244 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



Lessons 1 to 12. 



The work in this period consists of teaching the driver how to handle 

 the pair. At the beginning of the hour the instructor should work with 

 the pairs on the track. During this time equitation movements will be 

 taken up ; viz : Forward, Increase and Decrease of gait ; Backward, etc., 

 (see that the about is executed on a six-3^ard radius) ; Halt; Backward, 

 etc., (See Par. 447). The instructor must insist on both the near and off 

 horses being "gathered" and aids for the movement being properly 

 applied to both near and off animals. Pay special attention to the use 

 of the voice. See Pars. 442-450. 



After the horses have been worked out as above described, the in- 

 structor will form the pairs into teams, (Par. 448.) The traces will not 

 be hooked. In order to hold up the traces of the wheel horses, halter 

 swivel snaps should be drawn and by means of an open link of one- 

 quarter inch round iron permanently attached to the ring end of the 

 wheel trace (which holds the quick release device). The end of the 

 wheel trace can then be snapped or hooked in the ring at the end of the 

 breeching body (where the side straps are fastened). This will not 

 only hold the wheel traces in place in pair drill, but will prevent the 

 front hip straps to which the wheel traces are supposed to be fastened 

 from being torn out by the pull of the swing and lead pairs in team drill. 

 The lead and swing traces will be crossed over the horse's back behind 

 the cantle and fastened by passing the trace toggle (left, for example) 

 through the ring on the trace chain (right ring, in this case). 



The movements prescribe<l in The Battery Mounted, Pars. 464 to 568, 

 will be covered by means of drill. Remember that the traces are not 

 hooked, but that the pairs are in "team formation." Use arm signals, 

 as well as verbal commands, gradually working away from the latter. 

 During this Twelve Day Period the instructor may, if he so desires, 

 take one or two short road marches (without carriages, traces un- 

 hooked and placed as previously described). If the road march is taken 

 the instructor will conduct it as prescribed in Field Service Regula- 

 tions. The following points must be insisted upon in order to conduct 

 a successful march : 



(1) Steady Gaits. 



Nothing will break down horses more than unsteady gaits. If the 

 walk is too slow, the teams jam, necessitating a continuous halting 

 and closing up during the march ; if too fast, there is a continuous "jig- 

 ging" throughout the column in order to maintain proper position. 

 The four mile per hour walk can be taken by the average horse, when 

 draft is good. Teach the soldier this gait over a staked course. If the 

 trot is too slow, there will be a continuous change of gaits (walk and 

 trot) in the column. This results in a continual jamming and opening 

 out, from front to rear. If the trot is too fast, some of the animals will 

 either "pound themselves to death" or will be forced to "break" the 

 gait. 



The knowledge of the four mile walk and the eight mile trot is one of 

 the secrets of "horses in condition." 



