218 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



FIRST TWELVE DAY PERIOD 



"Equitation 

 (Light Batteries) 

 All references are to Provisional Drill and Service Regulations for 

 Field Artillery (Horse and Lig-ht), 1917. 



Lesson 1. 



Read, explain and question the men on Pars. 590 and 591. 



Impress thoroug-hly upon the men that the secret of success in 

 handling horses is patience and kindness. Explain that a horse is an 

 animal w^ith very little brains but an excellent memory, and is ex- 

 tremely nervous. Harsh treatment or a kind act are never forgotten. 

 From the very beginning instil a pride in the men in the appearance 

 and care of their horses and their equipment. 



The object of horsemanship in the army is to enable the soldier to 

 so condition and ride his horse that the animal will be able to carry 

 both rider and load the required distance in the required time, with 

 the least injury to both rider and horse. 



Read and explain Pars. 205 to 213, inch, and 603. 604 and 605. 



Explain and demonstrate "stand to heel." Par. 236. Insist on snap 

 without exciting the horses. Demonstrate how to approach a horse. 

 Assign each man to a horse and issue grooming kits. Have the horses 

 examined and brushed off (5 minutes). After "stand to heel," assemble 

 the men and explain the principal parts of the bridle and saddle. 

 Explain how to fold the saddle blanket and demonstrate it. Par. 226. 

 Fold it several times having the men fold theirs at the same time. 



Saddle and bridle a horse, explaining it at the same time. Pars. 228 

 and 231. 



Have the men "stand to heel" with their horse equipment on the 

 ground (if no harness pegs are available), saddle one yard in rear of 

 horse, pommel toward the horse, blanket across the saddle, folded edge 

 towards the pommel, stripe to the right, bridle across the blanket, bit 

 to the right. 



Have the men saddle and bridle by detail, and lead out individually. 

 Par. 238. Inspect the fit of each bridle and the saddling of each horse. 

 Have faults corrected and explained individually to each man. As 

 the men file by have them form line one yard apart. Par. 239. 



Explain and demonstrate "stand to horse" and prepare to mount 

 and mount. Pars. 237, 240 and 244. 



Have the men adiust their stirrups approximately by the length of 

 their arms, the tread of the stirrup placed under the ariiji pits, and the 

 fingers touching the center of the saddle. 



Have the men mount and move out at a walk in a column of files, 

 one yard from head to croup, form an elipse about forty by eighty 

 yards. Study the individual men and correct their faults without 

 shouting or nagging. Explain in general the position of the soldier 

 mounted. Explain the position of the reins in both hands. 



