io8 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA 



with confidence that, as a rule, those of the former are 

 as trustworthy, hard working, and intelligent as those of 

 the latter country, and that too on, say, Es. 7 a month 

 instead of I85. a week. The masters who have most 

 trouble with their native servants, and whose horses 

 get worst looked after, are generally young " griffs," who 

 know little or nothing of the language of the country, 

 and are always abusing theu' syces for being fools — as if, 

 forsooth, " the boot was not on the other leg " ! Horse- 

 owners may observe the following rules with advantage : — 



Endeavour to give orders concerning the horses as 

 clearly as possible, so that there may be no chance of 

 their being misunderstood. 



Pay the servants liberally and regularly. 



Insist on the practice of the syce, in case anything 

 goes wrong with his horse, instantly reporting the matter. 



On no account allow a syce, on his own responsibility, 

 to treat any ailment his horse may get, such as cracked 

 heels, cuts, etc. ; to have any voice in the shoeing of the 

 animal, or to make any arrangement about getting corn 

 from the grain merchant (himnyah). 



If any of the servants are not amenable to kind treat- 

 ment, they should be dismissed at once, for a master who 

 is known to be good to his men will never be in want of 

 a choice of applicants for employment. One should not, 

 if possible, keep a discontented servant. 



Make certain that the syce can live on his pay, for 

 if he cannot do so he will assuredly steal his horse's 

 grain. 



Before the cold weather comes on, supply each syce 

 and grass-cutter with warm clothing and a blanket, so 



