Federal Cavalry Tr ooper Holding Horse. During the American Civil War, Union army guidelines for cavalry horse selection mandated animals be at least 15 hands high, weighing minimally 950 pounds and aged between 4 and 10 years old, and be well-broken to bridle and saddle. Animals were to be dark colours and free from defects such as shallow breathing, deformed hooves, spavin, or ringbone. 1:30 Scale Metal Figure.