228 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



SECOND TWELVE DAY PERIOD 



Hints on Equitation 

 (Light Batteries) 



The Second Twelve Day Period had for its object the teaching of 

 the soldier: 



(a) What the correct seat is and how to take it. 



(b) The gather, forward, halt, and the preliminaries to the turn 

 and about. 



The Third Twelve Day Period has for its object : 



(a) Establishing in the soldier a correct seat. 



(b) Perfecting him in the application of the simple aids. 



Riding without stirrups and suppling exercises are of the utmost 

 importance in suppling the soldier and properly seating him. On the 

 other hand if carried to the extreme "without stirrups," will have the 

 opposite effect. For example : If the instructor rides his class without 

 stirrups to such an extent that the men become chafed, there will be 

 an unconscious setting of the muscles because of the discomfort in 

 riding. Under these circumstances the muscles, instead of relaxing 

 as desired, become set and tense. The instructor must therefore use 

 judgment when giving the same to the class. 



The gaits to be employed are : 



(a) The slow trot, six miles per hour. 



(b) The gallop, twelve miles per hour. 



Never use the eight mile per hour trot when riding without stirrups. 



Always permit the soldier to take stirrups when he feels that he is 

 chafed. 



The work with the class in an open formation (such as when by fours 

 by the right flank has been executed) permits the instructor to take up 

 right or left, increase or decrease of gaits. Ordinarily, flank move- 

 ments, circles, etc., should be executed at the slow trot. The instructor 

 should constantly watch for faults in the seat and the application of 

 the aids. Never permit "posting" during this Twelve Day Period. 



The rein aids taught arc. 



(a) The leading rein. 



(b) The bearing rein. 



(c) The direct rein of opposition. 



The leading rein is used when the reins are held in both hands and 

 its action is as its name implies, "to lead." For example: being on the 

 track, the reins 'held in both hands; "Right about, March." At the 

 preparatory command, "gather." At the command of execution, open 

 out the right rein by carrying the right hand to the right about four 

 inches and "leading" the horse around. 



There is little or no pull to the rein in a backward direction ; its 

 action is to the right. The legs are used for two purposes: (a) To 



