GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, ETC. 73 



a long time, and will amply repay itself. Both head 

 and heel ropes sliould be tied to the pegs in a slip- 

 knot, so that with a single pull horses can be set 

 free when necessary. "Syces" will usually tie 

 them in a jam-knot, and horses struggling to get 

 loose when frightened very often badly injure them- 

 selves before they can be set free. 



Fetlock Picketing. 



A method of picketing horses was introduced into 

 the Indian army some years ago, by dispensing with 

 head ropes and using a short chain shackle about 

 three feet long, buckled round one of the fore fet- 

 locks, and fastened to a peg driven into the ground. 

 This was chiefly done with the object of reducing 

 the weight carried, and with animals used for military 

 purposes, doubtless fulfilled the purpose, but in a 

 private stable I fail to see its advantages over the 

 other plan. 



Picketing Posts. 



When horses are picketed outside the stable, and 

 there is space enough, picketing posts are the most 

 preferable method, as they allow greater freedom 

 than any other. A stout smooth post, about five or 



