166 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



anticipate movements. Watch for proper seat of all drivers, position 

 of legs and see that they keep ofif cantle of the saddle. Watch handling 

 of reins (neck rein) ; near horse and ofY horse will follow. See that 

 the traces are taut when starting. Watch the use of the aids. See 

 that in all turns drivers keep to outside of turns, inner horse ahead of 

 outer horse. See that carriages turn on same ground, radius of six 

 yards, traces taut. In all alignments, watch to see if all drivers dress 

 properly. Insist upon exact performance in all movements. In moving 

 from column into line, when line is to halt, watch to see that all drivers 

 execute right dress. Watch particularly that men at no time slouch in 

 saddle. If halting for any length of time, — four (4) minutes even, have 

 drivers dismount and put up limber prop promptly. Watch distances 

 at all times. If halted, on road near grass, or on grass, allow horses to 

 graze, without however having them get out of column. 



In controlling the horse remember the cardinal principle, release an 

 aid as soon as it is sufficiently obeyed. 



HINTS TO DRIVERS 



A good draft horse can be ruined in five minutes by an inexperienced 

 driver. A team that pulls together can accomplish wonders under most 

 difficult draft, provided the drivers never let their pairs know that they 

 cannot pull any load. 



The most successful draft is that which obtains the maximum pull 

 with the least lost energy and wear and tear on the team. To accom- 

 plish its object, the draft team, consisting of lead, swing, wheel drivers 

 and the brake must be thoroughly impressed with a sense of team play, 

 just as in an efficient gun squad. 



The individuals of the draft team are mutually dependent one on the 

 other and must work together as one. To accomplish this end, each 

 driver must fully understand not only his own duties, but those of the 

 other members of the draft team. However skillfully trained in their 

 individual duties, drivers of a team will not obtain that smooth pulling, 

 equally distributed draft unless there is that mutual understanding or 

 liaison between each other and with the brake. Independent individual 

 effort, unless bent towards the same direction at the same time, w411 

 result in neutralization of efforts of pairs in team, one pull counteract- 

 ing the other. 



Without complete unity maximum draft can never be attained. 



Drivers: The lead driver must quickly learn that in all turns he must 

 allow the wheel driver a turning arc that will in no case cramp or lock 

 the wheels of the limber. The lead must move forward well to the 

 front before the turn and avoid "cutting in." The above is equally true 

 of the swing driver, who takes his cue from the lead. 



The lead driver must glance back at the wheel to measure the turn, 

 avoid running on obstacles, and see that the traction is following the 

 least lines of resistance. He should seldom make use of the coupling 

 rein, though occasion may necessitate his grasping the coupling rein in 

 turns to the flank to urge or restrain or "place" his off horse. 



