184 TRAINING AND RACING. 



now be changed for a common watering one, as horses 

 are apt to spoil the reins by biting them whilst being 

 groomed. If the animal be restive, a man may stand 

 in front with a rein in each hand, and hold his head up, 

 while one or two syces, at each side, rub him down 

 with a wisp of dry straw, or of sun (unprepared hemp). 

 The wisps should be rubbed well into the coat, and 

 should not be used as fans. If he be inclined to bite, 

 the syce who holds the reins may keep a stick in one 

 hand pointing across the horse's face, so as to keep him 

 in order, or a muzzle may be put on. His breast- 

 piece is next removed, the base of his neck and chest 

 scraped and dried, and lastly, his body clothing is taken 

 off, and his barrel, loins, and quarters finished. Dry, 

 light clothing is put on, and he should get half a bucket 

 of water say about a gallon. This rubbing down 

 should not take more than five or six minutes, and after 

 it, the animal should be started home at a walk, with- 

 out further delay. 



Though the horse, on leaving his stable, should he 

 ridden at a walk before his work commences, he had 

 better be led home, for then he will return cooler, 

 and will not be so liable to break out into a sweat 

 again, as he would be, were he ridden back. Having 

 arrived at his stable, he may get half a bucket of water, 

 with or without suttoo, as the trainer sees fit ; and 

 then he is tied up, his clothing removed, and the 

 grooming begun. 



I may here remark that, if a horse's coat is long, a 

 considerable amount of hair can be got off by hand- 

 rubbing him completely over, immediately after his 



