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horsemanship of the Officer himself. A man who under every
circumstance feels himself firm in the saddle does not need to exert
force to fight with or restrain his horse, and having learnt both how
to think and command at a gallop, will lead Cavalry and reconnoitre
before the enemy with far greater certainty and much better results
than one to whom these things are hardly second nature.
Bold and determined horsemanship acts and reacts on all a man's other
soldierly characteristics, and forms thus a basis for further progress
of the highest order, apart from the fact that it impresses the men
most favourably, and induces them to follow with greater confidence.
Hence, even from the standpoint of the higher education, the standard
of horsemanship can never be raised too high. Given this, and the
remainder can be acquired in the practical day-to-day work of the
unit, in the training of the men themselves, and in the exercises in
Field-Service duties, in manoeuvres and Cavalry exercises, always
provided that these are all conducted in conformity with the spirit of
modern operations. But since we have seen this practical duty, as at
present carried on, nowhere meets the above conditions, we must find a
supplement to it by recourse to systematic training in Field-Service
rides, War Games, and Staff Tours, for which, of course, the necessary
funds must be provided.
These exercises must be begun in the regiment, and continued through
each successive grade up to the 'Inspection,' the sphere of each being
enlarged with the increase in the importance of the Command.
But they will only then possess value and importance when based on
connected military situations arising from the operations of modern
Armies, and afford opportunities to the participants for the solution
of problems far above their existing rank, for thus only can their
mental horizon be extended. Within the radius of action of his own
Command each Officer is already in daily contact with all that it is
necessary for him to understand, and in minor tactical situations he
has abundant opportunities for training his faculties. It seems to me,
therefore, mere waste of time to give him further employment with
these matters, and the attempt could only end in depriving them of all
interest. On the other hand, the Regimental Officer is seldom if ever
placed in positions which would enable him to form any adequate
conception of the execution and connection of the gre
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