106 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



To Mount: Being- at stand to horse, Mount. 



(a) Face to the right, drop the right rein, grasp the left rein in the 

 right hand, take two steps to the right, sHding the hand along the. left 

 rein, make a half face to the left when opposite the girth; with the aid 

 of the left hand take both reins in the right, forefinger between the 

 reins, the right hand on the pommel, the reins coming into the hand on 

 the side of the forefinger, and held so as to feel lightly the horse's 

 mouth, the bight falling on the off side. Place the left foot in the stir- 

 rup, assisted by the left hand if necessary, and bring the left knee 

 against the saddle ; grasp a lock of the mane with the left hand, lock 

 coming out between the thumb and forefinger. 



(b) Spring from the right foot, keeping the hands firmly in place, 

 the left knee bent and pressed against the saddle, bring the right foot 

 by the side of the left, pausing a moment, body inclining slightly for- 

 ward ; pass the right leg, knee bent, over the croup without touching 

 it, sit down lightly in the saddle; let go of the mane; insert the right 

 foot in the stirrup, assisted by the right hand if necessary; take a rein 

 in each hand, the rein coming into the hand under the little finger and 

 passing out over the second joint of the forefinger, the thumbs closed 

 on the reins, the bight of the reins falling to the right. 



The reins should be so held that the rider feels lightly the horse's 

 mouth, the fingers closed until the nails lightly touch the palms of the 

 hands ; the reins well up in the crotch of the fingers ; the backs of the 

 hands vertical and in prolongation of the reins ; the hands about 9 

 inches apart. 



The instructor takes care that the recruit in adjusting the reins 

 provokes no movement of the horse and deranges in no manner the 

 position of the horse's head. 



The instructor cautions the rider to avoid touching the horse with 

 the left toe in mounting; this fault begets nearly all the resistance of 

 horses to standing quietly while being mounted. 



To Dismount: Being halted. Dismount. 



(a) Seize the reins with the right hand in front of and near the left, 

 forefinger between the reins, the reins entering the hand from the side 

 of the forefinger, drop the reins with the left hand ; place the right 

 hand on the pommel ; grasp a lock of the mane with the left hand, the 

 lock coming out between the thumb and forefinger; take the right 

 foot out of the stirrup. 



(b) Rise upon the left stirrup, pass the right leg. knee bent over 

 the croup without touching the horse, and bring the right foot by the 

 side of the left, pausing a moment, the left knee against the saddle, 

 the upper part of the body inclined slightly forward ; descend lightly to 

 the ground and take the position of stand to horse. 



The riders are also trained to dismount on the right side. Command- 

 ing officers may authorize the following alternative method of mount- 

 ing and dismounting by officers and enlisted men on all occasions 

 except those when it is required that mounting and dismounting be 

 executed in unison at the corresponding command. Instruction in 

 the methods authorized in this paragraph is optional. 



