240 THE OUTDOOR TRAINING 



training in open field is equal in value to four 

 months in the outdoor menage or five months 

 in an indoor riding school. 



In training men my first measure was to 

 select sympathetic instructors, and reheve for 

 other duties any N.C.O. who showed the 

 slightest infirmity of temper. Released from 

 all bullying, nagging or fear of punishment, 

 my rookies w^ere sportsmen who would greet 

 me with a cheery grin. The second measure 

 was to cut out the element of monotony in 

 routine, so that the riding field became a place 

 of surprises, of varied sports and competitions 

 w^here each man tried to excel. From the first 

 I would take the whole class away from the 

 schooling for an occasional joy-ride along the 

 grassy roadsides, slowly increasing the pace 

 from walk to joggle, and finally to long trot on 

 the home stretch. When we came to be tested 

 against other units we had no reason to regret 

 our unorthodox methods of training. 



My second month's riding school would 

 involve a very serious schooHng for officers 

 and Non. Coms. in teaching them how to 

 handle a unit training for field mobility. It 

 would be Hmited to three exercises all of which 

 I have tested with success in England during 

 the past decade 



