Handbook for Light Artillery

by A. B. Dyer

TO UNHARNESS IN THE FIELD.

Without Harness-racks.—The pole-prop is placed under the end of the pole; the single-trees are left attached to the double-trees; the wheel-traces are unhitched from the collars only, and laid over the chest from front to rear, or on the foot-board; the collars of the wheel-team on top of the limber-chest (paulins having been removed) next to the rail on the near side, the swing-collars in the middle, and the lead-collars next to the other rail; the collar of the off horse is placed on top of that of the near horse of the same team; the remainder of the harness is placed on the pole, that of the near wheel-horse next to the double-tree and as close to it as possible, next that of the off wheel-horse, both in the order laid down for the wheel-harness; the traces of the lead-and swing-harness (folded once) are laid over the pole; then on top of them the saddles, with the attachments over them, so as not to rest on the ground. The neck-yoke is placed on the foot-board.

To Hook the Single-tree.—Hold the single-tree with the eye down and against the side of the cantle-hook; then push it sidewise far enough so that the eye will pass over the cantle-hook; then let the single-tree fall to the rear. This can be done from either side.

To Fold the Saddle-blanket.—The blanket, after being well shaken, will be folded into six thicknesses, as follows: Hold it well up by the two corners, the long way up and down; double it lengthwise (so that the fold will come between the "U" and "S"), the folded corner (middle of the blanket) in the left hand; take the folded corner between the thumb and fore finger of the right hand, thumb pointing to the left; slip the left hand down the folded edge two thirds its length and seize it with the thumb and second finger; raise the hands to the height of the shoulders, the blanket between them extended; bring the hands together, the double fold falling outward; pass the folded corner from the right hand into the left hand between the thumb and fore finger; slip the second finger of the right hand between the folds and seize the double folded corner; turn the left (disengaged) corner in and seize it with the thumb and fore finger of the right hand, the second finger of the right hand stretching and evening the folds; after evening the folds grasp the corners in the hands and shake the blanket well in order to smooth the folds; raise the blanket and place it between the chin and the breast; slip the hands down half-way, the first two fingers outside, the other fingers and thumb of each hand inside; seize the blanket with the thumbs and first two fingers; let the part under the chin fall forward; hold the blanket up, arms extended, even the lower edges, seize the middle points between the thumbs and fore fingers, and flirt the outside part over the right arm; the blanket is thus held before placing it on the horse.

To Put on the Blanket.—Approach the horse on the near (left) side, with the blanket folded and held as just prescribed; place it well forward on his back, tossing the part of the blanket over the right arm to the right side of the horse, still keeping hold of the middle points; slide the blanket once or twice from front to rear to smooth the hair, being careful to raise the blanket in bringing it forward; place the fore finger of the left hand on the withers, and fore finger of the right hand on the backbone, the blanket smooth; it will then be well forward, with the edges on the left side; remove the locks of the mane that may be under it.

To Saddle.—Place the pad or blanket on the horse as previously explained; seize the pommel of the saddle with the left hand and the cantle with the right; approach the horse on the near side from the direction of the croup and place the centre of the saddle on the middle of the horse's back so it will fit close to it; let down the cincha-strap and cincha; pass by the horse's head to the off side, adjust the cincha and straps, and see that the pad or blanket is smooth; return to the near side by the head, raise the pad or blanket slightly under the pommel-arch so that the withers may not be compressed; take the cincha-strap in the right hand, reach under the horse and seize the cincha-ring with the left hand, pass the end of the strap through the ring from underneath (from inside to outside), then up and through the upper ring from the outside; if necessary, make another fold in the same manner.

The strap is fastened as follows: Pass the end through the upper ring to the front; seize it with the left hand; place the fingers of the right between the outside folds of the strap; pull from the horse with the right hand and take up the slack with the left; cross the strap over the folds, pass the end of it, with the right hand, underneath and through the upper ring back of the folds, then down and under the loop that crosses the folds, and draw it tightly; weave the end into the strands of the cincha-strap, between the rings.

Another method of fastening the cincha-strap is as follows: Pass the end through the upper ring to the rear; seize it with the right hand; place the fingers of the left between the outer folds of the strap; pull from the horse with the left hand and take up the slack with the right; pass the end of the strap underneath and draw it through the upper ring until a loop is formed; double the loose end of the strap and push it through the loop and draw the loop taut. The free end should then be long enough to conveniently seize with the hand.

Having fastened the cincha-strap, let down the right stirrup, then the left.

The surcingle is then buckled over the saddle and should be a little looser than the cincha.

The cincha when first tied should admit a finger between it and the belly. After exercising for a while the cincha will be found too loose and should be tightened.

To Put on the Curb-bridle.—Take the reins in the right, the crownpiece in the left, hand; approach the horse on the near side, passing the right hand along the neck; slip the reins over his head and let them rest on his neck; take the crownpiece in the right hand and the lower left branch of the bit in the left hand, the fore finger against the mouthpiece; bring the crownpiece in front of and slightly below its proper position; insert the thumb of the left hand into the side of the mouth above the tush; press open the lower jaw; insert the bit by raising the crownpiece; with the left hand draw the ears gently under the crownpiece, beginning with the left ear; arrange the forelock; secure the throat-latch and then the curb-strap, taking care not to set them too closely.

The mouthpiece, which should fit the width of the horse's mouth, rests on that part of the bars directly opposite the chin-groove; the curb-strap will then lie in the chin-groove, without any tendency to mount up out of it on the sharp bones of the lower jaw. This position of the mouthpiece will be attained for the majority of horses by adjusting the cheek-straps so that the mouthpiece will be one inch above the tushes of geldings and two inches above the corner teeth of mares.

The throat-latch should admit four fingers between it and the throat; this prevents any constriction of the windpipe or pressure on the large blood-vessels.

The curb-strap or chain, which should be of width to fit the chin-groove,—not over three fourths of an inch,—should fit smoothly the chin-groove, and be loose enough to admit one or two fingers when the branches of the bit are in line with the cheek-strap.

If the bridle be put on over the head-stall, the hitching-strap, if not left at the manger or picket-line, will be tied around the neck. The hitching-strap may also be arranged as follows: Loop it two or three times through the ring so that the loop may be about 8 inches long; wind the strap several times around the loops and draw the end tightly through them.