BIDING LADS. Ill 



"workman " a horse's legs will stand far longer than 

 under a heavier weight, and the owner need not fear 

 fast work to the same degree, as he should do the other. 

 One may sometimes chance on an English jockey that 

 is light, does not drink, and is a good race rider. Such 

 a man is indeed a treasure, and will be cheap at Bs. 150 

 a month, Ks. 100 for winning, and Ks. 50 for losing a 

 mount, if an owner keeps four or five horses. But any- 

 thing short of the genuine article should be shunned ; 

 for one of the nondescript lot would take more looking 

 after than a stable of twenty horses. In default of a 

 regular English jockey, an owner's only safety is in 

 employing quiet native lads. 1 Probably, he will 

 have to make a selection from, his scyces and grass- 

 cutters, or from their sons, and be obliged to teach 

 them himself to ride. As the British nondescript is to 

 be avoided, so is the genuine " coachwan," who delights 

 in gold laced caps, and in sticking out his toes in front 

 of his horse's nose. The best native riding lads I have 

 met have been syces' sons, whom their masters taught, 

 and succeeded in keeping in order. From Ks. 6 to Ks. 

 10 the "coachwan" will require Bs. 30 a month 

 will be quite enough for such boys, with a small 

 present, say Es. 5, when any of the horses win. The 

 master should be most careful in keeping them in their 

 place, and should always insist on their helping the 

 syces when grooming. Treat them fairly, and a little 

 liberally at times, but never "give them their heads," 

 nor allow them to gallop a horse, or take one out of the 

 stable, without being present oneself. The three great 

 faults of native boys are, that they ride with too long 

 stirrups, stick their toes out too much in front, and do 



