Among Horses in India. 19 



man of the saises, called Jemmadar, should always be held 

 responsible that horses are not washed in the absence of 

 Europeans. Even when the hair is well dried it becomes 

 harsh, and does not look so glossy as when cleaned by groom- 

 ing. If prevented from washing the whole skin, saises will 

 still frequently wash the mane and tail, when the hairs 

 become full of scurf through not having been parted and 

 brushed daily. 



Clipping and Singeing. 



Many horses in India have thick coats in the cold season, 

 and suffer from them when at work in the same manner as at 

 home. Clipping is then very beneficial, provided that they 

 are warmly clothed with two rugs each, and are well sheltered 

 from the cold winds while standing in their stables. 



When out in camp in the northern parts of India, where 

 there is frequently a sharp frost at night, singeing is better 

 than clipping, because the hair can be left by the former 

 method long enough to keep the animals warm, while 

 shortened sufficiently to prevent their sweating too much 

 while at work. 



Dbinking Water. 



The drinking-water with which the horses are supplied re- 

 quires continual attention. It is sometimes obtained from 

 tanks dug near the stables, but usually from weUs. The 

 tanks are occasionally so situated as to receive the drainage 

 of the ground around the bazaar, and are thus necessarily 

 very impure. 



In any case they are objectionable sources of water supply, 

 for great numbers of natives wash their clothes, and bathe in 

 them daily ; and the water, being stagnant, swarms with the 

 lower forms of animal and vegetable life. 



The wells usually contain fairly pure water if properly 

 looked after, but when neglected they become very filthy. 

 Every well should be surrounded with a low wall or plat- 

 form in order that the surface drainage of the neighbouring 

 oTOund may not run into it ; and it should also be covered 



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