124 MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICEES. 



of the saddle will tend to assist the trooper in avoiding the 

 defect just referred to. If the buttocks are thrust back too 

 much the trooper can not conform to the movements of the 

 horse and carries forward the upper part of his body. 



If the thigh is too nearly horizontal, the trooper is doubled 

 up and his power of action diminished; if the thigh is too 

 nearly vertical, the trooper is on the crotch and lacks ease. 



To sum up: The trooper should take a relaxed sitting posi- 

 tion, squarely on his buttocks, with the thighs inclined down- 

 ward. 



The various defects of position are overcome by suitable 

 sui)pling exercises (pars. 209-220). 



200. The aids. — The legs, the reins, and the weight are the 

 means of controlling the horse in riding. They are called 

 the aids. 



201. The legs: The legs serve to urge the horse forward, to 

 increase his pace or gait, and to engage the hind quarters or 

 move them laterally. The legs act by the pressure of the 

 calves. If pressure alone is insuftlcient the trooper increases 

 the action by blows with his calves. 



It is essential to obtain from the horse perfect obedience to 

 the action of the legs. He should respond to the simultaneous 

 and equal action of both legs by engaging his hindquarters 

 and moving forward; to the predominant action of one leg by 

 moving his haunches to the opposite side. 



202. The reins: The reins serve to prepare the horse to 

 move, to decrease or increase his pace, to change the gait, or 

 to change direction. 



Contact is a light bearing of the mouth of the horse on the 

 hand of the rider. It sliould be constantly maintained. 



The reins are held in the full hand, the thumb pressing 

 thein lightly upon the second joint of the forefinger. By 

 means of closing and relaxing the fingers and fiexing the 

 wrist, arm, and shoulder, the trooper, while maintaining con- 

 tact and keeping the reins taut, follows easily the movements 

 of the head of the horse without anticipating or ioterferin'^ 

 with these movements. The hand is then said to be passive. 

 It is kept so as long as the trooper is not required to change 

 the pace, gait, or direction. 



