17th Duke of Yorks Royal Canadian Hussars Shabraque Horse Blanket

The 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars Shabraque Horse Blanket is a historical military equestrian accessory associated with one of Canada’s prominent cavalry regiments. Traditionally, a shabraque is a decorative and functional cloth covering placed over a horse’s saddle, used by cavalry units to protect the saddle and display regimental insignia. This example features construction typical of late 19th to early 20th-century Canadian cavalry regalia, utilizing heavy wool or felt and bearing distinctive regimental colors and insignia. The design often includes ornate trim, embroidered badges, and regimental identifiers specific to the 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars, reflecting the unit’s British heritage and Canadian service. Such horse blankets were used during parades, ceremonial occasions, and formal mounted duties to enhance uniformity and regimental identity. Items of this kind offer insight into cavalry traditions and regimental dress of the period, representing both practical and symbolic elements of military history.