154 . MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



with the movement of the forelegs, the force being applied just as the 

 feet going' to the rear touched the ground and the force is released as 

 the front foot leaves the ground on its way to the rear. 



When a horse becomes proficient in backing without being hitched, 

 he should be hitched. He will probably refuse to back, due to the pres- 

 sure of the breediing. Cannoneers should assist in backing the car- 

 riage and the horse gradually taught to do it. 



TO STOP A CARRIAGE OR REDUCE ITS SPEED 



To the same degree that efifort is made to avoid abrupt or sudden 

 starts, so also should effort be made to avoid abrupt or sudden stops 

 or reductions of speed. In stopping the carriage the drivers hold their 

 horses out of traction and stop with the gradual stopping of the car- 

 riage. The wheel driver may, when desirable, assist in stopping the 

 carriage by holding his horses back in the breeching. The brake, if 

 carefully and gradually applied so as not to jerk the horses, is of great 

 use in stopping the carriage or checking its speed. The lead and 

 swing drivers regulate the movements of their pairs by those of the 

 wheel pair, keeping out of the way, but avoiding any strain on the 

 traces, 



TO BACK A CARRIAGE 



The wheel driver is responsible for backing the carriage. The other 

 drivers must give him complete liberty of trace. Both horses are 

 reined back together, quietly and steadily according to the principles 

 outlined in TJie Soldier Mounted, Vol. IT. F. A. D. R. 



THE BRAKE AND ITS USE 



The brake, when properly handled, is most useful and a great bene- 

 fit to the wheel horses. Wheels should never be locked, the brake 

 should be used so that the wheelers will not be required to help hold 

 back the carriage, in fact a very slight pull by the wheeler is a benefit 

 to them in going down hill. Save the wheel horses as much as pos- 

 sible for they have to pull and hold back both, and do considerably 

 more work than the lead and swing. Reason for not locking wheels is 

 that if they are locked, the wheel will be acted upon by sliding, friction 

 in one spot, and this will wear out the tire very quickly. 



GAITS 



The slow walk two and one fourth to three miles per hour. Walk 

 four miles per hour. Slow trot six to six and one-half miles per hour. 

 Trot six miles per hour. Trot out ten miles per hour. Extended trot 

 twelve miles per hour. Gallop twelve miles per hour. 



MARCHES 



Length of marches depends largely upon the character of the 

 road, the number and slope of hills, the condition of the animals and the 



