88 STABLE MANAGEMENT. 



furthermore, are used to it, for every Oriental is an 

 adept at shampooing or massage, constantly doing 

 it to their own limbs and those of their friends. 

 When the horse comes in from work the bridle 

 should be taken off him, hung up on a peg, and 

 a watering bridle put into his mouth, the stirrup 

 irons run up to the top of the leathers, and the 

 girths slackened. If there is a breast-plate it can 

 be taken off, but the saddle should not be re- 

 moved till the back gets cool. According to the 

 season of the year, a light or warm rug should be 

 thrown over the quarters, and the horse walked 

 about till he gets cool. If there is much mud 

 sticking on him, it can be rubbed off with a wisp 

 of straw before the brush is used. Horses should 

 not be washed, or, if they are, only under very 

 exceptional circumstances, when specially ordered. 

 It is, however, a favourite practice among " syces," 

 as it saves a good deal of trouble ; and it is much 

 easier to wash off mud and dirt than to remove it 

 with the brush, as ought to be done ; they are also 

 very apt to use the curry-comb for this purpose. 

 When the horse is cool he should be gone over 

 with the brush, to remove what dirt is remain- 

 ing, and when this is finished the process should 

 be repeated with the hands, the palm and bend of 



