The cavalryman much like the infantryman was issued a lot of gear at the beginning of the Civil War.  The overloaded infantryman and cavalryman found most of his equipment heavy and useless in battle.  They both discarded, lost, wore out or traded their burdens soon after they left for the war.  The list of what the Civil War cavalryman was supposed to carry was long and for the most part unnecessary.  Veteran troopers traveled light and lived off the land as much as possible.  In this article, I will explain what was supposed to be carried and what it was used for.  The Union cavalry was better equipped than their Confederate counter parts and very few of the mounted men on either side actually had all this equipment with them.  There were many discrepancies in the items carried by the Union and Confederate cavalry.  All this variety of equipment was due to sporadic changes, alterations, individual purchases and self outfitted volunteers which created a generous assortment of styles in all phases of cavalry equipment, especially in the Confederate trooper.   Unfortunately, we have little to go on regarding these old models.  Records of details and descriptions are almost totally lacking and the old manufacturing prints are often unreliable.  Many reference books today are in total disagreement with each other too.  Please keep in mind that I am presenting an overall idea of what they may have used and not the undeniable truth as to what actually was used.

What Was Issued.....According to several books, I have compiled a list of what each cavalryman may have been  issued.   Those were the following items:

The Bit....There were many types of bits used but only four types were issued.  The four bits differed from each other in the arch (port) of the mouth piece, and in the distance from the mouth piece to the eye for the cheek strap.  The branches (shanks) are alike below the mouth piece and the distance between the branches (shanks) is 4.5 inches in all the bits.  The type issued most often by the Union was the USA M-1863 (pictured here on right).  This bit was the standard issue of the army until 1873.  The M-1863 bit was issued in four port sizes and had on each side brass rosettes marked "US" or an eagle.  Staff officers in the U.S. cavalry were issued an all brass bit.  The bits issued to the troopers were made of steel or iron just as they are today.  The Confederate cavalry's bit (pictured on the left) was made of iron with large brass side rosettes bearing the letter "C".  The snaffle bit predominated among the earlier southern volunteer groups.  Enlisted men were usually found using single rein bridles and snaffle or plain curb bits.  It is doubtful that the armies of either side authorized any of the big Mexican ring bits but they were used to some extent by individuals at the onset of the war.  Union officers in particular, seemed to have a special fondness for the Pelham bit.  The curb chain (shown in bottom left corner of photo on the left) is a small chain that attaches at the base on either side of the bit.  The curb chain acts as the "brakes" for the horse.  All curb chains were made of brass or leather.  The brass curb chains were issued to officers and the leather ones to all other cavalrymen.

Reins and Bridle.....Both the Union and Confederate cavalry used black leather bridles that consisted of a headstall and pair of reins.  Bridles of that time invariably had narrow headstalls.  The halter bridle is made in such a way as to allow the bit to be removed by way of clips on both sides of the cheek and below the horse's eyes.  When the bit is removed the bridle then becomes a halter.  The advantage of this is two fold.  First, you never lose control of the horse because you don't have to remove a bridle to put on a halter.   The horse can be securely attached to the picket line or tied before the bit is removed.  Secondly, it eliminates the need for an extra piece of equipment.  The reins used by most were of the split type and usually were approximately 6 feet long and 1/2 inch wide.  The cavalryman preferred single reins, though the double rein type with a Pelham style bit was not uncommon.  The drawing on the left shows an Union officer's bridle and reins.  Notice that there are two sets of reins.  This combination of bridle, reins and bit allows the rider to set the horse's head while offering the best control of the animal at any moment.  This type of equipment was usually only used by experienced riders who were well versed in the art of properly handling a horse.

Surcingle....The surcingle is a belt like item that acts like a safety strap to help secure the saddle to the horse in the event that the saddle girth or leathers would break.  It wraps around the entire horse and across the top of the saddle.  It is secured in place by a buckle (just like a belt) on the side of the horse.  It is 3.25 inch wide and eight feet long.  The surcingle is made of blue woolen webbing.  On one end it has a standing loop and a billet on the other.  To put the surcingle on the horse, you lay it across the top of the saddle in the center with the buckle end first on the horse's right.  Pull the surcingle under the horse to the left side and buckle it.  Make sure the buckle will not interfere with your leg when you sit in the saddle.  Run the tong back through the loops.  The photo at the right shows the surcingle from the right side of the horse, the photo at left shows the surcingle's buckle and loops.

Saddle......The popular McClellan (drawing on left shows first type) was not the only saddle used in the Civil War. There were several types that saw a lot of use throughout and even after the war.  Quite a few horned trees were in use in the military from 1861 to 1865.  Many officers preferred them but they were not common among the enlisted men.  Evidently most were of civilian manufacture and personally purchased by individuals.  The Grimsley, Jenifer, Whitman, Dragoon and Campbell were other kinds of saddles that made their way into the first part of the war.  Perhaps the cavalry was using them all more or less simultaneously as part of their general disordered condition at that time.  Most of the early saddles were furnished by contractors who showed a great lack of conformity in their measurements and dimensions.  Their products differed widely.  The Union's newly authorized Ordnance Board was a believer in uniformity.  One of the first objects of its attention was the cavalry saddle.  The decision was made by the Board to determine a single standard saddle model that would eliminate the old mismatched saddles and incorporate the best available qualities in riding comfort, serviceability, and ease for the horse.  General George B. McClellan was assigned to select such a design.  The General's search for the necessary requirements resulted in his recommendation, the following year, for the adoption of a model copied from the ancestor of all military saddles; the ancient Hungarian laced tree.  McClellan made his report to the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis.  The letter, was Dated October 3, 1856 reads in part: "Sir: I have shown to several officers passing through the city, the Prussian cavalry equipment.  All agree that, with certain essential modifications, it would be a better equipment than any we have yet had in our service.  The tree is what is known as the Hungarian.  I would remove all the unnecessary iron with which the Prussians have encumbered it and reduce the height of the cantle."  After recommendations from all concerned, McClellan was authorized to construct the modified saddle at a cost not to exceed $75.  This was approved and on November 19, 1856, McClellan wrote to the Chief of Ordnance, accepting the offer.  Thanks to the general, whose name it now bears, 1858 found the McClellan rig formally introduced into the cavalry.  The photo in the center shows the McClellan with the Confederate style saddlebags, carbine scabbard, pommel holsters, blanket, and in the corner the upper straps of the breast collar.

The standard McClellan saddle (drawing on left) used in the War Between the states was covered with rawhide and had an open seat on 11 to 12 inch trees and weighed only 17 pounds 5 ounces.  It had large, black leather skirts fastened to the tree with brass nails.  Both pommel and cantle were fitted with coat straps and exposed rigging.  Leather hooded wooden stirrups were standard on the saddle.  The web cinch was of blue wool with a latigo ring on the off side and a buckle on the opposite end.  The original design of the McClellan saddle, without extensive care, had some major drawbacks.  If it experienced repeated wetting and drying the rawhide covering would often split and curl.  This problem led to a revised design whose most important alteration was the change to a smooth, leather covered seat and the removal of the big skirts.
Southern cavalrymen were forced to start the conflict with civilian saddles of the English type along with the Jenifer, Shackleford, Mosby, and Stonewall saddles, and continued to use them through most of this period.  The South acquired McClellans for most of their forces later on.

Pommel Holsters.....There were several types of pommel holsters issued by both the Union and the Confederacy.  Officers usually had brass appointments and cups at the end of the holster.  These holsters were actually two holsters connected by a broad leather piece with an oval hole cut in the center.  The oval hole fit over the pommel of the saddle and the double holster set rested one holster on each side of the saddle.  The lower part at the holster where the barrel of the pistol would be was strapped to the breast collar at a slight angle or attached vertically to the saddle rings depending on the rider's preference.  The photo at the right shows a pommel holster set made to fit the LeMatt pistol.  Notice the French influence with the holster's thong closing from the bottom.

Hoof Pick, Horse Brush, Curry Comb and Picket Pin....These things are of course horse care tools.  To some they may seem to be a luxury item for the animal but they were and still are very important to the health of the horse.  The hoof picks pictured on the left  (CSA pick on left; USA pick on right) were used to clean the bottom of the hoof by removing dirt, clay or stones.  The Union hoof pick, which was six inches long, had a small hammer on one end used to drive nails when replacing or adjusting the horse's shoes.  The Confederate pick had two curved pointed ends and was five and three quarter inches long.  Both hoof picks were made of steel.  When used to remove damp rotting vegetation and manure, the hoof pick was instrumental in keeping the foot healthy.  Pictured here on the right are (from left to right) the curry comb, mane comb, brush and picket pin.  The brush kept the horse's back free of dirt and loose hair thus keeping the saddle area clean and minimizing the possibility of a sore back.  The curry comb helped keep the entire horse clean and when used properly, massaged sore tight muscles at the end of the ride.  The curry had a wood handle and was four inches long and four and three-quarter inches thick and made of iron.  Some early articles written about horse care recommended using the curry comb exclusively on the horse and using the brush to clean the hair and dirt off the curry comb.  On rare occasions a mane comb was issued also.  It, of course, was used to remove tangles from the horse's mane and tail.  The picket pin was fourteen inches long and made of iron.  These iron pins were painted black.  When the picket pin was driven into the ground like a tent stake the lariat could be tied through the ring at the top.  These pins were used to picket the horse and hold it in one area while not in use.

Saddle Bags and Coat Straps.....Everyone knows what a set of saddle bags look like but they may not know that the Union army had strict dimensions and specific details as to how they were to be made.  The Union Ordnance Board established uniform standards in 1855.  Several older styles of bags disappeared soon after the black leather model was adopted by the army in 1865.  This type of saddle bag (drawing on left) was the standard Union issue throughout the Civil War and used by the army until 1890.  The most common bags had one buckle and were made of black leather.  The bags were fastened to the center of the saddle behind the rider on the saddle bag stud.  The leather straps just above the top of the bags were fastened to the "D" rings on both sides of the saddle.  The Union army also issued six small one-half inch wide and 12 to 24 inch long straps with belt like buckles were used to tie everything down including bed rolls, pommel holsters, and anything else that needed to be secured.

Breast Collar.....When the war broke out, the army apparently never included any martingales or breast collars in its early issued outfits.  They were not used in the beginning of the Civil War except where certain individuals supplied their own.  Few of the regulars cared to bother with them.  From early to mid 1863, they did gain acceptance and became part of the regular issued tack.  The breast collar is a "Y" shaped piece of tack.  The bottom leg runs between the horses front legs and attaches to the saddle girth.  The upper legs are fastened to each side of the front of the saddle.  The breast collar was useful in rough terrain taking much of the strain off the saddle's cinch and helping to keep the saddle centered.  It also kept the saddle from slipping back when going up steep inclines or jumping.  Officers breast collars had eagles on the center piece where the Confederate collars had hearts.  They were also made of black leather.

Crupper.....Cruppers were generally unpopular, however, they were issued for use in the latter part of the conflict.  Most of the cavalrymen didn't want to take the time to put them on the horse.  The cavalry issued cruppers were made of a single piece and stuffed with hair.  The two black leather straps of the crupper fastened on each side of the rear of the saddle.  The horse's tail was fed through the loop end.  The crupper was adjusted so as to bring the loop snugly up to the base of the horse's tail.  This device was designed to hold the saddle in place while going down steep grades.  The bottom left photo shows the crupper on the horse.  The saddlebags, bedroll, gum blanket and other items usually carried by the trooper have been removed for clarity.  Notice how the crupper is placed snugly at the base of the tail.  In the top photo you can clearly see the adjustment straps and tail loop.
 

Saddle Blanket....The Union saddle blanket was to be made of pure, close woven wool of stout yarns.  It was an indigo-blue color with an orange border three inches wide and three inches from the edge.  The letters US were six inches high and orange in color and to be located in the center of the blanket.  The blanket was 75 inches long and 67 inches wide and weighed a little over three pounds.  The blanket was designed and cavalrymen were instructed as to how the blanket was to be folded.  The blanket can be folded in such a way, if done correctly, as to allow a clean, dry section to be placed on the horses back each day of the week.

Lariat......The lariat was a common one and three-quarter inch hemp rope.  The rope was thirty feet long and had an eye spliced at one end.  The other end was whipped (deadended) with small twine.  This rope could be used for many things but was mainly used to picket the horse either by tying it between two trees or securing it to the picket pin.  The photo at left demonstrates how the lariat and picket pin were carried.  As you can see, the lariat rope is neatly coiled.  Look closely and you will see that the picket pin is already attached to it.  These two items were tied to the back of the saddle by the coat straps mentioned earlier in this article.  In this photo, a gum poncho is neatly rolled up and securely fastened to the back of this McClellan saddle also.  The saddle bags would be attached below the poncho and secured by the saddle bag stud and their straps.

Link......The link strap was, at one end, folded over a spring hook and at the other end, a buckle.  It was used to secure the horses one to another while the cavalry fought dismounted.

Carbine Socket....The socket (pictured on left) or thimble as it was sometimes called, is basically a circular piece of leather two and three-quarter inches wide with a buckle sewed onto it.  The carbine barrel was placed through it to keep the weapon under control but the weight of the carbine was supported by a three inch strap worn diagonally across the shoulder of the cavalryman.  The strap and socket were adjusted to keep the carbine within easy reach of the user.  The socket was supposed to be fastened to the saddles "D" ring on the left side but was most often used on the right side.  The idea was to poke the muzzle tip of the loosely slung carbine into the socket as sort of a steadying measure for the weapon.  In practice, the results were about what might be expected.  The carbine still had a lot of play while the horse was in motion and the cavalryman still had all the weight of the weapon on his shoulders and back.  Just after the war, a short scabbard (pictured on right) was developed and then became standard army issue.  This new style let the horse carry all of the weight of the carbine and allowed more mobility and comfort for the trooper.  Although it is not period correct for Civil War reenactors, it is by far safer and more comfortable to use.  This short scabbard is slung by its single upper strap to the back of the saddle.  The upper buckle strap was buckled around the right-hand rear sidebar ring.  The scabbard although short, was just long enough to permit the lower end to be secured to the off cinch ring.

Nose Bag.....Feed bags were occasionally issued.  The grain is placed in the bag and the bag placed on the horse's nose.  A strap was looped over the horse's ears.  The horse can then eat from the bag with little waste of the grain.  The nose bag consisted of a body of strong linen or cotton duck, the bottom of harness leather, and a head strap.  The height of the bag was 15 inches high and the width was 15 inches at the top.

Lead Line.....The lead line was made of black leather and was one inch wide and eight feet long with a buckle at one end.  It was fastened to the bottom center of the halter and was left in place at all times.  It was used to temporarily control the horse while the rider was dismounted.  If you look closely, the lead line can be seen in many photos of cavalry horses.

Horse Shoes and Pouch.....Although farriers with mobile forges were assigned to the cavalry and artillery, each man was expected to make adjustments, replacements and repairs to the horse's shoes while in the field.  The shoe pouch was black leather, shaped like a horse shoe and would just fit two shoes and a few nails within it.  These pouches were rare.  I have only seen one period pouch and have seen what appears to be a pouch on the front of a saddle in a photo.  I would guess that extra shoes and nails were most often carried in the saddle bags.

References:
Echoes Of Glory
Man On Horseback
Arms And Equipment Of The Civil War
Lords Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia