MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 119 



the left hand, take the reins in the right hand, pass thera 

 together over the crownpiece, make two or three turns around 

 the hridle, then pass the bight between tlie brow band and 

 crownpiece and draw it snug. 



The bridle is liuug up by the reins or placed across the sad- 

 dle on the blanket. 



If the horse has no halter on, unbridle and push the bridle 

 back so that the crownpiece will rest on tlie neck behind the 

 poll until the halter is replaced. 



187. Stand to horse: At this command each trooper places 

 himself, facing to the front, on the near side of the horse, oppo« 

 site his head, and takes the position of attention, except that 

 the right hand, nails down, grasps the reins, the forefinger 

 separating thera, about 6 inches from the bit. The bights of 

 the reins rest on the neck near the pommel of the saddle. 



188. To lead out: The troopers being at stand to horse, to 

 leave the stable or picket line, the instructor commands: LEAD 

 OUT. 



Each trooper, holding his right hand well up and firm, leads 

 his horse, without looking at him, to the place designated by 

 the Instructor. 



189. Upon entering the riding hall or inclosure the instructor 

 disposes the troopers upon a line at intervals of 3 yards, the 

 troopers at stand to horse, the horses correctly disposed and 

 perpendicular to the line of troopers. 



A horse is correctly disposed when he stands squarely on all 

 four feet, having his head, neck, and body in line. 



190. Stirrups: The stirrups are properly adjusted when, the 

 trooper being properly seated with the feet removed from the 

 stirrups and the legs falling naturally, the tread of the stir- 

 rups is about 1 inch above the top of the heel of the shoe. 



The stirrups should bear only the weight of the lower ]eg; 

 about one-third of the foot should be inserted in the stirrup, 

 so that the ball of the foot rests on the tread, the heel lovv'-r 

 than the toe. 



The fiat of the stirrup strap should rest against the Ifr^ of 

 the mounted trooper. To accomplish this the trooper's toe 

 should be so inserted in the stirrup as to place the front 

 branch of the latter on the outside. By the front branch of 

 the stirrup is meant the forward branch as the stirrup hangs 

 before the trooper mounts. 



