilled me with a very healthy respect (dare I say fear?) for charging horses...

[Silent Invader]

I was an extra in a Bannockburn documentary many years ago.  One of the things we had to do was form a schiltron while about 10 heavy armoured knights charged at us, only wheeling off at the last minute.  Obviously camera trickery made the small number pretty impressive.  The ground shook as they came towards us, it was so easy to see how effective charging cavalry could be.

I’ve had a similar experience in re-enactment. The ground vibration is foreboding. 

[Scrubber]

You get the same feel on the ground stood by the fence on flat race courses.
Must have been very frightening if your stood in front rather than the side.
Wonderful picture considering most times you see the lifeguards in numbers is walking up the mall on parade.

Right off to eBay I want the old Britain’s lifeguards. Had a few back in 60’s.

[Baron von Wreckedoften]

Interesting to see that even at a modest trot, the troopers' helmets are starting to slip around and they are visibly hanging on / straining to exercise control. Most of them look slightly concerned and are obviously concentrating - although one or two of them do look like they're enjoying it

Possibly this is induction training for the newest recruits, hence the apparent lack of confidence?

In terms of helmet retention, I rather suspect that 100-200 years ago, they would have been more securely attached to the head than the rather "casual" way that chin-straps (and their attendant brass scales) are positioned nowadays - according to regimental tradition of course!

There is a story that, when they were filming the French cavalry charges in "Waterloo" the Soviet Army extras - formed in squares on the reverse slope of a ridge - were so intimidated by the noise and vibration of the approaching horsemen that, even before the "enemy cavalry" had crested the ridge and come into view, the infantry were breaking and heading to the rear (you can actually see it beginning to happen in some of the aerial shots).  All except one square, formed by the Gordon Highlanders who were appearing as themselves.....

[has.been]

I’ve had a similar experience in re-enactment. The ground vibration is foreboding. 

I too had such a re-enactment experience.
The script said that our unit was to advance out of a wood, and upon the officer
shouting, 'Beware the horse!' we were to PRETEND we were frightened & run
back into the cover of the wood.  Used as we were to 'Cavalry charges' that were
4 to 6 ponies it really did come as a BIG shock when about 20 to 30 large beasts
arrived at speed on our flank.  We did not have to pretend at all, but ran very fast
for the cover of the wood. We were praised for our wonderful acting.