Handbook for Light ArtilleryDyer, A. B. (Alexander Brydie)
History
Handbook for Light Artillery
Dyer, A. B. (Alexander Brydie)
Artillery, Field and mountain
The horse is now exercised in the riding-hall or open manège, the
lessons for young horses not exceeding three quarters of an hour. The
horse is ridden on the track first at a walk, then at a slow trot,
and afterwards the trot and walk are alternated, care being taken to
turn the corners squarely; the horse is next marched to the right and
left, halted and reined back to accustom him to obey the bit and the
pressure of the legs. When he is obedient to the snaffle, the horse
is equipped with the curb-bit. The bit must have rings at the ends of
the mouthpiece for snaffle-reins, or a bit-bridoon must be used in
order that the horse may be accustomed by degrees to the action of the
curb-bit. The first instruction given to the horse with the curb-bit
is bending the neck and reining in, dismounted; he is then mounted and
exercised in the riding-hall or open manège as before described, and
receives the bending and reining lessons mounted.
BENDING LESSONS, MOUNTED.
The horse is now equipped with a curb-bridle.
=To Bend the Horse's Neck to the Right.=--Adjust the reins in the
left hand; seize the right rein with the right hand well down; draw
it gently to the right and rear until the horse's head is brought
completely around to the right, in the same position as in the bend
dismounted. When the horse champs the bit, make much of him, and allow
him to resume his natural position. The horse's neck is bent to the
left in a similar manner.
=To Rein in.=--Lower the bridle-hand as much as possible, turning
the back uppermost; with the right hand, nails down, take hold of
the curb-reins above and close to the left hand and shorten them by
degrees, drawing them through the left hand, which closes on the reins
each time they are shortened.
When the horse resists much and holds his nose up, keep the reins
steady; do not shorten or lengthen them; close the legs to prevent the
horse from backing; after remaining perhaps a minute or more with his
nose up and his jaw set against the bit he will yield, bring his nose
in, and champ the bit; make much of him, loosen the reins, and after a
few seconds _rein in_ again.
This exercise gives the horse confidence, and teaches him to arch his
neck and bring his head in proper position whenever he feels the bit.
Most young horses are afraid of the bit, and they must never be
frightened by sudden jerks on the reins, lest they should afterwards
refuse to stand the requisite pressure of the bit. A certain amount of
bearing is necessary to induce the horse to work boldly and well, as
well as to apprise the rider of what the horse is going to do.
In reining in, some horses rest the lower jaw against the breast; to
counteract this, press both legs equally and force the horse forward to
the bit.
Some horses will not work up to the hand; that is, will not bear the
bit at all. Such horses are unfit for the service.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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