ISO 



MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 

 Driver's Reins 



Figure 21. Driver holding the reins. 

 Reins of near horse and the end of the 

 lash on off rein, in left hand. Right 

 hand grasping ofif rein between left hand 

 and lead rein roller. End of lash falls 

 on the near side; bight of near reins fall 

 on the off side. 



DRIVING 



In considering driving it is necessary to bear in mind that the horse 

 has but one idea at a time. This fact is a great assistance in making 

 horses do things that they believe they cannot do or do not want to do. 



It is also necessary to realize that the horse is not naturally obstinate 

 and that 90% of them are willing to do whatever is required of them as 

 soon as they understand what is wanted. The so-called obstinate or 

 balking animals have been made so by bad treatment or improper 

 training. The horse is also one of the easiest animals to t-rain. 



It cannot be too strongly emphasized that kindness and patience will 

 accomplish your object in much shorter time and with infinitely better 

 results than by roughness and brutality. 



THE DRIVER 



Seat: The driver should sit squarely in the saddle, body erect, 

 buttocks slightly forward, not touching center of saddle, lower ex- 

 tremity of the back slightly curved to the rear, but this does not mean 

 that the backbone is curved to the rear throughout its length and that 

 the driver is slouching in the saddle. Shoulders should be carried back, 

 head up, eyes to the front. The body should be flexible, but this does 

 not mean slouching which one so often sees in riders who fail to appre- 

 ciate the difference between it and flexibility. 



It is a lesser fault to be too stiff than to be slouchy as in this latter 

 case the buttocks are bound to rest against the saddle and thus place 

 undue weight upon the rear end of the saddle bars. This causes sore 

 backs under the rear part of the saddle. The upper leg should hang 

 naturally in the position that is most comfortable and in which you 

 have the best grip upon the horse. 



The lower leg should be vertical, heels slightly lower than the ball 

 of the foot, calves pressing against the sides of the horse. In other 

 words the leg should grip the horse from saddle to lower part of the 

 calf. 



