MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 1U5 



The instructor commands: L'NURIDLE. 



Stand on the near side of the horse ; jkiss the reins o\er the horse's 

 head, phiciniJ- 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 ri.e:ht hand and. assistin.^- with the left hand, gently disengage the 

 ears ; gently disengage the bits from the horse's mouth with the left 

 hand by lowering the crownpiece ; i)lace the crownpiece in the palm of 

 the left hand, take the reins in the right hand, jjass them together over 

 the crowni)iece. make two or three turns around the bridle, then ]kiss 

 the bit between the browband and crowni)iece and draw it snug. 



The bridle is hung up by the reins or placed across the saddle on the 

 blanket. 



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

 that the crownpiece will rest on the neck behind the poll until the halter 

 is replaced. 



Stand to Horse: At this command each rider places himself, fac- 

 ing to the front, on the neaj- side of the horse, opposite his head, and 

 takes the position of attention, except that the right hand, nails down, 

 grasps the reins, the forefinger separating them, about 6 inches from 

 the bit. The bights of the reins rest on the neck near the pommel of the 

 saddle. 



To Lead Out: The riders being at stand to horse, to leave the stable 

 or picket line, the instructor commands: LEAD OL'T. 



Each rider, holding his right hand well up and firm, leads his horse, 

 without looking at him. to the place designated by the instructor. 



Upon entering the riding hall or inclosure the instructor disposes the 

 riders upon a line at intervals of 3 yards, the riders at stnnd to horse, 

 the horses correctly disposed and perpendicular to the line of riders. 



A horse is correctly disposed when he stands squarely on all four 

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



Stirrups: The stirrups are properly adjusted when the rider being 

 properly seated with the feet remo\'ed from the stirruns and the legs 

 falling naturally, the tread of the stirrups is about 1 inch above the top 

 of the heel of the shoe. 



The stirrups should bear only the weight of the lower leg: 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 lower than the toe. 



The flat of the stirrun strap should rest against the leg of ihe mount- 

 ed rider. To accomplish this the rider'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 stir- 

 ruD hangs before the rider mounts. 



Placing too much weight on the stirrup disturbs the seat and con- 

 tracts the leg. hindering its freedom of action. 



If the toe is not inserted far enough the rider risks losing his stirrups : 

 if inserted too far suppleness is diminished. 



The heel is carried naturally lower than the toe if the ankle joint is 

 not rigid. 



