MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 135 



HARNESSING AND UNHARNESSING 



A g^ood driver should be able to harness and unharness when blind- 

 folded. 



TO HARNESS BY DETAIL IN THE FIELD 



Note — (Details will be completed on off horse first. The following- 

 order will be strictly adhered to in harnessing and unharnessing. After 

 the completion of each detail candidates will stand to heel). 



By Detail Harness 



1. Collar: Breast collar (horse tied to wheels) untie halter rope, slip 

 collar over horse's head. Do not try to unbuckle any of the straps on 

 the collar. If wheel collar, slip both neck yoke, neck strap and body of 

 collar well up under horse's throat. This will allow collar to slide on 

 easily. When collar is on, tie halter rope to wheel. 



2. Bridle: Take crown piece in left hand, end of reins in right hand, 

 slip reins over horse's head with the right hand and place gently on his 

 neck ; shift crown piece to right hand. Place left hand from rear on bit, 

 between the check pieces so as to spread the bit apart, thumb to left, 

 forefinger or middle finger to right, back of hand down. Gently insert 

 bit in horse's mouth. (Do not force it under any circumstances). If 

 horse does not open mouth, insert thumb in his mouth and open it for 

 him. Buckle throat-latch, being sure that it is loose. 



3. Saddle : Take blanket of the off horse grasping at center of double 

 folded edge wuth left hand, forefinger between folds, thumb on top 

 pointing to right, right hand at other end of blanket, thumb on top 

 point to left, forefinger underneath, lifting blanket from saddle hold 

 out in front, and examine blanket to see that you have it in middle. 

 Bottom edges should coincide. With fingers in same position toss 

 blanket over right shoulder, one edge falling over shoulder and arm to 

 the rear, other edge remaining to front. Place blanket on horse so that 

 forefinger on left hand is on withers and forefinger of right hand on 

 center of back. This insures that center of blanket is in center of 

 horse's back. Slide to rear several times to smooth out hair, last move- 

 ment to rear bringing fold of blanket on withers. Smooth out all 

 wrinkles. Grasp pommel of saddle with left hand, cantle with right 

 hand, approach horse from left rear, lift saddle well up and place gently 

 on horse's back, being careful that none of harness remains between 

 the saddle and blanket. Fasten collar straps (this is very important). 

 Pass to rear putting back strap and crupper in place, fasten crupper, 

 being careful to prevent hair getting caught between crupper and dock. 

 Pass to off side and let down cincha and off stirrup. Straighten out 

 saddle and blanket. Pass to near side and pass flat of hand between 

 shoulder blade and sidebar so that there is a distance of three fingers 

 between point of shoulder blade and end of sidebar. Run left hand back 

 up down withers to raise blanket slightly on the pommel arch, to pre- 

 vent wither pressure. Let down cincha strap. Fasten cincha in man- 

 ner prescribed in Par. 2.?8, D. & S. R. F. A. Let down the near stirrup. 



