XXII. 



To Accustom Young Horses to the Saber. For thr lirnt f<-w 

 days the saber should be worn on tlie belt and not slung to 

 the saddle. In this manner the saber may more easily be 

 held away from the horse, in case he becomes too excited, 

 and any dangerous struggles resulting from prolonged con- 

 tact may be avoided. With very nervous horses, the saber, 

 instead of being attached to the belt, may be held in the 

 hand and the lesson can then be easily continued or stopped 

 at will. 



The first lesson should be given in the middle of the 

 period of work when the horse's nervousness has already 

 been worn off. 



The saber is next slung to the saddle; as soon as the 

 horse has become accustomed to it, the different movements 

 of the saber exercise should be executed until absolute in- 

 difference is obtained. 



To Accustom Horses to Fire-Arms and J\loises. Several 

 methods are used. One of the best is to place the mounted 

 troopers on a large circle; dismounted men are placed in the 

 center, some with revolvers, flags and trumpets, others with 

 boxes or sieves of oats. At a given signal the noises cease 

 and the horses are turned to the center of the circle where 

 the oats are offered to them. 



This same exercise is repeated on circles of smaller 

 radius and when the horses show no further anxiety, they 

 are turned into the center and fed oats while the noises con- 

 tinue. 



Another plan is to place in line the dismounted men 

 with the revolvers, flags and trumpets and have them niareb 

 around the drill ground. The young horses, also in line, 

 follow them about, at first at a distance, gradually ai)prna(li- 

 ing and finally eating their oats in the ranks. 



