GROOMING, STABLE GEAB, ETC. 77 



of straw or a couple of tent-pegs tied crossways 

 buried in it, the earth trodden down, and the rope 

 brought out at the surface. This will give ample 

 holding, and may be practically tested, for although 

 a vertical pull will easily bring it up, the strongest 

 man will fail to move it if the strain is horizontal. 



Leading-ropes (bagli durie). 



Leading-ropes are things that ruin half the horses' 

 mouths in India, and I never let such a thing into 

 the stable. If they are used as they were originally 

 intended to be, that is, buckled into the ring of 

 the snaffle or watering bridle to lead the horse 

 with, they do no harm; but it is impossible to 

 prevent " syces " from passing them over the head 

 and then back through both rings, so as to form 

 a gag, and this they hang on to. I always make 

 them use a leading-chain, which is a leather strap 

 with about a foot of chain and a snap-hook at 

 the end of it. The hook fastens into the ring of 

 the snaffle, and they cannot well pass the strap 

 over the head to turn it into a gag. It seems im- 

 possible to teach a " syce " how to lead a horse in a 

 watering bridle, and I find these chains the best 

 compromise. 



