EEPOET OF CAPT. GEORGE B IPCLELLAN. 225 



sary ; for if the recruit endeavors to gain it by a strong pressure of the fore arm against the 

 body, he will acquire a stiff, heavy hand. 



In sitting the horse the body is divided into two movable, and one immovable parts ; 

 the movable parts are from the hips upwards, and from the knees downwards ; the immov- 

 able part is the thigh, which, to a certain extent, is indivisible from the saddle, and should be 

 as though glued to it. 



The legs should hang with the full weight, so that the rider will neither stand on the stirrups, 

 nor close the knees unnaturally, because this closing of the crotch throws up the knees, which 

 fault increases with every motion of the horse, especially at a trot or gallop. 



The chief departures from a regular seat are : the split, the forked, and the stool seats. 



In the first, the legs and knees are thrown too far back ; in the second, they are too nearly 

 vertical ; in the third, the hips are too far back, and the knees too far forward. 



In the first lessons the recruit must be allowed to take the position which his build renders 

 most convenient, and the instructor must not be rigid in his corrections, but allow the men to 

 acquire confidence. 



The shape of the saddle, the form and gait of the horse have a decided influence upon the 

 seat ; the Hungarian saddle is better than any other for giving an upright and handsome seat, 

 but great care must be taken that the man does not acquire a split, or forked seat. 



A proper adaptation of man and horse, the discovery, judicious criticism upon, and removal of 

 the causes which prevent the recruit from assuming a good seat, do more to hasten the instruc- 

 tion than loud hallooing and chasing about for hours. 



The ivalk is the easiest gait for the rider, and the natural gait of the horse ; it should be at 

 the rate of about 120 steps per minute. 



The trot is the most lasting pace of the horse, but the hardest for the rider ; as it does much 

 towards giving a good seat, the men should be much exercised at it ; the common trot is at the 

 rate of about 250, the trot out 300 steps per minute. 



The full gallop is at the rate of 500 steps per minute ; the hand gallop somewhat slower. 



The charge is at the rate of about 600 steps per minute. 



SWIMMING. 



Since it is often necessary for light troops to swim their horses, they should be taught before- 

 hand to throw the carbine over the shoulder, to allow the curb reins to hang loosely, and to 

 guide the horse by the snaffle, not straight across the stream, but a little against the current. 



The rider must grasp the mane, and never look at the water, but at the bank, lest he become 

 giddy. 



In the event of being swept from the saddle, he can still keep above water by keeping hold of 

 the mane ; if he loses this advantage, he must endeavor to seize the horse's tail, and allow the 

 animal to take him ashore. 



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