118 MANUAL FOB NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



The service saddle, model 1912, should be hung on a bracket 

 sufficiently wide for the saddle to rest on its side bars. If a 

 narrower support is used, the saddle will rest on the low point 

 in the leather seat and become misshapen. 



TO PUT ON AND TAKE OFF THE BIT AND BEIDOON BRIDLE (MODEL 



1909). 



184. Before bridling the curb chain is unhooked on the near 

 side The instructor commands : BRIDLE. 



Take the reins in the right, the crownpiece in the left hand ; 

 approach the horse on the near side, passing the right hand 

 along his neck ; slip both reins over his head and let them 

 rest on his n^ck ; take the crownpiece in the right hand and 

 the lower left branch of the curb bit in the left hand, the 

 forefinger against the mouthpiece, the snaffle bit above and 

 resting on the mouthpiece of the curb bit ; bring the crown- 

 piece in front of and slightly below its proper position ; insert 

 the thumb into the side of the mouth above the tush ; press 

 open the lower jaw and insert the bits by raising the crown- 

 piece ; with the left hand draw the ears gently under the 

 crownpiece, beginning with the left ear ; arrange the forelock, 

 secure the throatlatch, and hook up the curb chain on the 

 near side below the snaffle bit. 



The bridle is adjusted as prescribed in par. 302. 



The throatlatch should admit four fingers between it and 

 the throat. 



185. At the discretion of the instructor, the halter may be 

 taken off before bridling, the reins being first passed over the 

 neck; the hitching strap, if not left at the manger or picket 

 line, is tied around the horse's neck ; if the horse be saddled, in 

 the near pommel ring, 



186. The instructor commands: "UNBRIDLE. 



Stand on the near side of the horse ; pass the reins over 

 the horse's head, placing them on the bend of the left arm; 

 unhook the curb chain on the near side; unbuckle the throat- 

 latch, grasp the crownpiece with the right hand and, assisting 

 with the left hand, gently disengage the ears; gently dis- 

 engage the bits from the horse's mouth with the left hand by 

 lowering the crownpiece ; place the crownpiece in the palm of 



