292 MILITARY RIDING. 



rider, when he may be considered fit to take his place in the 

 ranks of his squadron, and should require nothing further in 

 the way of riding education except practice. 



Vaulting and Games on Numnahs. For the past five years 

 I have practised the recruits of the Royal Horse Guards in 

 riding on numnahs, which I find an excellent system, and 

 they much appreciate the change from ordinary riding-school 

 work. The first half of the time is given to vaulting, and the 

 second half to games. Vaulting must be learnt at a walk 

 first, although it is much harder to accomplish at that pace 

 than at a canter ; because when cantering the motion of the 

 horse gives impetus to the man's spring and lifts him on to 

 its back. The recruit begins on the near side, takes a lock of 

 the mane with the left hand, places the right on the surcingle, 

 leans forward on both arms, and springs lightly along the 

 ground, facing the same way as the horse. He then takes a 

 step forward and springs up from the insteps, at the same 

 time carrying the right leg clear over the horse and alighting 

 gently on his back. 



When vaulting on the off side the right hand takes the 

 rein, with the left hand on the surcingle. It is surprising how 

 quickly the men learn this vaulting, and how well the horses 

 behave after a few times practising. 



When they have learnt to get up and down easily on both 

 sides at a canter we practise them in getting off on one side 

 and then up again, though, of course, this can only be done 

 down the centre of the school or on the incline. The horses 

 are also taught to go round by themselves, beginning by the 

 odd numbers dismounting and standing still till their horses 

 come round again, when they quietly step in, run a pace or 

 two, and mount ; then the even numbers do the same, and 

 finally the whole ride, except the leading file, who remain 

 mounted to keep the pace. 



The more advanced riders practise vaulting off and on 



