vi. Without stirrups and with arms folded, making the

horse rock by swinging the body backwards and forwards, maintaining a firm grip with the thighs.

iii and iv should be practised on the move when riding proper begins. Before commencing, the pupil must be placed well down in the saddle, and he must be taught to keep his knees firm to the flap and not to cling with the lower part of the leg.

3. These exercises on the wooden horse may be usefully employed during subsequent training, but should not immediately precede or follow a riding lesson. Exercising tired muscles is not only useless, but harmful.

=36.= _First lessons to the recruit._

1. Squads should not exceed 8 in number, and should parade in line, leading their horses.

“STAND TO YOUR HORSES.”--The man stands at attention on the near side of the horse, toes in line with the horse’s fore feet; the reins, taken over the horse’s head, are held in the palm of the right hand near the ring of the bit, little finger between the reins, back of the hand up; the right arm bent, the hand as high as the shoulder; the end of the reins in the left hand, which hangs down by his side without constraint. This is the position of _attention_ when the man is leading his horse.

When the horse is about to be ridden, the position of attention will be the same as above, except that the reins will not be taken over the horse’s head and will be held by the right hand only near the bit.

“STAND AT EASE.”--The right hand slides down the near rein to the full extent of the arm, the end of the reins being retained in the left hand. The position of the man’s legs and feet are the same as at dismounted drill.

_Note._--If the reins have not been taken over the horse’s head, they will be held in the right hand only, the left arm hanging by the man’s side without constraint.

“IN FRONT OF YOUR HORSES.”--Each man being at _attention_ will take a full pace forward with the right foot, turn to the right-about on the ball of it, and take one rein in each hand near the rings of the bit, still holding the end of them in the left hand if the reins are over the horse’s head; hands and elbows to be as high as the shoulders.

This is the position in which a man should stand when showing a horse at the halt.

“STAND TO YOUR HORSES.”--Each man will take a full step forward to the horse’s near side with the right foot, and turn left-about on the ball of it.

“QUICK MARCH.”--Each man will move off holding the reins as above.

“SINGLE FILES RIGHT (OR LEFT)” “QUICK MARCH.”--Each man will move off in succession, one horse-length from the file in front of him.

2. A man when leading a horse through a narrow gate or doorway should walk slowly backwards, taking care that the horse’s hips clear the uprights. The head collar should be held in both hands, one on either side of the horse’s head, which, however, should be sufficiently free for the horse to see where he is going.

When a soldier, leading a horse, passes an officer he will look towards him.

3. _How to pick up a horse’s foot._--The recruit should be taught the right way to pick up a horse’s foot. To do this he should face the rear and run his hand lightly down the leg from the shoulder or quarter along the back of the knee or hock before attempting to lift the foot from the ground.

4. _How to run a horse in hand._--The reins should be held as described above in “_Stand to your horses_” and the horse led off. As soon as he breaks into a steady trot the man should leave go the reins with the hand nearest the horse, and only hold the end of the reins in his outer hand. In turning a horse about when in hand, the man should always move round the horse and not swing the horse round himself. In leading a horse past an officer for inspection, the man should place himself on the side nearest the officer.

=37.= _Mounting and dismounting._

1. _Without stirrups._--The reins hanging evenly on his neck, the command will be given:--

“PREPARE TO MOUNT.”--Turn to the right and close 6 inches to the right. Take the reins in the left hand properly separated as for riding (_see_ Sec. =39=), and place the left hand on the front of the saddle. The reins should be of such a length that the horse’s mouth is not interfered with while mounting. The right hand will grip the back of the saddle.

“MOUNT.”--Spring up, straightening the arms to assist, pass the right leg over the horse and drop gently into the saddle. When mounting without a saddle the left hand will be placed in front of the horse’s withers, and the right arm on his loins, forearm well to the off side, fingers closed.

“PREPARE TO DISMOUNT.”--Place both hands, with a rein or reins in each, on the front of the saddle, and rise from the horse’s back by straightening the arms. Without saddles, both hands will be placed on the horse’s withers.

“DISMOUNT.--Vault lightly to the ground and assume the position of ”_Stand to your horses_.”

Mounting and dismounting should also be practised on the offside.

2. _With stirrups._--“PREPARE TO MOUNT.”--Turn to the right about. Take the reins in the left hand properly separated as for riding (_see_ Sec. =39=) and with a light and equal feeling on the horse’s mouth. Place the left hand on the horse’s withers, and grasp his mane, or the front of the saddle if he has no mane; then place the left foot in the stirrup, and the right hand on the back of the saddle.

“MOUNT.”--Spring quietly into the saddle, place the right foot in the stirrup without looking down and assume the position of attention (_see_ Sec. =40=).

Mounting on the offside will be taught in the same manner, and recruits should be made to practise it regularly.

“PREPARE TO DISMOUNT.”--Shorten the reins (_see_ Sec. =39=) and grasp the mane with the left hand, place the right hand on the front part of the saddle and take the right foot out of the stirrup.

“DISMOUNT.”--Carry the right leg over and lower the body gently to the ground; place the left foot in line with the horse’s fore feet, turn to the left and come to the position of “_Stand to your horses_.”

3. Whenever the men are dismounted and have been allowed to _Stand easy_ from the position of _Stand at ease_, they will be recalled to attention by the command “STAND TO YOUR HORSES.”

4. For instructional purposes the order for mounting and dismounting is given by two words of command, _e.g._:--

“PREPARE TO MOUNT.”--“MOUNT”; “PREPARE TO DISMOUNT.”--“DISMOUNT”; but for trained men there is only one word of command in each case, _i.e._, “MOUNT” or “DISMOUNT.”

=38.= _The seat._

1. The recruit must be made to sit evenly on his seat, well down in the saddle, and not on his fork; the flat of the thigh and the inside of the knee pressed against the saddle, but not so tightly that the man rides on his thighs, as the weight of the body should rest principally on the seat. Below the knee the leg should hang free, and in the early stages much attention need not be paid to the position of the body, though from the first the recruit should be taught to get his seat well under him.

2. Great care should be taken to fit the stirrups to the right length to suit the build of the rider. The man should be made to place himself in the saddle with his knees at the height which appears to suit his thigh. The stirrups should then be adjusted so that the bars are in line with the soles of his boots. If a man standing in his stirrups can just clear the pommel with his fork the stirrups are about the right length.

The end of the stirrup leather should be passed under both returns and then under the surcingle. It should not be passed downwards through the buckle.

A man with a short thick leg, however, requires his stirrups shorter in proportion than a man of equal height but with a flat thigh and thin leg. The stirrups are intended to be an aid and convenience to the rider; if they are too long he will lose his seat by leaning forward in his endeavour to retain them; if they are too short, the seat becomes cramped and the rider is prevented from using the lower part of the leg correctly.

In ceremonial work the stirrups should be kept on the ball of the foot, but at other times the feet may be pushed right home.

=39.= _How to hold the reins._

1. The recruit should next be taught how to hold the reins as described below. In the early stages he should only be allowed a snaffle or single rein attached to the cheek of the universal bit, and no curb, and should ride with the reins in both hands. The instructor should impress upon him the importance of not hanging on by the reins and explain that if he does so he will not make progress, but by injuring his horse’s mouth will make him difficult to ride.

2. The hands should be low and close in front of the body, thumbs uppermost, back of the hands to the front. Wrists should be rounded and supple and the movements of the horse should be followed by means of the play of the shoulders, elbows (which should be kept close to the body), and wrists.

3. _Reins in left hand._ i. _Bridoon or check reins only._--Take the two reins in the left hand, the right rein between first and second fingers, the left rein outside the fourth finger, slack passed across the palm and secured between the thumb and first finger.

ii. _All four reins._--Place the right bit rein between the second and third fingers, and the left bit rein between the third and fourth fingers. The right bridoon rein between the first and second fingers, and the left bridoon rein outside the fourth finger, the slack of all four reins thrown back over the first finger and secured by the thumb.

At riding drill drivers when holding the reins in the left hand should place the right hand on the thigh, as described in Sec. =55=.

4. _Reins in both hands._--In the first place, whether using single or double reins, take them in the left hand as described above, then take up the right rein or reins in the right hand by placing it in front of the left, pulling sufficient of the slack forward through the left hand to obtain an even bearing on the mouth with both hands held low, just in front of the body and close to the horse’s withers.

In the case of single reins only, the right rein should be held between the third and fourth fingers; with double reins, the two right reins should be separated by the third finger. In each case the right hand should hold only the right rein or reins, the slack of these being secured between the right thumb and forefinger and passing thence into the left hand which holds both the left and right reins. (_See_ Fig. 3.)

5. _To lengthen the reins._--Allow sufficient rein to slip gently through the fingers.

_To shorten the reins._--Keep the reins in the left hand but drop the slack from between the thumb and forefinger, and take hold of this in the right hand behind the left, slide the left hand forward until the desired length is obtained. Then as before secure the slack, and if riding with both hands on the reins, take up the right rein or reins again in the right hand.

6. The recruit should be well grounded in the proper manner of holding the reins, and frequently practised in changing them quickly from one hand to both and _vice versâ_, also in shortening and lengthening them at all paces. The importance of keeping the reins supple and unpolished should be impressed on him.

7. Normally the reins should be held in the left hand only, bit reins inside except in the case of beginners, and when riding young or awkward horses, when both hands should often be used. Occasionally the left hand may be required to be free, as when leading another horse, in which case the reins of the ridden horse can be held in the right hand.

=40.= _Position in the saddle at attention._

1. The correct position of the rider at attention is shown in Fig. 4. The head and body should be erect and square to the front; upper arm hanging perpendicular; forearm nearly horizontal; thighs flat on the saddle; legs from the knee down nearly vertical; knees turned inwards so as to enable the toes to point towards the front; the heels should be sunk lower than the toes and the feet pressed down into the stirrups (_see_ Fig. 4).

2. On the command “SIT AT EASE” the reins should be relaxed by dropping the left hand on the front of the saddle. The right hand should rest on the left, back up.

=41.= _First movements on horseback._

1. The recruit should now be shown how to start his horse off at a walk from the halt, _i.e._, he should be made to ease the reins slightly, though still keeping a light feeling on the horse’s mouth, and press him forward with the legs from the knees downwards. He should be prevented from jogging his horse in the ribs with his heels and from advancing his hands to slacken the reins. At the same time he should be taught how to halt without jerking his horse’s mouth.

The trot should be slow and for short periods and there should be no cantering for the first few lessons.

2. _How to rise in the stirrups._--The loins must be perfectly lissom, so that the seat may be easy and comfortable; the back should not be hollowed, but the upper part of the body should be inclined a little forward.

The recruit should not try, by rising, to follow or to anticipate the movements of the horse, but should let himself be raised.

His knees (and ankle-joints if riding with the stirrup on the ball of the foot) will sustain his movement and will allow him to descend softly into the saddle. It is advisable to let the recruit commence this at a walk.

3. At the trot without stirrups the recruit should allow his body to be thrown up at each step, and fall on his seat.

In cantering, the knees, the inside of the thighs and the seat itself must remain close to the saddle, the whole body pliant and accompanying the movement of the horse, so that with each stride the rider feels a forward thrust through his seat from the animal’s back.

4. A few turns and circles may now be introduced, and in executing them the recruit should be told how to use the weight of his body. He should be instructed, whilst preserving the grip of his knees and thighs, to incline his weight from the hips slightly backwards and to the side to which he is turning.

5. As soon as he has gained some confidence, the recruit should ride without reins; he should then be taught to jump, at first over small obstacles, such as the bar lying on the ground. (_See_ Sec. =42=.)

The recruit should not be allowed to cling with the back of the calf; it should be explained to him that the principal use of the lower part of the leg will be taught to him later.

6. Much of the early training should be without reins, the arms being folded in front of the body, never behind, as the latter tends to throw the upper part of the body forward.

=42.= _Teaching the recruit how to ride his horse over a fence._

1. Jumping, when carried out with discretion, is an excellent training for men and horses. Constant practice throughout the recruit’s training will enable the man to acquire, and afterwards to maintain, a firm seat, whilst at the same time the muscles of the horse’s back and thighs are developed and strengthened.

2. Riding over the bar laid on the ground makes a good beginning, the men trotting round the school with suitable distances between horses and jumping it in turn. This has the advantage of leading both men and horses to think that they are doing nothing out of the common, and results in an orderly and quiet procedure.

The recruit should at first be allowed to hold the end of the rein in the flat of the hand to give him confidence, but should be encouraged as soon as possible to drop the reins altogether. The arms should be folded across the chest. Stirrups should be allowed until the instructor considers it advisable for the beginner to jump without them.

In the first jumping lessons the recruits may be allowed to hold the mane, head rope, or front of the saddle in one hand and the reins loosely in the other. With this assistance they will be found to get confidence, attain their proper balance in a short time and be in a position to control their horses without jerking their mouths.

3. As the horse takes off, the pupil should be instructed to lean forward and to tighten his leg-grip; if he is successful in this his body will soon swing in harmony with the horse. The movements of the body from the hips upwards when riding over a jump vary so much with different horses and different fences, that it is impossible to lay down any rule. It is a matter of the rider balancing his body assisted by a leg-grip. The horse should be eased up gently after a jump, on no account should his pace suddenly be checked.

When the initial stage is passed frequent change of horses expedites progress.

4. The pupil should be gradually trained to handle the reins when jumping, and the greatest care must be exercised to avoid ill-treatment of the horse’s mouth during the process. If the shoulder-joints are given free play when the horse requires more rein, all jerky movements of the arms and wrists will be avoided as the hands go forward. Reins must be held long, and the man taught to keep his hands low and allow them to come freely forward as the horse is on the downward plane. When riding with the reins in one hand, the left shoulder can be brought forward as the horse is descending.

5. Jumping low obstacles is very little exertion to the horse, and the more the recruit has of it the sooner he will be ready to enter the third period of instruction. Before he enters this stage he should sit his horse with ease, both with and without reins, and, when jumping, should be able to keep a light feeling on the horse’s mouth without in any way interfering with it.

6. The pupil should then be given horses that require “_riding_” at their fences, and be taught to handle them with resolution. A combination of the qualities of determination and patience are invaluable in a horseman, and should be developed and encouraged at this stage of the training.

The method of dealing with refusers is given in Sec. =81=.

=43.= _The aids._

1. _General principles._--The “_aids_” are the signals used by the rider to assist him in directing his horse. These signals are made by means of the reins, legs, spurs, shifting the weight of the body, whip, and voice. For instance, the reins can be used to bend the neck, to raise, lower, or turn the head to any one side; and to make the horse decrease his speed, halt, or rein back.

The necessity of impressing on all recruits the importance of preserving the sensitiveness of the horse’s mouth cannot be over-rated.

The pressure of both legs is an indication to the horse to go forward, and should normally be applied just behind the girth; the leg should only be drawn back when the horse fails to respond to ordinary pressure. The pressure of the leg drawn back on one side is employed to make the hind quarters turn towards the opposite side, or to prevent them from turning towards the side on which the pressure is applied.

When it is necessary to use the spur it should be applied as described in Sec. =45=. If when the horse is on the move the weight of the body is shifted, say to the right, the horse will be inclined to put out a foot on that side, in order to equalize the distribution of weight on its limbs. The hind quarters and forehand are respectively lightened by the rider’s body being brought forward and back, or by lowering or raising the horse’s head. The movement of the body as an “_aid_” should be slight, except in the case of a man riding a heavy horse, when more movement may often be necessary, but it should not lead to interference with the horse’s mouth.

The indications of the whip are closely akin to those of the leg and spur.

2. _To walk or trot._--Without drawing them back, close both legs to the horse according to his temperament, and slightly ease both reins by a slight turn of the wrist or wrists. As soon as the horse advances at the desired pace relax the pressure of the legs and feel the reins again as before.

3. _To halt._--Close both legs and feel both reins, at the same time bring the weight of the body slightly back. As soon as the horse halts relax the pressure of the legs.

4. _To turn to the right on the haunches._[3]--Close both legs to the horse, using more pressure with the left leg drawn back to prevent his haunches from flying out to the left. At the same time feel the right side of the horse’s mouth, press the left rein against his neck, and lean the body slightly back and to the right.

_To turn to the left on the haunche.s_--Reverse the above.

[3] NOTE.--Trained horses should never be turned except on their haunches.

5. _To turn right about on the haunches._--The same as “_right turn_,” except that the rider should lean his body slightly back as well as to the right and as required apply more continued pressure on the right rein and firmer pressure with the drawn back left leg to compel the horse to turn on his haunches.

6. _To collect the horse._--Make the horse bring his hindquarters well under him by a pressure of both legs, and induce him to flex his jaw and bring his nose slightly in by a light feeling of the bit rein. The pressure of the legs should precede any feeling of the reins. In this way the rider causes the horse to stand, walk, trot or canter, at attention.

7. _To rein back._--Collect the horse as described in the previous paragraph, then feel the horse’s mouth as an indication for the horse to step backwards; the rider must never have a dead pull on the horse’s mouth, but when the horse has taken a step back, should ease the reins and then feel them again. The horse should be kept up to his bit by a pressure of both legs.

The trained horse should rein back collectedly, with head carried fairly high, and the body balanced on all four legs. He must move in a straight line, and must not be allowed to run back out of hand, but must make each movement in obedience to the properly applied indication of the rider. He should not be allowed to halt in an uncollected position.

8. _To canter off fore and off hind leading._--Collect the horse, and by a strong pressure of the drawn back left leg make him strike off into a canter. Prevent him from turning his quarters to the right by a supporting pressure of the right leg as required. When cantering the horse’s body, head and neck should be kept in the direction in which he is moving. The horse should be collected and slightly bent in the direction of the leading leg. The horse must be made to canter true and united.

_To canter near fore and near hind leading._--Reverse the above aids.

Methods of telling if a horse is cantering true:--