98 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA 



edge of a broad adze (Hind, husoola), and divide the hair 

 by a smart blow with a flat billet of wood. The adze 

 should be held steady, the handle to the rear, the edge 

 horizontal, and the blade sloped, so that the horse may 

 carry his tail level at a walk. Any loose hairs may then 

 be trimmed with the scissors. This is an admirable plan 

 for troopers, with which dispatch and uniformity are 

 matters of consideration. For use with a number of 

 horses, a blade resembling that of an adze, but broader, 

 may be let into a block of wood 4 or 5 lbs. in weight. 



Bots. — During the autumn months, the bot-fly will 

 endeavour to lay its eggs on the chest and forelegs of 

 horses, especially if the animals be kept much in the open, 

 as when on the march. These eggs adhere to the hair, 

 and, though very minute, may readily be recognized by 

 their bright yellow colour, and by their position, which is 

 chosen by the fly so that the horse may easily lick them 

 off, and thus convey them into his stomach. During these 

 months, syces should be careful to examine their horses 

 after they come in from exercise, and pick off any of those 

 eggs they may detect. 



Stable Routine. — The system which is applicable to 

 race-horses should be the one pursued with all valuable 

 animals, under the modifications that necessity or con- 

 venience may require. I may describe it as follows : — 



At daybreak, the horse is given about half a gallon of 

 water, and after that a feed of about a pound of corn ; his 

 clothing is taken off, and he is groomed lightly over. The 

 whole of the bedding should now be put outside, to be 

 aired and dried, and the dung and fouled litter should 

 be removed. The stable should be opened out for the 



