Handbook for Light Artillery

by A. B. Dyer

Unsaddle.—He unbuckles and frees the crupper, disengages the girth, places the breeching and then the girth on the saddle, takes off the saddle and places it on its peg with the saddle-pad on top.

Unbridle.—Each wheel-driver unfastens the coupling-rein, unbridles his off horse, puts on the halter, ties its strap to the manger, and hangs up the bridle.

Collar off, etc.—The off harness is taken off in the same order as the near harness.

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.