130 MANTJAL FOE ITONCdMlCISSIONED OFFICERS. 



Being at stand to horse, upon any preparatory command, 

 except for mounting or securing horses, iinsliug tlie rifle from 

 the belt ring and take the position of order arms, removing 

 the snaffle reins from the horse's neck and passing the right 

 arm tlirougli them if necessary. 



If a command to secure horses is given, link or couple first 

 and then unsling the rifle. 



To mount, proceed as without the rifle. When seated in 

 the saddle, grasp the rifle at the bolt with the left hand, barrel 

 to the front, place the butt of the rifle in the bucket, steady- 

 ing the latter with the left foot if necessary and take the 

 position of the trooper mounted. 



To di.'^niount : At the preparatory command, seize the rifle 

 at tlie bolt with the left hand, give it a quick, forcible pull, 

 lifting the butt from the bucket, and let the rifle hang from 

 the belt. 



(For troops armed with equipment corresponding to the 

 McClellan saddle.) 



254. At stand to horse, the rifle is held on the left side of the 

 trooper in a position con-esponding to order arms (par. 93). as 

 modified by substituting the word left for right wherever the 

 latter occurs. 



In leading out. and on all occasions when the trooper lends 

 his hoi;se for short distances, the rifle is carried at the left 

 trail (par. 108) unless otherwise prescribed. 



255. In mounting, the rifle is inserted in the scabbard after 

 the trooper steps back opposite the girth and before he takes 

 the reins in his right hand (par. 191). 



On dismounting, each trooper, after placing the bights of the 

 reins on the horse's neck, and before stepping forward to take 

 the position of stand to horse (par. 192), takes the rifle from 

 the scjibbard and assumes the left trail. A modification of this 

 provision applies when the trooper dismounts for inspection. 

 The rifle is never carried on the saddle when the trooper is 

 dismounted, except as specially authorized at inspections, 

 with the equipment corresponding to the McClellan saddle 

 (par. 262). 



256. Inspection of arms and equipment, mounted. — It is as- 

 sumed that the troopors before being formally inspected 

 mounted and under arms, will have advanced in elementary 



