How the heck do you ride a horse whilst playing a tuba?!

[JollyJunee]

Rewatching the coronation, and was struck as usual by those massive drums on massive horses, and was admiring how the riders do it. But then noticed the guys beside them, horse bouncing along, and they are holding a bloody great big tuba, as they steer a horse, and try to play along.
I mean, it’s very impressive. Doesn’t the mouthpiece bang your mouth?

The narration said the reins are controlled with their feet.
still very impressive though

I thought the same thing. It’s like the extreme version of patting your head while rubbing your tummy, and doing it in time and formation with everyone around you. It’s impressive, if a little bit pointless. I mean, other than fannying about in parades, it’s there a practical purpose to this particular skill set anymore? Was there ever, historically, a practical purpose to it?

Back in the day when cavalry fought on horseback, every cavalry regiment had a band. Not just in the British Army. General Custer's 7th Cavalry took their band to the Little Big Horn.

I heard one of the commentators say that the horses are really well trained at parade walking and don't need as much "steering" as a normal horse.

The reins are attached to their feet so they steer from their feet.
I hardly have enough puff to do a 45 min schooling session on my horse, let alone ride + play an instrument!

I thought exactly the same thing!! They had the instruments, the music and had to control the horse!!

Are they musicians who are taught to ride, or equestrians who learn an instrument? I’d guess the former.

Yes the former

They were the highlight of the parade for my son who plays tuba (but doesn't ride horses)

It was impressive. But I did laugh when he had to pour rain water out of the tuba.

Contact on the reigns only needs to be very light. A lot of control when riding is through the seat and legs. A lot of horses will also respond to verbal commands like walk on or stand. The horses also rehearse and follow each other to a certain extent. If one of the horses went a bit bonkers then the riders around would also be able to grab a rein and help.