STABLE MANAGEMENT. 231 



hour, syces will soon get into the way of doing the 

 work methodically, which is of great importance ; 

 because regularity of hours has a very beneficial 

 effect on the condition of all horses. 



4.45 a.m. Water; feed with about i lb. of grain; 

 pick out the feet ; remove all dung and other foul 

 matter from the floor ; take up the bedding and put 

 it outside the stable ; remove the clothing ; and rub 

 down lightly. 



5.30 to 7 a.m. Exercise ; syces riding. 



7 to 8 a.m. Water on coming in, and give an 

 hour's grooming, which should be real hard work for 

 the syces. Vigorous grooming is one of the most 

 important matters in keeping a pony in condition and 

 muscle. If the syces are not looked after, they will 

 simply pretend to work, and will only lightly rub the 

 animal over with a damp cloth. There should on no 

 account be any washing. The syces should be made 

 to pay particular attention to picking out the feet 

 clean and drying them. The grooming should be 

 done systematically with brush and curry comb, 

 supplemented by energetic hand and elbow rubbing, 

 which natives can do well, if they like. 



8 a.m. Feed with from 2 to 2]/^ lbs. of grain, 

 and a small supply of the previous day's grass, which 

 should have been very carefully cleaned. Bed down ; 

 clear the syces out of the stable ; and leave the ponies 

 perfectly quiet, with the chicks down, and the stable 

 darkened. 



12 noon. Water and feed with from 2 to 2^^ lbs 

 of grain. 



At an hour and a half before the time to start polo 

 or for evening exercise, say about 2 o'clock, open the 



