THE HEAD LAD 219 



letter, and be as watchful over your interests as you 

 would be yourself. His first duty is to see that the 

 boys are called in the morning at the proper hour, 

 and are all at work in the stables. Then he must 

 look round the mangers to see that the horses have 

 eaten up their food — or otherwise. Upon this inspec- 

 tion he must report to his master, who will thereby 

 know whether this or that horse requires special 

 dieting. The manger is a true index of condition 

 and progress. Then the head lad sees that the 

 boxes are thoroughly cleansed, the horses dressed 

 over, and the clothing, &c, placed behind them 

 ready for exercise. Saddle and clothing should not 

 be put on the horses before proceeding to breakfast, 

 otherwise they might get hold of the stirrup leather 

 or stirrup iron and injure themselves. I have known 

 instances of their doing so. They are then given a 

 light feed of corn. After breakfast the head lad 

 takes care that the horses are made ready, and, that 

 operation performed, they go out to exercise. There- 

 upon the master joins them and the troop proceed to 

 the downs. On returning to the stable after they 

 have done their work, it is the duty of the master's 

 representative to see that they are properly dressed. 

 To begin with, the hoods and bridles are removed, 

 and the boy proceeds to clean the horse, commenc- 

 ing with his head and neck. Having done this the 

 animal is tied up, and the boy takes out the hood and 

 bridle, together with his own coat and waistcoat, and 

 places them in the saddle-room. He then returns 

 with the horse's bucket of water. I may remark 



