64 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



He should generally avoid starting the horse into 

 the walk immediately he is in the saddle, so as not to 

 associate the action of mounting with forward move- 

 ment in the animal's brain. It is even useful at first 

 to finish work with the mounting lesson, and then 

 return the horse to the stable as a reward. 



If any of the horses give serious difficulty they 

 should immediately be replaced on the cavesson. 



The mounting lesson should be given on both sides, 

 and be repeated every day. This part of the education 

 of the young horse should be thorough. It is necessary 

 to obtain absolute docility in the midst of noise and 

 movement, in fact in all circumstances in which it 

 would be essential in war to have a horse absolutely 

 stationary when being mounted. 



Nevertheless, one should not, at first, be too exacting. 



Training to the sword. — The lunge can be used 

 for getting the horse accustomed to the sword. As in 

 the case of all new experiences, it is as well to wait till 

 work is over before giving this lesson. At first the 

 scabbard only should be placed on the saddle, and 

 when the horse ceases to fear it, the sword can be 

 added. This work, which is done at the three paces, 

 is, it should be understood, varied with caresses and 

 frequent periods of repose. It is no more than a 

 prelude to the series of exercises, intended to accustom 

 the horse to the sword, w^hich are practised when 

 working in the open. 



Mounted work out of doors and in the school. — 

 As soon as the horse is accustomed to a rider, commence 

 to get him into condition. This work continues without 

 interruption till the end of the military year, that is 

 to say, till the manoeuvres, and it should be given as 

 much as possible out of doors. 



