MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 225 



SECOND TWELVE DAY PERIOD 



Equitation 

 (Light Batteries) 



All references are to Provisional Drill and Serxice Reynlations for 

 Field Artillery (Horse and Light), 1917. 



Lesson 1. 



Have men mount and dismount from right side. After settling the 

 riders and horses down, have them remove the stirrups. Place the 

 stirrups where each man can find his proper stirrups. This is neces- 

 sary to prevent hooded stirrups being- placed on team saddles at the 

 end of the exercise. Have the men ride without stirrups and without 

 reins. A knot should be tied in the reins and the men permitted to 

 take them whenever necessar}^ to control the horses. Explain g^aits — 

 Pars. 351 and illustrate. 



Teach three or four of the suppling exercises. Pars. 264 to 278, in- 

 clusive. In teaching these exercises, explain the objects to be attained 

 by them. Replace the stirrups when necessary. Do not ride more than 

 fifteen minutes without stirrups. Execute several chang^es of direction. 

 Remember to have the horses properly gathered each time. Groom 

 by detail. 



Lesson 2. 



Before leaving the picket line, insist that the equipment be properly 

 adjusted in every detail. \\^atch carefully for articles of horse equip- 

 ment and harness getting mixed ; a common fault when saddles and 

 bridles from artillery harness are used with horse equipment for equita- 

 tion. In order to correct this, it is necessary for the instructor to know 

 the nomenclature and model of all items of both harness and horse 

 equipment, and their uses. 



Before removing- stirrups always see that both horses and riders 

 are settled down. Limit the riding without stirrups and reins to fifteen 

 or twenty minutes. There is nothing gained in getting- the men chafed 

 and sore. Do not take the stirrups from a man who is badly chafed. 



Repeat the suppling- exercises already taught and teach three or 

 four new ones. Execute changes of gait from walk to slow trot, and 

 vice versa, several times. Insist on the men starting and stopping 

 their horses together. See that the last men start out with the first. 

 Execute by the right and left flank several times. 



Before replacing the stirrups have the stirrup straps removed from 

 the stirrups, and then put together. Explain how to twist the stirrup 

 straps correctly. Groom by detail. 



Lesson 3. 



While riding without stirrups continue the supplying exercises and 

 teach a few new ones. Select especially gentle horses and teach and 

 execute the mounted gymnastic with the horse in place. Pars. 279 to 



