MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 119 



To put the squad in march the instructor designates a driver to act 

 as leader and causes him to take the track ; he then causes the riders 

 to take their places in column of riders behind the leader. 



The instructor limits his explanations to the essential principles 

 for putting the horse in motion and stopping him. 



The riders are restricted to letting their horses follow those in 

 front. 



The instructor is especially careful that the movement of one part of 

 the body does not react on any other part ; for example, that an exer- 

 cise of the right arm does not disturb the left arm nor the position of 

 loins or legs. 



Any movement is proper which engages the driver's attention and 

 leads him to forget that he is on horseback and thereby brings about 

 relaxation. 



The end desired is attained by the frequency and variety of the 

 exercises ; the instructor must carefully avoid prolonging a movement 

 to weariness, which inevitably brings on rigidity. 



He must likewise avoid any movement that would result in lifting 

 the buttocks from the saddle or in sinking the loins and hollowing the 

 back. 



At first the gait should be the walk or the slow trot. The 8 mile trot 

 should not be used. The gallop should be employed very early in the 

 instruction ; it is the most favorable gait for suppling the loins. 



As soon as the riders have acquired a fair security of seat at the 

 trot and have grown accustomed to a fast gait the instructor begins 

 to train them at the first gallop. The first lessons are given on a large 

 circle so that the horses will have less tendency to pull. The riders 

 retain their stirrups until they have gained confidence. The instructor 

 causes them to abandon the stirrups when he believes that sufficient 

 progress has been made. 



As soon as the instructor causes the rider to take the reins he 

 teaches him to keep touch with the mouth of the horse, while leaving 

 the horse the free use of his neck. To do this it is necessary for the 

 rider to follow with his hands the movements of the horse's neck. 



The cadence at the increased gaits is easy to follow with the reins 

 lightly held. In a short time the hand follows instinctively the move- 

 ment of the neck. 



Constant effort should be made to overcome stififness of the arms 

 and shoulders, which is the usual cause for the heavy hand. 



GAITS 



Three gaits are recognized in military equitation, drill, and maneuver, 

 as follows: The WALK, TROT and GALLOP. These, however, 

 are subject to difl'erent rates of speed. Those usually considered are 

 as follows : 



Slow walk: 2>< to 3 miles per hour, 66 to 88 yards per minute. 



Walk (regulation) : 4 miles per hour, 118 yards per minute. 



Walk out: 4 to 5 miles per hour, 118 to 147 yards per minute. 



