MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 97 



troubles but rarely pays much attention to tlu)se of others, or to instruc- 

 tions given in a general way as he is inclined to assume that the re- 

 marks are of course in no way aimed at him. 



Equitation instructors can increase the efficiency of their work by 

 getting their classes out on ihe drill field promptly. Remember that, 

 given good instructions, a man's ability to ride is pretty nearly in 

 direct proportion to the amount of time spent on the horse — and the 

 time we have with these men is \ery sliort. Don't keep a whole class 

 waiting at the stables while you show .some late arrival how to fold his 

 blanket and bridle his horse; leave an X. C. O. to do that and let them 

 join you later. 



One of the best means of getting the "limber waist" is the use of 

 suppling exercises (Pars. 261 to J83, F. A. D. R.). These exercises 

 should be given just as well without the saddle as with it. These 

 exercises should last only a few minutes, and be given several times 

 during the ride. They will bring excellent results in limbering up the 

 rider and giving him confidence and also serve to break the monotony 

 of the ride. 



Teach the man to keej) the moxement of his body entirely inde- 

 pendent of any movement of his hands. As an aid to this, the men may 

 be required for a time to keep their hands in light contact with the 

 horses withers, each trying to keej) at all times, and regardless of the 

 movements of the horse, the same light feel of the withers. 



Don't shotit at your men or "bawl them otit."" ]\Iost of your men 

 are anxious to learn and simply need help here and there. Take an 

 interest in each man's case, especially the more backward ones ; make a 

 point of remembering Smith's tendenc}^ to lean forward and Jones' 

 inability to relax his muscles and the next day tell them that you are 

 expecting considerable improvement today from th.em and 3^ou will 

 probably get it. Your own interest will arouse theirs. .\n interested 

 man makes fast progress. And right there — in speeding up that {pro- 

 gress by your own energy and ingenuity — is where your part in this 

 game comes in. Don't mistake the route — real progress will not come 

 by hurr3nng the instruction but by making it doubly thorough 



The correct seat is a very natural one and is not forced in any way, 

 except that the lower leg is prevented from swinging and is ke^t in 

 light but firm contact with the horse's side at all times The rider 

 should take in the saddle a sitting position with the thighs inclined 

 downward, not forced, but stretched only by their own weight, the 

 buttocks being as far forward and as deep in the saddle as possible. 

 In the average horse and rider the slope of the horse's shoulder and the 

 inclination of the rider's thigh should be approximately parallel. The 

 stirrup straps should hang vertically and never inclined forward by 

 thrusting the feet forward ''on the dashboard." The ball of the foot 

 maintains a light, firm, constant pressure on the tread of the stirruo 

 which pressure is secured, not by transmitting some of the weight of 

 the body to the stirrui). but by flexibility of the ankle. Xext to the 

 supple waist, the flexibility of the ankle is most desirable. The heels 

 are always lower than the toes, which are not permitted to turn out 



