GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, Etc. 



Heel Ropes {pecharie). 



If possible, horses should be left loose, which 

 generally can be done in India, as most of the stables 

 are loose boxes. Sometimes it is necessary to fasten 

 them up, such as when picketed out at night in the 

 hot weather or on the march. There are several 

 plans of picketing, each having its advantages and 

 disadvantages ; but as these generally apply to mili- 

 tary animals, I will merely mention those com- 

 monly used in private stables. The most common 

 plan is to fasten the horse up with head and heel 

 ropes, to wooden pegs driven into the ground. 

 Heel ropes (pecharie) consist of either two ropes 

 about twelve feet long, ending in a single one, 

 so as to be Y-shaped, the single one being fastened 

 to a wooden peg (make) driven into the ground, 

 and the two arms to the horse's hind fetlocks by 

 means of leather straps, called " muzzumas." These 

 straps are loops of rope covered with leather, to 



