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2008-10-19

Old Baldy: 1863

"October 1863. "Culpeper, Virginia. Gen. George G. Meade's horse, Baldy." Wet plate glass negative, photographer unknown"

http://www.shorpy.com/node/4536

"I like the idea that the picture is putting into my head, that Old Baldy is about to undergo some "training," wearing a surcingle and side reins, which would have been used on a lunge line to give the horse exercise without the burden of a rider. It helps them find their own balance and develop back muscles that can atrophy after long hours under a rider. Good to think that his "people" were thinking about that, as sometimes it seems horses were simply tools."

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