REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLAN. 223 



the soldier, the facings and marching on foot without weapons, since he acquires thereby a 

 moi-e unconstrained and regular position, which facilitates the instruction in riding. 



Finally, there are some exercises on foot which have special reference to the position of the 

 rider. Among these are : To throw back and lower the shoulder blades by crossing the arms 

 behind the back ; turning the wrists with the fingers closed ; to stand on an even floor, with 

 the feet parallel and the thighs apart, then to lower and raise the upper part of the body by 

 bending the knees ; by this means the necessary flexibility of the knees and the vertical position 

 of the haunches are obtained. 



The recruit being on foot, the reins are placed in his hands, and he is taught how to hold 

 them ; the use of the legs is explained to him at the same time. 



The recruits will also be greatly benefitted by being frequently shown a well broken horse, 

 fully packed, and mounted by a well drilled soldier. The time bestowed upon these prelimina- 

 ries will not be thrown away, but will be found to be amply repaid by the increased facility with 

 which the recruit will learn his duty, and the smaller amount of explanation required from the 

 instructor. 



Quiet and well broken horses must always be given to recruits. 



Their instruction must never commence without stirrups, but they will ride without stirrups 

 only after they have acquired a firm, sure seat ; it is entirely inadmissible for the recruits to 

 ride without stirrups in the lessons with the longe. 



All movements will be first taught at a walk ; afterwards at the trot and gallop. 



The walk must be lively, free, and decided. 



The trot must be decided, easy, united, uniform, long, and sure. 



The gallop should be calm, united, long, and low. 



A good instructor can drill 3 or 4 recruits ; but the same instructor should always drill the 

 same men. 



The intelligence of the instructor, the progress of the recruits, and the pressure of circum- 

 stances, must determine how long each lesson is to be dwelt upon, and when to pass from one 

 lesson to another. 



OF THE SEAT. 



On horseback, the body has three points of support — the extremities of the haunch bones and 

 the end of the spine ; therefore, the haunches form the foundation of the seat, and on their 

 direction depends the position of the rider. 



When the recruit mounts for the first time, his haunches, thighs, the lower part of the legs, 

 and the upper part of the body, must be placed in position for him. 



The haunches must be square on the saddle, and perpendicular to it, so that both haunch 

 boneg may rise alike, and the end of the spine be exactly over the middle of the saddle. If the 

 haunches are leaned too far back, the waist is carried with them, the upper part of the body 

 bent, and the thighs raised; if the haunches are leaned forward, the upper part of the body 

 loses its steady position, requires an efibrt to preserve its equilibrium, and the thighs are thrown 

 too far back. 



The thighs must be so much turned out, and thrown forward with the knees, that they may 

 lie fiat on the saddle. The extent to which this may be carried is determined by the prescribed 

 perpendicular position of the haunches ; if the thighs are thrown too far forward, the haunches 

 will lean back ; and if the thighs are too far back, the body is raised from the saddle. The 

 lower part of the legs, from the knee down, must hang along the sides of the horse quite natu- 



