108 HOESE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



shillings a week. The masters who have most trouble 

 with their native servants, and whose horses get worst 

 looked after, are, generally, young " griffs " who know 

 little or nothing of the language of the country, and 

 are always abusing their syces for being fools ; as if, 

 forsooth, " the boot was not on the other leg." Horse 

 owners may observe the following rules with 

 advantage : 



Endeavour to give orders concerning the horses as 

 clearly as possible, so that there may be no chance of 

 their being misunderstood. 



Pay the servants liberally and regularly. 

 Insist on the practice of the syce, in case anything 

 goes wrong with his horse, instantly reporting the 

 matter. 



On no account allow a syce, on his own responsi- 

 bility, to treat any ailment his horse may get, such as 

 cracked heels, cuts, etc. ; to have any voice in the 

 shoeing of the animal; or to make any arrangement 

 about getting corn from the grain merchant (bunny ah). 

 If any of the servants are not amenable to kind 

 treatment, they should be dismissed at once ; for a 

 master who is known to be good to his men, will never 

 be in want of a choice of applicants for employment. 

 One should not, if possible, keep a discontented servant. 



Make certain that the syce can live on his pay ; for 

 if he cannot do so, he will assuredly steal his horse's 

 grain. 



Before the cold weather comes on, supply each syce 

 and grass-cutter with warm clothing and a blanket, so 

 that they may not be induced to take off the horse's 

 rugs at night, to use as bedding for themselves. 



