Handbook for Light ArtilleryDyer, A. B. (Alexander Brydie)
History
Handbook for Light Artillery
Dyer, A. B. (Alexander Brydie)
Artillery, Field and mountain
When the bend is complete, the horse holds his head there without any
restraint and champs the bit; then make much of him and let him resume
his natural position by degrees, without throwing his head around
hurriedly. A horse, as a rule, champs the bit when he ceases to resist.
The horse's neck is bent to the left in a similar manner, the man
standing on the off side.
=To Rein in.=--Cross the reins behind the horse's jaw, taking the near
rein in the right hand and the off rein in the left, at about six
inches from the rings; draw them across each other till the horse gives
way to the pressure and brings his nose in. Prevent the horse from
raising his head by lowering the hands. When the horse gives way to the
cross-pressure of the reins, ease the hand and make much of him.
SADDLING.
This should be done at first on the longeing-ground. One man, facing
the horse and taking the snaffle-reins in both hands near the bit,
should hold him while another places the saddle on his back. If the
horse shows no uneasiness or resistance, let down the cincha-strap
and cincha; fasten the cincha-strap loosely at first, and tighten it
afterwards by degrees. Care must be taken not to make the cincha so
tight as to cause uneasiness to the horse. If the horse resists or is
restless, remove the saddle and let him see and smell it; he will then
generally allow it to be placed; if necessary, strap up a leg until the
horse is saddled. The longeing is then continued with the horse saddled.
MOUNTING.
When the horse becomes accustomed to the saddle, he should be mounted.
Two men should assist the man who is to mount. The man with the longe,
facing the horse and taking the snaffle-reins in both hands near the
bit, holds his head rather high and engages his attention; the second
man bears down on the off stirrup at the proper moment to keep the
saddle even when the third man mounts. The man who mounts proceeds with
caution, stopping and caressing the horse if he shows any uneasiness;
after being seated the man pats the horse a few moments, and without
attempting to make him move, dismounts with the care and gentleness
exercised in mounting. This is repeated several times, until the horse
submits without fear. The rider then mounts, takes a snaffle-rein in
each hand, and feels lightly the horse's mouth; the man with the longe
leads the horse forward and afterwards longes him to the left, and then
to the right, at a walk; if the horse shows any disposition to kick or
plunge, the longe is shaken to engage his attention and to keep up his
head. After a few turns the rider dismounts, the horse is fed from the
hand, patted, and dismissed.
These lessons are continued until the horse can be mounted and
dismounted without any difficulty; and when he can be made to go
forward, to the right and left, to halt and rein back by gentle
application of the aids, the longe is dispensed with.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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