FIFTH LESSON. 

141.—The same number of troopers are united as for the third lesson.

The horses are saddled and in both curb and snaffle. In all other respects conform to what is prescribed, No. 115, and following.

The troopers are conducted to the riding-house as pre­scribed, No. 118.

In entering the riding-house the instructor conforms to what is prescribed, No. 119; and when the two columns are upon the long sides, and exactly opposite, he commands: 

1. To the right (or to the left.)   2.  MARCH.   3.  HALT. 

He explains the position of the bridle hand, as prescribed, No. 82. 

 

TO TAKE THE SNAFFLE IN THE RIGHT HAND. 

142.—The Instructor commands: 

Snaffle—IN THE RIGHT HAND. 

1 time. 

At the last part of the command grasp the snaffle at the middle of the reins with all the fingers of the right hand, the nails downward, without lowering the body; hold the reins of the snaffle over those of the curb, and lower the left hand so as not to bear upon the bit.

143.—In using alternately the curb and snaffle, the trooper relieves the bars of the horse’s mouth; he should never use both at the same time.

The troopers are required to take the snaffle in the right hand during the commencement of the exercise in the curb bridle, In order to make the change of position of the rider less abrupt, and to bring up his right side, which is apt to remain in rear. 

TO DROP THE SNAFFLE.

 144.—The instructor commands: 

Drop—SNAFFLE. 

At the last part of the command, which is SNAFFLE, replace the left hand, and let fail the reins of the snaffle so that they will be under those of the curb, the right hand to the side.

 

THE PRINCIPAL MOVEMENTS OF THE BRIDLE HAND. 

In raising slightly the hand and drawing it in towards the body, the trooper gathers his horse; In drawing it in still more, the gait is made slower. By increasing the effect of the hand, the horse is stopped; if increased still more, the horse is reined back.

In lowering slightly the hand, the horse is at liberty to move forward.

In carrying the hand forward and to the right, the horse is turned to the right.

In carrying the hand forward and to the left, the horse is turned to the left.

As soon as the horse obeys, the bridle hand resumes its original position.

In all the movements of the hand, the arm should act freely, without communicating constraint to the shoulder or body; the effect of the curb being more powerful than that of the snaffle, it should be used progressively, particu­larly in stopping and reining back.

The instructor causes the following movements to be executed by the commands prescribed in the first lesson.

 

TO GATHER THE HORSE. 

146.—Elevate slightly the hand, drawing it at the same time towards the body, and close the legs.

 

TO MARCH. 

147.—Lower slightly the hand, the wrist always opposite the middle of the body, and close the legs progressively.

As soon as the horse obeys, replace the hand and legs by degrees.

 

TO HALT. 

148.—The trooper braces himself in the saddle: elevate the hand by degrees in drawing it in towards the body, and close the legs to keep the horse straight and prevent him  from stepping back.  As soon as the horse obeys, replace the hand and the legs by degrees. 

 

TO TURN TO THE RIGHT IN MARCHING. 

149—Carry the hand forward and to the right, according to the sensibility of the horse; close the legs, the left leg the most. The movement being nearly finished, re­place the hand and the legs by degrees.

 

TO TURN TO THE LEFT IN MARCHING. 

150.—Carry the hand forward and to the left, according to the sensibility of the horse; close the legs, the right leg the most. The movement being nearly finished, replace the hand and legs by degrees. 

 

TO TURN-ABOUT TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT MARCHING. 

151.—The same principles as prescribed to execute a turn to the right, or to the left, observing to pass over a semicircle. 

 

TO MAKE AN OBLIQUE TURN TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT MARCHING. 

152.—The same principles as prescribed to execute a turn to the right, or to the left, observing that the move­ment of the hand does not require the horse to do more than make a third of a turn to the right, or to the left. 

 

TO REIN BACK, AND TO CEASE REINING BACK. 

153.—The same principles as prescribed for the halt, observing, as soon as the horse obeys, to lower and raise the hand alternately that the movement may be regular.

To cease reining back, relax the effect of the hand and close the legs; as soon as the horse obeys, replace the hand and the legs by degrees.

154 —The instructor does not require these different movements to he executed simultaneously, but observes particularly the manner in which the trooper employs his bridle hand. He always rectifies its position before passing from one movement to another. 

 

EXERCISE OF THE FOURTH LESSON WITH THE CURB BRIDLE 

155—-When the troopers begin to understand the move­ments of the bridle hand, the instructor causes them to march upon the track, first at the walk, and then at the trot. He requires the squad frequently to halt, to move off, to change direction, and to execute successively the different movements of the fourth lesson, observing that each trooper makes an exact application of the principles prescribed when at a halt.

The habitual fault with the troopers being to carry the left hand forward, and to throw back the right shoulder, the instructor is particular in requiring them to keep the hand above the pommel of the saddle without deranging the position of the body. 

 

TO PASSAGE TO THE RIGHT, AND TO THE LEFT. 

156.—The Instructor causes the squad to passage to the right, and to the left, the head to the wall and in column.

To passage to the right, bear the shoulders of the horse to the right, by inclining the hand to the right, at the same time bear sufficiently on the bit to prevent the horse from moving forward; close the left leg that the haunches will follow, keep the right leg near, to sustain the horse.

In order to cease passaging, straighten the horse, hold the right leg near, and replace the hand and the legs by degrees.

To passage to the left, and to cease passaging, employ the same principles, but inverse means. 

 

SIXTH LESSON. 

PRINCIPLES OF THE GALLOP. 

157.—A horse gallops on the right foot, when the right fore and hind leg move in advance of the left fore and hind leg. This gait Is generally divided Into three distinct times or treads. The 1st time is marked by the left hind foot, which reaches the ground first; the 2d by the left fore and right hind foot, which touch at the .me instant; and the 3d by the right fore foot.

A horse gallops on the left foot when the left fore and

hind leg move in advance of the right fore and hind leg. In this case, the right hind foot first reaches the ground. then the right fore and left hind foot, and lastly the left fore foot.

A horse gallops true when he gallops on the right foot, in exercising or turning to the right hand, and on the left foot, in exercising or turning to the left hand.

A horse gallops false when he gallops on the left toot, in exercising or turning tothe right hand, and on the right foot, In exercising or turning to the left hand.

A horse Is “disunited” when he gallops with the near fore leg followed by the off hind leg, or with the off fore leg followed by the near hind leg.

When the horse is disunited, the trooper experiences in his position Irregular movements; the centre of gravity of the horse is deranged, and his strength impaired.  

 

EXERCISE AT THE GALLOP UPON RIGHT LINES. 

158.—When the troopers preserve in the 4th lesson their proper position at the gallop, they are taught to move off on a straight line to either hand

After the troopers of the 2d division are formed, as prescribed, No 133, the instructor causes the men of the front rank to take the distance of 4 paces from each other; these troopers marching to the right hand upon one of the long bides, the instructor commands 

1. Gallop.  2. MARCH. 

At the command, GALLOP, gather the horse, increasing the pressure of the legs, and restraining him with the reins.

At the command. MARCH, carry the hand slightly to the left, feeling both reins equally, to enable the right shoulder to move in advance of the left, and close the right leg. The horse having obeyed, hold a light hand and the legs near, to keep him al his gait. To make him gallop on the left foot inverse means are used.

159.—The instructor requires the troopers to be calm, to conduct their horses with mildness, and particularly to pre­serve a light hand that the gallop may be free and regular.

During the first days of the exercise at the gallop, the troopers are required to take the reins of the snaffle in the right hand, in order to calm their horses; this is discon­tinued when they have acquired the habit of managing them with the curb bridle alone.

To preserve the movement of the horse true, it is neces­sary for the trooper to accommodate himself to all his motions, particularly in passing the corners, where the slightest derangement in the seat would render the action of the horse irregular.

When a horse gallops false, if to the right, the trooper will feel both reins to the left, in order to bring his weight to that side, the horse’s head remaining bent to the right, and close firmly his left leg, to bring his haunches in again, and then as in No. 158.

160—The troopers are permitted to make only a turn or two at the gallop to each hand, and always required to pass to the trot, or walk in order to change hand.

When the horses have become quiet, and the troopers begin to manage them well, the distance between them is gradually diminished to 4 feet.

2d division is carried through the same exercise, and then both at the same time.

 

EXERCISE AT THE GALLOP ON THE CIRCLE. 

161.—When the troopers have been sufficiently exercised at the gallop upon straight lines, the instructor causes them make a few turns on the circle, following the principles prescribed, No. 124

This exercise is commenced on very large circles; the diameter is diminished as the troopers become more skilful.

To terminate the lesson, and return to the quarters, con­form to what is prescribed, No. 125.

 

SEVENTH LESSON. 

162.—The same number of troopers compose the squad is for the 6th lesson; they have their arms.

The instructor is mounted.  He has an assistant instructor. The assistant instructor, also mounted, is armed like the troopers, in order to execute the manual of arms, as given in detail by the instructor. 

EXERCISE OF THE SIXTH LESSON, WITH THE SABRE ONLY. 

163.—The first days of the  7th lesson are employed in repeating all the movements of the 6th, the troopers being armed with the sabre on]y. The troopers are then furnished with all the arms. Before commencing the manual of arms, a few movements at the walk and the trot are executed, in order to calm the horses; during the remainder of the lesson, the exercise at a halt is interrupted by movements at the different gaits. The instructor requires them to be executed with the greatest regularity, so that the troopers, in learning to manage their arms, perfect themselves at the same time in conducting their horses. 

MANUAL OF ARMS AT A HALT. 

164.—The troopers are formed by the commands FRONT and HALT, as prescribed, No. 125, and are 4 Inches from knee to knee.

The instructor commands: 

Draw-SABRE 

2 times. 

165.—1. At the command, DRAW, incline slightly the head to the left, carry the right hand above the reins, engage the wrist In the sword-knot, seize the gripe, disengage the blade 6 Inches from the scabbard, and turn the head to the front.

2.    At the command, SABRE, draw quickly the sabre, raising the arm to its full length at an angle of 45 degrees, the sabre in a straight line with the arm; hold the sabre In this position an instant, then carry It to the right shoulder, the back of the blade supported against the hollow of the shoulder, the wrist upon the top of the thigh, the little finger on the outside of the gripe. 

Present—SABRE.

1 time. 

166.—At the command SABRE, carry the sabre up and to the front, the thumb opposite to and 6 inches from the neck, the blade perpendicular, the edge to the left, the thumb along the right side of the gripe, the little finger joined to the other three. 

 

Carry—SABRE. 

1 time. 

167 -—At the command, SABRE, replace the sabre, the back of the blade supported against the hollow of the shoulder, the wrist upon the upper part of the thigh, the little finger outside of the gripe. 

Charge—SABRE 

1 time, 2 motions. 

168.—1. At the command, SABRE, raise the hand in tierce as high as the right ear and 7 inches from it, the right shoulder and elbow well back, the thumb on the back of the gripe, the point of the sabre to the front and slightly below the horizontal, the edge up.

2. Thrust to the front, the edge up, the arm at Its full extent.

Carry—SABRE. 

1 time. 

169.—At the command, SABRE, draw back the arm and replace the sabre as in No. 165. 

Return—SABRE. 

2 times. 

170.—1. At the command, RETURN, execute the movement of present sabre. 

2.    At the command, SABRE, carry the wrist opposite to and 6 inches from the left shoulder, lower the blade in passing it near the left arm, the point to the rear, raising at the same time the right hand; incline the head slightly to the left, and fix the eyes upon the mouth of the scabbard; return the blade, disengage the wrist from the sword-knot, turn the head to the front

The instructor commands: 

Draw —PISTOL. 

171.—This is executed as prescribed, No. 62. 

 

TO FIRE THE PISTOL. 

The Instructor commands: 

READY. 

172.—This Is executed as in No. 63. 

AIM. 

1 time. 

173.—This Is executed as in No. 64. 

FIRE. 

1 time. 

174.—At this command, FIRE, and raise pistol.

175.—At the position of aim, the instructor may com· wand, raise—PISTOL; the men will raise the pistol to the position No. 62. If the pistol is not fired, at the command return--pistol, first let down the hammer.

176.--To cock the pistol rapidly, without the use of the left hand, whilst pressing back the hammer with the right thumb, to assist its action throw forward the muzzle with a quick motion. 

 

TO LOAD THE PISTOL. 

The horses must be quiet; at the position of raise—pistol, the instructor commands: 

Load at—WILL. 

At this command, let the reins rest on the pommel, half cock the pistol, take it by the stock with the left hand, the guard to the right, and lower it until the hand rests upon the inner side of the left thigh, the butt of the pistol touch­ing the saddle, the hand and cylinder resting against the side of the pommel, the pistol being inclined to the front and right; with the right hand take a cartridge and place it in a chamber, turn the cylinder and force in the ball; repeat this until all the chambers are loaded. Then hold pistol against the right side of the pommel, pointing downward, to the right and front, and put on the caps.  Take the position of raise--pistol. 

Return—PISTOL. 

178—At the command, PISTOL, place it in the holster, and button the flap

The manual of a second pistol carried in a saddle holster is the same; where it is furnished, the manual mounted applies to it; and it will be the first used. 

 

INSPECTION OF ARMS. 

179.—The instructor commands: 

Inspection—PISTOL. 

1 time, 3 motions. 

1. At the command, PISTOL, draw the pistol and take the position, raise—pistol.

2 Lower the pistol into the left hand, to half cock It, then hold it by the right hand vertical, guard to the left, about three inches above the bridle hand, in front of the middle of the body; the right fore-arm touching the side.

3.    Place the pistol in the bridle hand, to let down the hammer, return it to the holster or belt, button the flap, and bring the right hand to the side.

The instructor commands:

 

Inspection—SABRE. 

1 time, 7 motions. 

180.—1. At the command, SABRE, execute the first time of draw sabre.

2.Execute the second time of draw sabre.

3.    Present sabre.

4. Move the thumb to the back of the gripe, turn it in the hand, the edge turning by the front to the right.

5. Carry sabre.

6.   Execute the first time of return sabre.

7.  Return the sabre.

181.—When troopers execute correctly the inspection of arms, they are exercised at it without detail, at the command: 

Inspection—ARMS. 

At this command the troopers execute the first and second motions of inspection of pistol.

As soon as the inspector has passed the man on his left, each trooper executes the third motion of inspection of pistol, and the first and second motions of inspection of sabre.

Each trooper, as the inspector reaches him the second time, executes the third and fourth motions of inspection of sabre.

As soon as the inspector has passed the next man on his left he executes the fifth, sixth, and seventh motions of inspection of sabre, the inspector governs himself as in No. 73.

 

SABRE EXERCISE, AT A HALT. 

The troopers marching at a walk in two columns, the instructor causes them to take the distance of two paces from another, and when the two columns are on the long side, he commands: 1. To the right, (or left.) 2. MARCH. 3. HALT. He causes them to exercise the sabre exercise, as taught on foot.

 

EIGHTH LESSON. 

MANUAL OF ARMS, IN MARCHING. 

183.—The troopers are required to draw sabre, and to return sabre, while marching in column at a walk.

The instructor observes that neither the seat nor the po­sition of the bridle-hand is deranged. He also requires the troopers to keep the legs near, in order to prevent the horses from slackening the gait. When the troopers have the sabre drawn, the instructor observes that they do not throw back the right shoulder.

As the troopers become more skilful, they are required to draw sabre, in marching first at the trot, and then at the gallop. They also take the position of charge sabre, in marching at the different gaits.

The sabres are returned in marching At a walk; for this purpose the troopers are directed to support the back of the blade against the left arm, until the point has entered the scabbard.

The troopers are exercised, sabres drawn, in turning to the right and to the left at the trot and at the gallop, and to the right-­about and left-about at the trot only. 

 

SABRE EXERCISE AT ALL GAITS. 

184.—The troopers execute progressively, at the different gaits, the exercise of the sabre, taking care to preserve be­tween each other a distance of 2 paces.

 

LEAPING. 

185.—For this exercise the width of the ditch should be from 3 to 5 feet, and the height of the bar or fence from 1 to 3feet. The width and height of each are increased as the troopers and horses become more habituated to leaping.

The instructor forms the squad 30 spaces in rear of the obstacle.

At the warning of the instructor, each trooper moves off at a walk, directs his march towards the obstacle, and at a third of the way commences the trot. 

 

TO LEAP THE DITCH. 

186.—On arriving near the ditch, give the hand and close the legs, to force the horse to make the leap. The moment he reaches the ground, raise slightly the hand in order to sustain him. 

 

TO LEAP THE FENCE. 

187.—On arriving near the obstacle, rein up the horse slightly and close the legs. At the moment of making the leap, give the hand, and elevate it slightly as soon as he reaches the ground on the other side.

The trooper, in leaping, should cling to the horse with the thighs and calves of the legs, taking care to lean a little forward as the horse is in the act of springing, and to seat himself well by leaning to the rear at the moment the horse reaches the ground.

188. —Each trooper, after having made the leap, continues to move at the trot, and takes his place in the rank which is formed 30 paces beyond the obstacle, taking care to pass to the walk just before halting.

During the first days of this exercise the troopers leap without arms; the horses ridden on the snaffle.

When the troopers have leaped without arms, they repeat the same exercise with arms, and finally with the sabre drawn.

The horses employed in the school of the trooper should be trained and accustomed to leaping. If, however, a horse refuses to leap, the instructor aids the trooper with the whip.

 

INDIVIDUAL CHARGE. 

189.—To exercise the troopers at the charge, they conducted to the extremity of a ground which presents a course of sufficient extent without obstacle. There they formed in line and required to draw the sabre.

The instructor places himself 150 paces in front of the right of the troopers; a corporal, 60 paces further; and a corporal or trooper, 20 paces beyond him; he serves as the point of direction for the trooper on the right.

The assistant instructor remains at the point of depar­ture, to see that the troopers move off one after another, and repeat to them what they are required to do.

To execute well the charge, the troopers should be careful to march straight forward, not to change the gait before arriving at the points indicated, and to increase or diminish ­the gait calmly.

Eacb trooper marches 15 paces, and takes the trot.

Having trotted 50 paces, the assistant instructor com­mands the gallop

When he reaches the instructor, the latter commands: 

 

CHARGE. 

At this command, quicken the gallop to nearly full speed, keeping the horse at the same time under control ; bear upon the stirrup, and take the position of CHARGE SABRE.

Abreast of the corporal the trooper retakes the trot and carries the sabre.

At 10 paces from the second corporal he takes the walk, and halts abreast of him.

All the other troopers execute successively the same movement, the assistant instructor causing each one to set off when the trooper who precedes him has halted. Each trooper takes for his point of direction the place he is to occupy in the rank, and places himself on the left of the troopers already formed.

190.—The first charge being completed, the instructor breaks the squad by file to the right, and reforms in facing to the rear, by the commands FRONT and HALT.

The troopers then charge in the opposite direction on the same principles

191. —The charge should be executed only twice the same day. It usually terminates the exercise; after exe­cuting it the squad marches at a walk a sufficient time to enable the horses to become calm before entering the stables. 

 

CIRCLING ON THE FOREHAND AND HAUNCHES, AND DEMI-PIROUETTE. 

192.—The troopers are now taught on instructed horses to circle on the forehand and haunches, and the demi­-pirouette, conforming to Article 7, Title 1st, all of which article they are made to understand and practice.

The practice of new horses at the paces for manoeuvre is made useful fur the instruction of the recruits, as well as for their practice in riding.

 

TARGET PRACTICE.

193.—For the target practice on horseback, the target

should be 8 feet high and 3 feet broad; at 6 feet of its height it is marked with a black band 3 inches wide, with a square at its centre—white.

The troopers are first practiced at 10 paces, firing at a halt, to the front, right, left, and rear.

In firing to the front, aim directly over the horse’s head, as in that position a smaller mark is presented to an enemy, and the trooper’s person is partly covered by the horse.

The distance is Increased to 20, 30, 40, and to 50 paces.

Afterwards the troopers are exercised, at the same dis­tances, at the walk.

In firing the troopers must not halt, or at all change gait or direction.

They are then practiced at the same kind of target, and on the same principles at the trot.

For the most advanced practice, a cylindrical post, 12 inches in diameter, and 8 feet high, will be used as a target, a barrier will extend out 12 feet, so as to require the trooper in passing to ride rather more than that distance in a line with the target, and parellel with the track, a small post will be set up, 10 paces on each side.

The troopers will first be exercised a little at a walk. and at a trot The trooper will be instructed first to march past the target to his right, and without disturbing the motions of his horse, to fire to the right front, choosing his point anywhere from the small post to the barrier.

Next he will pass with the target on his left, firing to left front, at any point in his course between the small post and the harrier.

Next he will pass, with his right to the target, and fire between the barriers and the small post, to his right rear.

Finally, with his left to the target, he will fire to his left rear. within the prescribed limits of his course.

This practice at a gallop is the final and principal exercise of the target fixing. 

 

RECORD AND REPORTS OF TARGET FIRING. 

194.—Beside the foregoing progressive instruction for recruits, there will be target fixing in every three months in every squadron; on each occasion, the best practiced troopers firing at least 12 shots mounted; every member of the squadron, not a capital prisoner, will join in the exercise.

There will be a record of target firing in each squadron kept in a book, giving the name and performance of each member. In the string measure, each miss at dismounted practice counts 24 inches, at mounted practice, 36 inches.

The book will be in printed blanks of the following form, and ruled for the number of members of the squadrons, (companies,) viz:

 

Record of target practice of _____ squadron,­­­ _____ regiment, United States _____, for the quarter

ending  ______, 18___.

 

Names.	Rank.	DISMOUNTED.					MOUNTED.
		50 yards.			100 yards.		At the halt—50 yds.		Gallop practice.
		No. of shots.		String measure.	No. of shots.	No. of hits.	No. of shots.	String measure.	No. of shots,	No. of hits.
Totals. . . . .

 

The squadron practiced, dismounted, on the _____ days of _____, 18___; and

mounted, on the ____ days of _____, 18____.

The above is a true record of the practice.

          _________________Captain.

 

195.    On the 1st of May and 1st of November, annually, the captains will report to the regimental commander an abstract giving the totals, from this record. At the same time he will make report of the names of the first and second best performers of the squadron, at the gallop practice at the round target.

On receipt of these reports the commander of the regi­ment shall publish, in regimental orders, the first and second best squadrons, and the names of the two best shots in each squadron of the regiment.