RIDING-LADS iii 



is wanted, and with such a one up — if he be at all a 

 "workman" — a horse's legs will stand far longer than 

 under a heavier weight, and the owner need not fear fast 

 work to the same degree as he should do the other. One 

 may sometimes chance on an English jockey that is light, 

 does not drink, and is a good race rider. Such a man is 

 indeed a treasure, and will be cheap at Es.l50 a month, 

 Es. 100 for winning, and Ks. 50 for losing a mount, if the 

 owner keeps four or five horses. But anything short of 

 the genuine article should be shunned, for one of the 

 nondescript lot would take more looking after than a 

 stable of twenty horses. In default of a regular English 

 jockey, an owner's only safety is in employing quiet 

 native lads. Probably he will have to make a selection 

 from his scyces and grass-cutters, or from their sons, and 

 be obliged to teach them himself to ride. As the British 

 nondescript is to be avoided, so is the genuine '' coachwan," 

 who delights in gold-laced caps and in sticking out his 

 toes in front of his horse's nose. The best native riding- 

 lads I have met have been syces' sons, whom their masters 

 taught and succeeded in keeping in order. From Es. 6 to 

 Es. 10 — the " coachwan " will require Es. 30 — a month 

 will be quite enough for such boys, with a small present, 

 say Es. 5 when any of the horses win. The master should 

 be most careful in keeping them in their place, and should 

 always insist on their helping the syces when grooming. 

 Treat them fairly and a little liberally at times, but never 

 " give them their heads," nor allow them to gallop a horse 

 or take one out of the stable without being present one's 

 self. The three great faults of native boys are, that they 

 ride with too long stirrups, stick their toes out too much 



