220 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



Explain the change in gait from the walk to trot. Have the men sit 

 down in the saddle. Don't permit posting. Have them take the jolt. 

 It will emphasize the necessity of having- a snpple waist line and 

 relaxed muscles. 



Return to the picket line and unsaddle and groom as before. 



Lesson 4. 



Repeat Lessons 1, 2 and 3 omitting the explanations, except in indi- 

 vidual cases where necessary. 



After forming- line rigidly ins])ect equipment. Have every fault 

 corrected carefully, explaining the reason. For example, explain and 

 demonstrate the method of ])utting on a stirrup strap; give the rule 

 for remembering it. Have the buckle toward the horse and down close 

 to the top of the stirrup. Have the quarter straps of such length that 

 the quarter strap safe will be split by the lower edge of the blanket. 

 Have the quarterstrap l^uckle always close uj) to the scpiare at the 

 cantle of the saddle, the tongue of the buckle pointed up. Explain and 

 demonstrate how to put it together. Have the center of the cincha 

 under the center of the horse's belly. Remember that the details of 

 equipment can not be understood or remembered by the men if given 

 all at one time, as at harness cleaning. Explain them as cases arise 

 without delaying the drill. 



After getting the men on the track repeat the exercise at a walk, in 

 taking the reins in different hands, carry reins habitually in both hands. 

 After getting all stirrups adjusted, move into the slow trot. Change 

 the holding of the reins from one hand to the other at the trot. Gradu- 

 ally insist on tlie men keeping their eyes up while changing the reins, 

 keeping a very light, steady feel on the horse's mouth. 



Change the gait frequently from the trot to the walk and vice versa. 

 See that the horses are properly gathered before each increase in gait. 



Execute "rest" se\'eral times, alwa^^s from the walk. Insist on the 

 horse being "gathered," and the reins quickly released. The horse 

 will lower his head and relax all over if this is projierly done. 



Change hands on the track frequently and walk the horses at least 

 five minutes before returning to the stables. 



In unsaddling remember the requirements about loosening- the 

 cincha for a few minutes before unsaddling. Par. 501. During this 

 time have the bits washed and grooming kits drawn, leaving a few 

 men to watch the horses. Use this time to explain things to the men. 

 Encourage them to ask questions. 



Explain how to tie a horse to the i)icket line and in the stall. (Iroom 

 by detail. 



Lesson 5. 



Repeat as much as the former lessons as may he necessary. After 

 getting the men settled down in the saddles with a little trotting have 

 them cross or take ofif their stirrups, and execute the slow trot at in- 

 tervals of never more than ten minutes. Have the men sit up at this 

 exercise keeping awav from the cantle of the saddle, the legs hanging 

 naturally. Pan 285. ' 



