122 HUNTING 



engaging a groom, to first watcli him groom his horse. 

 At all events, he will be able to judge if he does his 

 work thoroughly, and he ought to be able to form an 

 opinion as to whether he is kind to his horses or the 

 reverse. There are many degrees of conduct between 

 kindness and cruelty. For example, a hasty blow is 

 often the result of a hasty temper, not of cruelty. 

 Horses can be as aggravating as human beings when 

 they choose. We advise the master to mark particularly 

 how the new groom grooms the ears, hocks, and heels. 

 If he grooms these thoroughly he knoivs his business 

 and it will be the master's duty to see that he performs 

 it. 



It must be borne in mind that a careless master 

 makes a careless groom, and that the more personal 

 supervision a master gives to his stable, the better 

 will the groom do his work. A good groom will work 

 more thoroughly if he knows that his master appreciates 

 his work ; it is only untrustworthy grooms who object 

 to the constant and unexpected presence of the master 

 in the stable, and it is best to get rid of such men as 

 soon as possible. ISTor do we consider it to be beneath 

 the dignity of any gentleman to take off his coat, and 

 show the groom how he wants certain things done, e.g. 

 the cutting of a horse's tail, or the pulling of his mane 

 — that is, if he himself knows, for these operations are 

 not to be attempted by any novice. 



In regard to wages, a groom for two horses, and a 

 dogcart horse or pony, will ask from 22s. to 25s. a 

 week if an outdoor man. He is, in our opinion, worth 

 the 25s., if, in addition to grooming his horses and 

 cleaning his harness well, he turns out his carriage and 



