MANITAI FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 117 



and see that the blanket is smooth, return to the near side 

 and push the blanket well up into the pommel arch; reach 

 under the horse, seize the girth with the left hand and bring 

 up its free end to the near side of the saddle; with the right 

 hand raise the saddle skirt and buckle the girth straps to the 

 corresponding buckles of the girth, beginning with the forward 

 strap, lower the saddle skirt and let down the stirrups, begin- 

 ning with the right stirrup. The girth should ordinarily be 

 about 4 inches in rear of the point of the elbow. 



182. To approximate the length of the stirrup straps before 

 mounting, they are adjusted so that the length of the stirrup 

 strap, including the stirrup, is about 1 inch less than the 

 length of the arm, fingers extended. 



TO UNSADDLE. 



183. The instructor commands: UNSADDLE. 



(a) (McClellan saddle.) Stand on the near side of the 

 horse ; unbuckle and remove the surcingle ; cross the left stir- 

 rup over the saddle ; loosen the cincha strap and let down the 

 cincha ; pass to the off side, cross the right stirrup, then the 

 cincha ; pass to the near side, cross the cincha strap over the 

 saddle; grasp the pommel with the left hand, the cantle with 

 the right, and remove the saddle over the croup and place it 

 in front or rear of the horse as may be directed, pommel to 

 the front ; grasp the blanket at the withers with the left hand 

 and at the loin with the right, remove it in the direction of 

 the croup, the edges falling together, wet side in, and place it 

 on the saddle, folded edge on the pommel. 



If in the stable, place the saddle on its peg when taken off 

 the horse. 



(b) (Service saddle, model of 1912.) Stand on the near 

 side of the horse; cross the left stirrup over the saddle; raise 

 the saddle skirt with the left hand, and with the right un- 

 buckle the girth straps, beginning with the rear strap; let 

 down the girth ; pass to the off side ; cross the right stirrup 

 and then the girth over the saddle ; pass to the near side, 

 grasp the pommel with the left hand, the cantle with the 

 right, and remove and dispose of the saddle as prescribed 

 in (a). 



