116 MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



is smooth ; return to the near side, raise the blanket slightly 

 under the pommel arch so that the withers may not be com- 

 pressed ; take the cincha strap in the right hand, reach under 

 the horse and seize the cincha ring with the left hand, pass 

 the end of the strap through the ring from underneath (from 

 inside to outside), then up and through the upper ring from 

 the outside, if necessary, make another fold in the same 

 manner. 



The strap is fastened as follows : Pass the end through the 

 upper ring to the front ; seize it with the left hand, place the 

 fingers of the right between the outside folds of the strap, 

 pull from the horse with the right hand and take up the slack 

 with the left; cross the strap over the folds, pass the end of 

 it with the right hand underneath and through the upper ring 

 back of the folds, then down and under the loop that crosses 

 the folds and draw it tightly ; weave the ends of the strap into 

 the strands of the cincha. 



Another method of fastening the cincha strap is as follows : 

 Pass the end through the upper ring to the rear ; seize it with 

 the right hand ; place the fingers of the le^t hand between 

 the outer folds of the strap ; pull from the horse with the left 

 hand and take up the slack with the right ; pass the end of the 

 strap underneath and draw it through the upper ring until a 

 loop is formed ; double the loose end of the strap and push it 

 through the loop and draw the loop taut. The free end should 

 be long enough to be seized conveniently with the hand. 



Having fastened the cincha strap, let down the right stirrup 

 and then the left. 



The surcingle is then buckled over the saddle, and should be 

 a little looser than the cincha. 



The cincha when first tied should admit a finger between 

 it and the belly. After exercising for a while the cincha will 

 be found too loose and should be tightened. 



(?)) (Service saddle, model of 1912.) Troops equipped with 

 this model will saddle as prescribed for the McClellan saddle 

 with the following modifications: 



Place the saddle on the blanket so that the front edge of 

 the side bar approaches the shoulder blade without pressing 

 upon it. After the saddle has been so placed, let down the 

 girth ; pass to the off side, adjust the girth and saddle skirt, 



