192 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



whether this is so or not, the beneficial effect of good 

 rubbing down is soon visible in the general vivacity 

 and appearance of the horse. Grooms are naturally 

 averse to more of this trouble than they can avoid ; 

 but, without standing over them, it is easy to dis- 

 cover if they have done their duty, by drawing the 

 hand, or a white handkerchief, over the horse's 

 back ; if a quantity of dust found, it should be a 

 matter of severe rebuke. 



An essential part of grooming is to rub down the 

 legs, especially the back sinews, with the hands. 

 You may at once detect an idle or inexperienced 

 groom by the way in which he sets about this part of 

 his business ; he will stoop down, or at most kneel 

 on one knee, and pass the hand half a score of times 

 over each leg, and then rise in stupid admiration of 

 his own industry ! An old hand, on the contrary, 

 fairly seats himself on the litter, and sets about it in 

 good earnest, as a very laborious, but at the same 

 time very important operation ; nor will he leave 

 a leg till he has devoted at least ten minutes to its 

 service. 



I never fully appreciated the importance of hand- 

 rubbing to the legs, till I happened one day to be 



