TAP BEING 93 



exercise, they should be allowed to remain on until the 

 syce proceeds to hand-rub the legs. 



The foregoing completes the description of ordinary 

 grooming, to which, I think, the following process may, 

 with advantage, be added. 



Tapeeing. — This Indian practice is a form of massage 

 which is known in England and France as tapotement 

 (percussion). In India it is done with broad circular 

 pads, called ta]pecs, each one of which is about 9 in. in 

 diameter and 3 in. thick. They are stuffed with horsehair, 

 and are covered with leather. A strap is placed at the 

 back of this pad to admit the hand placed flatwise. They 

 are used one on each hand, and are brought down in quick 

 succession, with the whole force of the arm, on the spot 

 intended to be shampooed. The neck, shoulders, barrel, 

 and hind-quarters are thus gone over by a syce on each 

 side of the animal. The loins and flanks are avoided. 

 The usual method is to strike first with the left hand, 

 then with the right, and again with the left, and then to 

 bring the pads sharply together so as to knock out the 

 dust. Tapeeing has an excellent effect on the skin and 

 coat, and is much relished by the horse when he gets 

 accustomed to it. If put into practice, it should be 

 performed immediately after the animal is brushed 

 down. 



In all cases, when there is sufiicient help and time, 

 the grooming should be such as I have described in the 

 foregoing pages. 



When a horse comes in heated, and there is only one 

 man to attend to him, the girths, if a saddle be on, should 

 be slackened, and he should be walked about until he 



