Manual of Equitation and Horse Traininc^ 61 



a horse perfectly still to mount. However, it is well not 

 to require too much at the very beginning. 



Training to bear the saber. — The longe may be utilized 

 to accustom the colt to the saber. As for all new require- 

 ments, it is wise to wait until the close of work to give the 

 lesson. 



To begin with, only the scabbard is put on. When the 

 horse bears it without fear the blade is added and he is 

 then exercised at the various gaits. This work, it is un- 

 derstood, is interspersed with halts, caresses, and fre- 

 quent rests. 



This, however, is only a step toward the series of ex- 

 ercises which habituate the horse to the management and 

 use of the saber and which take place during work on the 

 road. 



Mounted work.— Out of doors and in the riding hall: 

 As soon as the horse accepts the rider, his conditioning 

 must be commenced. This work goes on without inter- 

 ruption until the end of the military year— that is, until the 

 departure for maneuvers. It should take place out of 

 doors whenever possible. 



It is evidently in the fresh air and on straight lines 

 that the colt acquires most rapidly his full strength. Nev- 

 ertheless, the first sessions take place in the riding hall to 

 enable the instructor to exercise closer surveillance, to 

 study better the men and horses, and to avoid the always 

 possible accidents. 



Some old horses mixed in with the colts can have a 

 very good influence on the whole section at the beginning. 



The riding hall is used also when the temperature re- 

 quires it. Advantage should be taken then to give the 

 colts the first lessons of the aids. 



First lessons of aids. — This preliminary education is 

 quite necessary to permit the horse to be handled out of 

 doors. It consists in teaching him to move forw-ard at the 

 call of the legs, to slow and stop at the tension on the reins, 

 to turn with the simple actions. 



The horses are bitted with double snaffles when the 

 resources of the troop permit; otherwise with single snaf- 

 fles. The quality, adjustment, and maintenance of the bit- 

 ting call for special attention. 



Movement. — The base of all training is freedom in the 

 forward movement. From the beginning the horse must 



