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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/32376-0.txt b/32376-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d19ffa4 --- /dev/null +++ b/32376-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3438 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes on Stable Management in India and the +Colonies, by Joshua A. Nunn + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Notes on Stable Management in India and the Colonies + +Author: Joshua A. Nunn + +Release Date: May 15, 2010 [EBook #32376] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOTES ON STABLE MANAGEMENT *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + +NOTES ON STABLE MANAGEMENT. + + + + + NOTES ON + STABLE MANAGEMENT + IN INDIA AND THE COLONIES. + + + BY + VETY.-CAPT. J. A. NUNN, F.R.C.V.S., C.I.E., D.S.O., + + ARMY VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, + LATE PRINCIPAL LAHORE VETERINARY COLLEGE. + + + SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED, + WITH A GLOSSARY. + + + LONDON: + W. THACKER & CO., 2, CREED LANE. + CALCUTTA: THACKER, SPINK & CO. + 1897. + + [_All rights reserved._] + + + + LONDON: + PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, + STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The first edition of these notes, which was written in India, having been +sold out in a much shorter space of time than I ever anticipated when I +wrote it, I am induced to offer this to the public. The scope of the +original pamphlet has been adhered to, and all that is aimed at is to give +the new arrival in the East some idea as to the management of his horses, +especially those who are setting up a stable for the first time. The first +edition was written in India for Anglo-Indians, who are familiar with +native terms; but to this, being published in England, I have added a +glossary of the more ordinary Hindustani words likely to be of use. The +spelling of these will be probably found fault with by the Oriental +scholar; but I have endeavoured to bring it as near the sound as possible, +as it is only intended for persons in absolute ignorance of the +vernacular. There appearing to be a demand for the book in the colonies, +at the suggestion of the publishers I have added a few remarks on +Australia and South Africa. The entire work has been rewritten, and the +matter contained is the result of my own personal observations during +eighteen years' service in India and the colonies at both military and +civil duties. + +JOSHUA A. NUNN. + + LONDON, + _March_, 1897. + + + + +PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. + + +The following notes on Stable Management were originally delivered in a +lecture to the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Troopers of the +Punjab Light Horse, and as they were considered by the members of the +corps to be useful, at their request I have put them on paper. There is no +attempt at anything beyond the most elementary rudiments of horse-keeping +in India, and all they are intended for is to give volunteers of mounted +corps, who have not previously owned horses, some slight idea as to what +should be done for the care of their chargers, and not leave them entirely +in the hands of native syces and horse-keepers. + +JOSHUA A. NUNN. + + LAHORE, + _December_, 1895. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + +FOOD. + + Gram 1 + Barley 6 + Bran 7 + Bran Mash 9 + Oats 9 + Maize 11 + Wheat 13 + Rice 14 + Millet 15 + Pulses 15 + Linseed 16 + Linseed Cake 17 + Black Gram 18 + Preparation of Food 18 + Horses refusing Food 19 + Times of Feeding 20 + Bolting Food 21 + Spilling Food on Ground 22 + Grass 22 + Churrie 25 + Bhoosa 25 + Bamboo Leaves 27 + Oat Hay Forage 28 + Hay 29 + Green Food 32 + Green Gram 33 + Carrots 34 + Lucerne 34 + Guinea Grass 38 + Sugar Cane 38 + Turnips 39 + Salt 39 + Tonics 40 + Horses not Feeding 41 + Damaged Food 42 + Irregular Teeth 42 + Young Horses Cutting Teeth 44 + Quidding 44 + Indigestion 45 + Lampas 45 + Nose-bags 46 + Mangers 47 + Worms 48 + Rubbing the Tail 49 + Scouring 49 + + +WATER. + + Water 51 + Times of Watering 52 + Watering Troughs 53 + Watering on a Journey 53 + Watering after a Journey 54 + Watering Bridles 54 + Leeches 55 + Wells 56 + + +AIR AND VENTILATION. + + Stables 58 + Chicks 60 + Stable Floors 61 + Charcoal 62 + Picketing 62 + Bedding 63 + Sawdust 64 + Shavings 65 + Sand 65 + Horses eating Bedding 65 + Exercise 66 + + +GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, ETC. + + Heel Ropes 69 + Head Ropes 72 + Fetlock Picketing 73 + Picketing Posts 73 + Ringing 74 + Rheims 75 + Knee-haltering 75 + Shackles 75 + Picketing-pegs 76 + Leading-ropes 77 + Brushes and Gear 78 + Curry-combs 78 + Buckets 79 + Dusters 79 + Hoof-picker 80 + Clothing 80 + Hoods 81 + Body-rollers 82 + Bandages 83 + Summer Clothing 84 + Eye Fringes 84 + Fly Whisks 85 + Cleaning Horse Clothing, and Storing it in the Summer 85 + Numdahs 86 + Grooming 87 + Wisps and Grooming Pads 89 + Hand-rubbing 90 + Washing 91 + Uneven Manes 91 + Hogged Manes 92 + Ragged Legs 93 + Trimming Tails 94 + Clipping 94 + Cleaning the Sheath 95 + Lights in Stable 96 + Fires in Verandahs 96 + + +SADDLERY, HARNESS, CARRIAGES AND SERVANTS. + + Saddles and Harness 97 + Saddle Covers 98 + Bridles 99 + Harness 99 + Carriages 100 + Servants 101 + + +SHOEING 106 + + + + +STABLE MANAGEMENT. + + + + +FOOD. + + +Gram (_chunnah_). + +In the north of India the chief food on which horses are fed is gram, the +seed of one of the pea tribe of plants. It is a crop that ripens in the +beginning of the summer, when it is harvested, and the grain thrashed out +by driving cattle over it in a circle. The dry stalks, that are broken up +into small pieces, are used for feeding cattle on, and are known as "missa +bhoosa," in contradistinction to the stalks of the wheat when submitted to +the same process, and which is known as "suffaid," or white bhoosa. The +price of gram varies very greatly, according to the locality and season, +and is a subject of much speculation and gambling amongst the native +community. I have known it as high as 7 seers (14 lbs. weight), and as low +as a maund (80 lbs. weight), per rupee. It also varies greatly in +quality, depending on the locality in which it is grown and the conditions +under which it has been harvested, and is by native grain-sellers known as +first and second class gram. Good gram, when a small quantity is taken up +and examined in the palm of the hand, should be free from sand, dirt, +small pieces of stick, straws, or other sorts of seeds; in fact, it +should, what is known in the trade, "run clean." Each individual grain +should be round and plump, as if the husk was well filled. It should not +be shrivelled up and wrinkled, and be free from worm or weevil marks, +which can be told by there being a small round hole in it, and the grain, +when cracked, being found hollowed out and eaten away. Generally the +weevil (kirim) will be found in the cavity, but if not, it will be full of +a fine powder. Weevil-eaten gram cannot be mistaken, and denotes that the +grain is old, and has been badly stored. In most samples of gram, unless +quite new, a small proportion of worm-eaten grains will be found, and this +is not of any consequence; but if there are a large number, there will be +a larger proportion of husk (which has no nourishing properties) than +grain, and a larger quantity will have to be given. When a grain of gram +is crushed between the teeth it should impart the taste of a dry pea in +the mouth, and be devoid of all mustiness, which is present if it has got +wet or mouldy, as it is very apt to do. In new gram the husk at the point +is of a slightly greenish shade, that disappears with keeping. It is +generally supposed that new gram is not so good as when it is a few months +old; but myself, I have never seen any ill effects from its use. The only +thing to be careful about is that it is perfectly ripe, for natives have a +great trick of cutting and plucking every grain, fruit, and vegetable +before they have arrived at full maturity. Gram should be crushed or +bruised, not _ground_, so as to break the outer husk and allow the juices +of the stomach to act on the kernel. It should be crushed or bruised only, +as if ground into a fine powder a good deal goes to waste. It is +sufficient if each seed is so crushed that it is split in two. Gram, +wheat, and all other grains in the East are ground by the women of the +family between two stones, one of which revolves on the top of the other +by means of a wooden handle fixed in it. To crush gram the stones require +to be sharper set than if they are to grind any other grain into flour. +Gram can be got ready crushed from the corn-dealer (baniah) at a small +increased charge per maund (80 lbs.), or what I generally do is to pay my +head groom (syce) the regular bazaar rate (nirrick), and get the women of +his family to crush it, they providing their own mill (chuckie). The only +disadvantage of this plan is that it is necessary to weigh the grain a +second time after it has been crushed, otherwise it will be short, as +natives eat it themselves. But I found in the long run the syces would not +steal it; natives are sharp enough to see when any profit can be made, and +it was not to their advantage to give back short weight. Excellent +gram-crushing machines, working with fluted rollers, are sold by several +firms in India, and are adjustable so as to take any grain. They are made +to fit into a box for travelling, which, when in use, forms a stand for +the crusher to work on. They are, however, somewhat expensive, and +although admirable for a large stud of horses, are hardly required for a +private stable. If, however, expense is no object, they are certainly +preferable to the native mill, as they are cleaner, bits of grit not +coming off the stone, and each individual grain being crushed, which even +the best native mills will not do. Crushed grain is much quicker digested +than whole, particularly by old horses whose teeth are not in good order, +and who cannot masticate their food properly. It is a common mistake to +give too much gram or other grain, there being a prevailing idea that the +more that is given the more work the horse will do. There is no greater +error; it is like putting more coal into the furnace of an engine that can +only consume a certain amount; the extra quantity only goes to waste, and +upsets the digestive functions of the stomach. What is required is a +judicious admixture of food given at a proper time; not a large quantity +improperly given of an improper quality. Gram should be given in the +proportion of one part of bran to two of gram; or what is better, one part +each of bran (choker), gram, and parched barley (adarwah), or oats (jai), +by weight. These can be purchased separately from the corn-dealer and +mixed together, and thus cannot be eaten by any of the servants, like pure +gram can be. If the horse is not digesting his food properly, whole grains +will be found in his droppings that have passed through the bowels +unaltered. There will be always a few of these found, especially if the +horse is getting parched barley or oats, as the husks of both these grains +are very indigestible. If the horse begins to get thin, and fall away in +condition as well, it is then time to take some measures to remedy +matters, otherwise no notice need be taken. + + +Barley (_jow_). + +In many parts of Northern India, especially on the Afghan frontier, whole, +uncrushed barley is used. It does not seem to hurt country-breds, but with +old animals that are not used to it, and particularly Australians, the +practice is dangerous. During the Afghan War, on one occasion there being +no other grain available, whole barley was supplied to the horses of the +battery of artillery to which I then belonged. A number of them were +attacked with colic, and several died from the irritation caused by the +pointed awns or ends of the beards to the bowels. No doubt horses, and +particularly young ones, will get used to feeding on most grains if the +change is brought about gradually, but a sudden change from any one to +another is dangerous. At the best, whole barley is not an economical food. +The husk resists the digestive action of the stomach and intestines, and a +quantity is always passed out of the body whole. Barley ought certainly +always to be crushed, or, better still, parched, and turned into +"adarwah." This is done by professional grain parchers in the bazaar; but +sometimes, though rarely, some of the women of the servants' families can +do it. It consists of half filling a wide shallow iron pan with sand, and +placing it over a fire till nearly red hot. A couple of handfuls of the +grain is then thrown into the sand with a peculiar turn of the wrist which +scatters it over the hot surface, about which it is stirred for a few +seconds with an iron spoon or small shovel pierced with holes like a +fish-ladle. The grain is partially baked, swells up and becomes brittle, +the husk cracking, when it is scraped up and lifted out with the ladle, +the sand being riddled through back into the pan. A good parcher will turn +out a "maund" (80 lbs.) in a wonderfully short space of time, the whole +process being gone through with a dexterity only acquired by long +practice. In India barley usually runs very light, there being a great +deal of husk. Boiled barley is a most useful diet for a sick horse. It +requires well boiling for at least half an hour, and the water then +drained off. I have known horses drink this barley-water when they won't +look at anything else. + + +Bran (_choker_). + +In most of the large stations in India there are flour-mills in which +wheat is ground with the latest machinery, and when obtained from them, +bran differs but little from what is seen in England; but in smaller +places wheat is ground by native mills, and then the bran is not so clean. +When native-made bran is run over the hand, it will be seen that there is +a large amount of flour in it, which adheres to the skin like a white +powder, and which makes it much more nourishing than the cleaner prepared +article. The scales also of native-made bran are much more irregular in +size than the European manufactured article. Bran should have a clean, +fresh smell about it, and the newer it is the better; if kept long it is +likely to get mouldy. This is particularly the case during the rainy +season, when the atmosphere being saturated with moisture, a good deal is +absorbed by the bran, and if kept in this state for any time will get +mouldy. On this account, if it is necessary to store bran during the rainy +season, it should be kept in tin boxes. The inside lining of old packing +cases, in which perishable goods are brought out from England, do well for +this purpose, and plenty can be got for a small sum in the bazaar shops; +or, if not, any native tinsmith will make a box out of old kerosine oil +tins for a small sum. + + +Bran Mash. + +It is a good plan, particularly in warm weather, in any country to give +horses a bran mash once a week, and if one particular evening is fixed +upon, syces get into the habit of giving it regularly without special +orders. I generally used to give a standing order to give it on Saturday +night, for, as a rule, the horses are not required on Sunday. Bran has a +slightly relaxing effect, that in warm climates is particularly +beneficial. Bran mash is made by simply putting the necessary quantity of +bran into a bucket, pouring boiling water gradually on to it, at the same +time stirring it round with a stick until the whole is moist and mixed +together. The bran should only be damped sufficiently to make it stick +together, and should not be sloppy and wet. Some horses at first will not +eat bran, but they can be tempted to by mixing a handful of whatever grain +they have been used to with it. + + +Oats (_jai_). + +Oats are now largely grown over the Punjab, Northern India, and in +Tirhoot, and are sold at nearly the same price as barley. In the seaport +towns Australian oats can usually be obtained; and as good oats are grown +in the colonies as any part of the world. They are more expensive than +the native article, and are generally only used for training race-horses +on. The Indian oat, compared with the English, Australian, or South +African, is a poor article, running very light, with a great amount of +husk; but if properly crushed, and mixed with gram and bran in proportions +of one part of each, they are greatly superior to barley. The oat in India +is a winter crop, and is harvested in the spring. Both colonial and Indian +oats are always white. I have never seen the black or tawny variety which +is so common in Ireland. A demand having arisen for them by Europeans, it +is sometimes possible in Northern India to buy them in the bazaar; but +generally it is necessary to make a special arrangement with the grower, +as natives do not use them as a feeding grain for their own animals. They +grow the crop round the wells, and cut it green in the straw as forage for +the well and plough bullocks in the spring, when they are working hard. +Arrangements can generally be made with the cultivator to purchase so much +from him by weight, thrashed and delivered at your own stable, or else to +purchase so many acres of the standing crop as it is growing; but the +former plan is the most satisfactory, as it is astonishing the heavy crop +that will be produced; and, on the contrary, you will be equally +astonished to find with the other plan how light it is. The negotiations +for the supply of oats should be entered into in good time in the +spring--say about the beginning of March--as it is astonishing how slow +such matters progress in the East, and they had better be left in the +hands of your head syce. No doubt you will be cheated out of a small +amount, but you must make up your mind for this before arriving in the +East; but you will have the satisfaction of knowing that if you tried to +carry on negotiations yourself you would be cheated out of more. I have +tried both plans, and found that the syce could drive a better bargain for +both of us than when I attempted to deal direct with the cultivator. + + +Maize (_makkai_). + +Although grown all over India, maize is not much used for feeding horses; +but in South Africa, where it is known as "mealies," it is the staple food +grain for both man and beast. In India it is said to make horses fat and +soft, but no animal in the world does harder work than a South African +post-cart horse. In all probability the reason they do well on maize is +that in the oat-hay forage they get there is a considerable quantity of +grain; and although I have never seen it used, the experiment of feeding +on oats and maize would be worth while trying in India. In South Africa +maize is usually given whole, but in any of the towns it can be obtained +crushed, and it is better to give it in this state. During the Afghan War +maize was plentiful in some parts of the country, and I gave it to some of +the horses that I had charge of. I had it parched on hot sand, in the same +way as barley (adarwah) is parched, making it into American pop-corn. With +certain somewhat thin and debilitated animals it had a marked effect in +getting flesh on them, and all horses eat it greedily. In India maize is a +summer crop, ripening in the autumn, when the ears or cobs are picked off +the stalks. It is stored in the cob, and the individual grains knocked off +as required by rapping them against a stick; but they must be turned over +in the heap occasionally, as rats and mice are likely to cause damage, +particularly the musk rat, that taints everything it comes into contact +with. Horses have frequently been brought to me, said to be off their +feed, and on inquiry I have found this only to be caused by the grain +being tainted by musk rats, and that when a clean feed is offered to them +they devour it ravenously. There are in South Africa and America a number +of varieties of maize, but in India I only know of two sorts, in one of +which the seeds are white and the other yellow, or a deep red colour. I +don't think that there is much difference in them as far as horse food +goes, but each individual grain should be plump, and fill out the husk +well; they should be free from weevils, worms, or the marks of attacks +from rats and mice. The husk should be well filled out, and have a +shining, pearl-like, glistening appearance, and when let fall on a stone +or other hard substance give off a metallic sound. When broken open, the +grain inside should be of a pure white colour, and of a pleasant, mealy +smell, like fresh flour. If it is discoloured, it denotes that it has been +wet and fermented. Maize can be crushed by most grain-crushing machines, +also in the native mill (chuckie) if the stones are properly set; but both +in South Africa and India the natives pound it in a large wooden mortar +made out of the trunk of a tree. + + +Wheat (_ghehun_). + +Although it is not to be recommended as a food, still I have seen wheat +used when no other grain could be obtained, and it was a choice of it or +nothing at all; and in parts of Australia, and, I believe, America, it is +regularly used as a horse food. It is commonly supposed that wheat is +almost a rank poison to horses, and will cause fever in the feet; and no +doubt with stabled animals in England it will do so, especially as the +majority of cases of this nature are from accidents--horses getting loose +and gorging themselves with wheat during the night, or when unobserved. +With animals standing out in the open and working hard, as they do in +India and the colonies, it is not so dangerous. I should not suddenly +change a horse's feed from oats or gram to a full ration of wheat; but +when nothing else can be got, it can be given in a small quantity without +much fear of danger; but as soon as any other grain could be obtained, it +should be used. + + +Rice (_dhan_). + +In Eastern Bengal and Assam horses are fed on unhusked rice and will do +well on it. During the expedition into the Lushai Hills in 1879-80, in +many places nothing else could be got to feed the transport mules on. Gram +is not grown in that part of the country, and what little there is has to +be imported, and is at a prohibitive price. I found that animals did well +enough on an equal mixture of gram and rice, although at first some of +them refused it. In Japan rice is the only grain horses get, and the pack +ponies of that country are hardy beasts, and appear to work well on it. If +the rice can be crushed, it is all the better; and in Bengal and Assam +there is no difficulty in getting this done, as it is the food of the +people, and they grind it for their own use. + + +Millet (_bajara_). + +The various millets, known in South Africa as "Kaffir-corn," are not often +used in India as horse food, but in the Cape it sometimes is. In India the +millet is a summer crop harvested in the autumn. The seeds are small, and +of a dark or greyish colour. It requires to be crushed before use, as the +husk is very hard. + + +Pulses (_dhal_). + +The various species of pulse grains enter largely into the food of the +natives of India. Two, known as "mung" and "mote," or "moat," are +excellent for getting flesh on thin, debilitated animals. They are both +small oblong seeds of an olive green colour, with a very hard husk, and +can be obtained in any bazaar. I prefer the mote to the mung. They both +require to be well boiled to the consistency of a jelly before use, and +then being well mixed in with the food, about a pound in weight of the raw +seed being enough for each feed, so that the horse gets three pounds +daily, a corresponding quantity of the other grain being withdrawn. I have +seen most excellent results in weak animals recovering from a debilitating +illness from its use, but great care must be taken that it is boiled +properly. + + +Linseed (_ulsie_). + +Linseed can be obtained all over India. In fact, a good deal of what is on +the English market comes from the East. Under certain conditions it is +useful in putting on flesh, and as a diet for convalescents; but care must +be exercised in its use, as it contains a great deal of oil, and in cases +of sickness with liver complications, which are common in a hot climate, +especially in English and Australian horses, it is to be avoided. It has +to be boiled to a jelly before use, or, better still, soak it in cold +water for some hours until soft, and then boil it. In the hot weather, +however, I prefer to use either the "mote" or "mung" to linseed. + + +Linseed Cake (_rhal_ or _khal_). + +Linseed cake can be obtained in nearly every large town, and is the +residue left after the oil is expressed; but as this process is +imperfectly performed, a good deal of oil is left--much more than in the +steam-pressed English cake. It is sold by the "seer" (2 lbs. weight), but +in irregular lumps, not moulded into cakes as in Europe. Care must be +taken in buying it, as it is very likely to be musty, and adulterated with +mustard or rape seed. Both these can be easily detected by the taste or +smell, leaving a pungent odour and a sharp burning taste behind. The best +plan is to crush a small quantity of the cake and drop it into some +boiling water, when the sharp smell and taste characteristic of the +mustard and rape oil will be given off. A small quantity of linseed cake +in the food will fatten horses tremendously, but makes them soft in +condition. It is one of the articles used by native dealers to fatten +horses for sale, and at this they are most expert. When crushed it can be +mixed with the food, or boiled to make linseed tea for sick horses; and +for this latter purpose I prefer it to linseed, as there is less oil in +it, the smell of which sometimes nauseates an animal and causes him to +refuse it. + + +Black Gram (_cooltee_). + +In the Madras Presidency and Southern India black gram is used, the Bengal +white gram not being grown there. This has to be boiled before use. +Military horses are fed on it, but it is said that it makes them soft. I +have, however, no personal experience of black gram. + + +Preparation of Food. + +In India it is the custom to damp the food before it is given. It should +not be saturated so as to turn it into a sloppy paste, but just damped +sufficiently to make the particles stick together. Grooms (syces) +generally deal out each feed into a bucket dry from the corn-bin, and then +damp it; but a better plan is to weigh out the whole of the amount +required for all the horses, and put it into a wide-mouthed earthen bowl +called a "naund," that can be purchased for a few pence, or a box, such as +an old wine case, and damp the whole amount together, then portioning it +out for each animal. The reason of this is that, if the grain is damped in +the buckets, they are at once taken away, and, the probabilities are, +never cleaned; but if they have to be brought forward for each feed to be +put into them, and the owner takes the trouble now and again to inspect +them, "syces," who are creatures of habit, get into the way of cleaning +them before they bring them forward. The box, or naund, in which the grain +is damped being stationary, can be looked at any time. It is necessary to +be very careful about this, as the particles of food left very quickly +ferment in a hot climate, and get sour, and quickly taint all the rest. As +a rule, about ten minutes is long enough to damp grain; and this should be +done as soon before feeding as possible, otherwise, if left long standing, +it will get sour. If a horse refuses his feed, it should be at once thrown +away, and on no account be kept till the next meal, by which time it is +pretty certain to have fermented. + + +Horses refusing Food. + +Some horses are delicate feeders naturally, and take a long time in +eating, or refuse their food altogether. In the case of a delicate or slow +feeder, the food should be given in small quantities and often, rather +than in the usual somewhat rather large feeds three times a day; and the +horse should be fed by himself. This is easily done in India, as nearly +all stables are loose boxes; but if the animal is picketed out with others +that are likely to teaze him, he should be taken away and fed out of a +bucket in the "compound" (garden or enclosure round the house). "Syces," +like all natives of India, have no idea of the value of time; and if he +has his "hooka" (pipe), and a friend to talk to about the price of +food-stuffs, rates of wages, and other such-like interesting bazaar +topics, he is perfectly content to sit holding the bucket before the horse +all day long, if necessary. If the animal refuses his food altogether, +then it should be taken away, for if left standing in front of him he +breathes on it, and if it remains any considerable time it becomes sour +and fermented, and he gets disgusted with it; whereas, if taken away and +nothing more given till next feeding-time, the appetite often returns, and +the food is consumed with a relish; especially in the warm weather, if he +is first led out and exercised, or picketed out under a tree. On no +account should the feed that has been refused be kept over till the next +feeding-time; a fresh one should be prepared, as in a hot climate wet +grain ferments and turns sour in a very short space of time. + + +Times of Feeding. + +The stomach of the horse is very small in proportion to the size of his +body, and he requires to be fed often, and in small quantities. In +England hunters are fed four, or even five, times a day. In India it is +the usual custom to feed three times, and perhaps it is often enough. In +all military stations a gun is fired at noon, and the midday feed is given +at that hour; but the morning and evening one varies with the season of +the year. I usually give only half a feed in the evening about five +o'clock, and the remainder the last thing at night, about eight or nine, +according to the season of the year; but, unless carefully watched, +"syces" will not do this, as it is the custom only to feed three times +daily, and "dastour" (custom) is a thing it is impossible to make a native +break through. + + +Bolting Food. + +Some horses have a trick of bolting their food without masticating it +properly, especially if another is being fed in their company. It is a +good plan to feed such horses apart from any others, which can easily be +done in an Indian stable, as they are all loose boxes, or, if picketed out +in the open, by moving him a short distance away from the others. A small +quantity of chaff, grass, straw, or what is known as "bhoosa," which is +wheat straw that is crushed and broken into small pieces in the process +of treading out the grain by bullocks, mixed in with the feed, will +usually make them masticate it properly. + + +Spilling Food on Ground. + +Horses have also a trick sometimes of throwing their food out of the +bucket or manger, and spilling a quantity on the ground. Not only is a +large amount wasted, but when the animal has finished what is left, and +tries at his leisure to gather up what is on the ground, he eats a large +amount of earth and dirt with it, which is injurious. The best way I know +to prevent this is to feed the horse on a cloth on the ground; any bit of +old sacking about four feet square will answer for the purpose. + + +Grass. + +In India hay is not often seen, and horses are fed on grass; even +race-horses are trained on it. This may at first sound strange, but Indian +grass is very different to English meadow grass, and chiefly consists of +the roots and runners, the actual blade of grass not being more than about +an inch long. The best grass is what is known as "dhoob." It is a short +grass, with long roots and suckers, which is dug up out of the ground with +a short iron hoe or trowel, called a "kurpa," which is used with a +scraping motion of the hand, the process being called "cheeling." A +considerable quantity of earth is taken up with it, which ought to be +knocked off against the hoe; but as the grass is sold by weight, and the +usual quantity a private "grass-cutter" is supposed to bring in daily is +20 seers (40 lbs. weight), it is not to his advantage to clean it. If +horses eat dirty grass for any length of time, the sand and dirt, besides +damaging the teeth, is likely to accumulate in the intestines and give +rise to what is known as sand colic. When the "grass-cutter" brings in his +bundle of grass that he has collected, which he generally does at midday, +it should be spread out and cleaned; sticks and thorns should be picked +out, as they are likely to lodge in the horse's throat and choke him, and +it should be well beaten with a stick to get rid of the sand and dirt. A +good plan is to fasten a net between the wooden framework of a "charpoy," +or native bedstead, lay the grass on it, and beat it there with a stick, +and it is surprising what a quantity of rubbish will fall through. An old +lawn tennis net, if the meshes are not too big, answers well for this +purpose. Grass-cutters are fond of wetting the grass to make it weigh. If +it is brought in fresh, and damped with clean water beyond the actual +loss in weight, I do not know that it does much harm; but it is +exceedingly likely that the water has been obtained from some stagnant +dirty puddle, and the bundle has been left standing for some time so that +fermentation has set in, giving it an unpleasant smell. It is therefore +best to have the bundles at once opened out and spread in the sun to dry +as soon as they are brought in, and not allow the "grass-cutters" to take +them away to their own houses. In parts of the foot hills of the Himalayas +("hurriarie," or "hurrialie") grass is obtained. It is not found in the +plains, or in the very high mountains where it is cold. It is a long +grass, running to about three feet high, and is cut with a curved sickle. +When young and green it is a capital fodder grass; but when the seed is +shed, and it gets dry, it is unfit for any other purpose than bedding, as +the stalks get very hard and brittle, and so dry that there is little or +no nourishment in it. It should not then be allowed into the stable for +any other purpose than bedding; but being much easier to collect than +"dhoob" grass, the "grass-cutters" will bring it as long as they are +allowed to, even when it resembles nothing more than a bundle of sticks. I +have frequently heard owners of horses in the hills complain of their +animals getting thin and out of condition, the cause of which on inquiry +was simply due to the bad dry hurrialie grass that was brought for them to +eat. + + +Churrie. + +This is the dried stalk of one of the shorgum tribe of plants, which is +also known as the Chinese sugar-cane. It is a summer crop cut in the +autumn. It grows to five or six feet high, and is cut and stored by the +natives as a fodder for the cattle. It would to the new-comer appear to be +a most unsuitable article of food, but is full of saccharine matter, +tasting quite sweet when chewed in the mouth, so much so that in parts a +rough sugar is extracted from it, but to look at is like a bundle of dried +reeds. Animals of all sorts are very fond of it, and I have frequently fed +my horses on it for days together in out-of-the-way places where no grass +was to be obtained. It is not used as a regular horse fodder, but it does +well for it on a pinch. + + +Bhoosa. + +In the East all grain is threshed out by the primitive process of putting +it in a circle and driving bullocks round on it, and in this process the +grain is trodden out of the ear, the straw being split and broken up by +the animals' feet into small fragments from one-eighth to two or three +inches in length, which is called "bhoosa." This is the staple food of the +working cattle, and is also used for horses. It is a most important item +of the crop, and in the rural economy of an Indian village almost as much +is thought of it as the grain itself. Wheat and barley straw makes what is +called "white bhoosa," and gram and the various pulses "missa bhoosa." +Both these can be used as horse food; in fact, on the Afghan frontier they +get nothing else, and many natives feed their animals entirely on it, +never giving them grass; but although they will eat it, and for a time +keep condition, it is not to be recommended. If it has to be used, and it +is possible to obtain any grass, they should be mixed together. A small +quantity of "bhoosa" mixed in the feed will make a greedy feeder masticate +it. "White bhoosa" looks like badly chopped straw-chaff. "Missa bhoosa" is +of a dark colour, the particles not being straight-like sticks, but bent +about, and frequently there are a quantity of the leaves of the plant +mixed with it. Care should be taken that both sorts are not mouldy, which +is very apt to be the case, as the native farmers store it in large +quantities during the winter, and when the new crop comes on, if there is +any of last year's left, it is what they try and sell. Being stacked in +the open, it is exceedingly likely to get damaged by the rain. "Bhoosa" +should have a clean, fresh smell like sweet straw, not be discoloured or +have any patches of mould about it, and be free from impurities such as +sticks, thorns, or pieces of mud or stones. + + +Bamboo Leaves (_bāns_). + +In Eastern Bengal, Assam, and parts of Burma, the green leaves and young +shoots of the bamboo are used for forage. During the Chin-Lushai +Expedition in 1889-90, the animals with the force got nothing else for +nearly eight months. I had three ponies of my own that were worked +moderately hard the whole time, and they remained in good condition. The +transport mules, which were worked very hard indeed in a very trying +climate, did not fall away nearly as much as I expected. The young shoots +and leaves are cut with a sort of a billhook, called a "dah," and care +must be taken that only the young green leaves and soft tender shoots are +given, the old leaves and the edges of the dry stumps of the bamboo +cutting like a razor. I have seen some bad wounds on the lips, tongue, and +angles of the mouth from this cause. It is best to make the "syces" and +"grass-cutters" pluck the leaves off the branches altogether, and not +leave them about the stable, for fear of wounding the horses. This they +will readily do, as they use the _débris_ for fuel. I have seen some bad +cuts and injuries in both men and animals from the edges of the split +bamboo, which are very sharp--so much so that the savage tribes on the +eastern frontier use a properly split piece of bamboo for a knife in +skinning animals; and the sap of the green bamboo appears to have a +peculiarly irritating or poisonous action, a wound caused by it festering +and suppurating in both man and beast, whereas one inflicted with a dry +bamboo will heal up healthy. Horses require a larger amount of bamboo +leaves than grass. If an animal is getting 20 lbs. of green "dhoob" grass +daily, he will require 30 lbs. of bamboo leaves to keep him in condition. +Although at first horses may refuse them, they take to them kindly after a +little while. + + +Oat Hay Forage. + +In the South African colonies grass hay is almost unknown. The oat is cut +when about half ripe, dried, and given in the straw, in which condition it +is known as forage, and is excellent feeding. It is usually sold in +bundles, wholesale at so much per hundred, and retail at hotels and +livery stables at so many bundles for a shilling. Some years ago, when I +was travelling in the Dutch part of South Africa, in the more +out-of-the-way parts of which there are no hotels, it was the custom to +ask the owner of the farmhouse where you arrived permission to +"off-saddle" if you were riding, or "out-span" if driving, for the night +or a couple of hours, as the case might be. This was a roundabout way of +asking if he could put you and your animals up for the night. When leaving +in the morning, it would have been a great breach of good manners to ask +for your bill, but you inquired what you were indebted to his head-boy for +the forage your horses had consumed--a polite way of asking for your +account; the number of bundles per shilling varying according to the time +you remained, and the accommodation you had received; but, notwithstanding +this fiction, I did not, as a rule, find the total any less than in a +regular hotel where you get your bill. + + +Hay. + +Hay, as is known in Europe and Australia, is never seen in India. In some +parts, what is called hay can be obtained; but, compared to English meadow +hay, it is at the best but poor stuff. No doubt hay of a very tolerable +quality can be made in India; in fact, I have done so, but usually the +grass is cut after the plant has flowered, the seed ripened and shed, when +it is what is known as "the sap being down," and then it is dry and with +little nourishment in it. It is generally also allowed to lie out too long +after it has been cut in a hot, powerful sun, which utterly bakes it up. +The grass should be cut when the seed is green and the sap well up in it, +and should not be allowed to remain too long drying. I have generally +found that from eight to ten hours of the Indian sun was enough, so that +grass cut in the morning should be stacked at night; it will then not be +utterly dried up, and in the stack will undergo the process of +fermentation that gives the characteristic smell to English hay. There is +a certain amount of difficulty in doing this. The grass flowers and seeds +at the end of the hot weather, about September, when the monsoon rains are +on, and these sometimes last for days together. It is, therefore, +sometimes difficult to get a fine day to cut and save the hay in before +the seed is shed; and before the dry weather again sets in the sap has +gone down, and there is but little nutriment left in the grass. It is not +a bad plan to sprinkle some salt over each layer of hay as the stack is +made up; horses eat this cured hay with great relish. In making up the +stack, a bundle or two of straw, put on end from the bottom upwards, +should be built into the centre of it as it is being raised up, to act as +a chimney or ventilator to carry off the heat while the stack is +fermenting. If this is not done, there is danger of its catching fire; and +even if it should not heat to such a degree, part is likely to get +discoloured--what is termed "mow-burned." This chimney can be made with +bundles of sticks, boards, or even stones; but sick horses will often eat +the straw from the centre of a haystack when they won't look at anything +else, and it sometimes comes in useful, and in any event, is not wasted. +The stack should be built on a foundation of brambles, stones, or a mud +platform--the latter being the best--to raise it and protect it from +damage by the rains, which at times come in a regular flood, and also to +keep out rats, mice, and other vermin. When the stack gets down to the +bottom, care should be exercised in handling it, as it is a great refuge +for snakes, and I have seen one fatal accident from snake bite from this +cause. It, then, is a good plan to make the men remove the hay in small +quantities at a time with a hay-fork, which is easily made by fastening a +couple of short sticks converging from each other on to a long bamboo; +but natives are such fatalists that, no matter how much warned of the +danger they are incurring, they will not take the commonest precautions as +to their safety if it gives them a little extra trouble. A somewhat larger +quantity of dry grass is required than green "dhoob" by weight, the +proportion being about 15 to 20 lbs. respectively. + + +Green Food (_khawid_, or _khasil_). + +In the spring of the year in India it is common to give horses green +wheat, oats, or barley. This is cut in the straw from the time it is about +a foot high until the grain begins to ripen, a period that lasts about a +month or six weeks in the Punjab--from the middle of February till the end +of March. This green food is called by the natives "khawid," or "khasil." +It has an excellent effect on the system, and is what is used by the +native dealers to get their horses into condition for sale. Too large a +quantity should not be given at first, as it is likely to cause +diarrhœa; about 4 lbs. daily being sufficient at first, but it may be +increased up to double this amount if it agrees with the animal. Care +should be taken that the green food is only given when young and the straw +tender, for when it gets ripe, and the straw woody and hard, it is very +indigestible, and a common cause of intestinal obstruction and colic. In +some parts green barley is given in the same manner, and when it is young +it is as good as wheat or oats; but when it begins to ripen it should be +stopped, as the awns or beards begin to get hard, and not only are they +likely to choke the horse, but to cause dangerous intestinal obstruction. +Oats can be given much longer than barley or wheat; in fact, as I have +said, ripe oats are cut in the straw, and used as hay in many parts of the +world. The green crop must be purchased standing from a cultivator, and +this is best arranged through your head "syce." It is sold by measurement, +a patch in the field being marked out; or else the grass-cutters go and +cut as much as is required daily, the whole amount used being afterwards +measured up and paid for at the fixed bazaar rate, or, as it is termed, +the "nirrick." + + +Green Gram. + +Natives are very fond of giving horses green gram, but it is a most +dangerous custom. It is most indigestible, the stalk when green being full +of a strong tough fibre. The sap and leaves have a peculiar irritating or +almost corrosive property, and in the spring of the year many fatal cases +of intestinal disease are caused by it. + + +Carrots (_gajar_). + +Carrots are plentiful all over Northern India. They come on in the spring, +and are an excellent green food. They can be bought very cheaply, and if +kept in a cool, dry place, can be stored for a considerable time; but they +require to be turned almost daily, or they will get rotten. When used they +should either be washed to remove the earth, or, as in the East this is +quite dry, knocked with a stick to remove it. They should be given whole, +or else cut into long slices, not across into lumps. This latter practice +is dangerous, as horses are thus inclined to bolt them whole, and the +short round lump is likely to stick in the throat and cause choking. + + +Lucerne. + +Lucerne grows well all over Northern India, and although not cultivated by +the natives for their own use, they know perfectly well what it is, and +call it by the English name. In most of the towns where there are any +Europeans collected together, it is usual to grow it in the Government or +station garden, from where it can be purchased retail. Some native corps, +who remain some time in the one place, also grow it for the benefit of the +regiment, and sometimes it is possible to obtain some from them; but as a +rule they only have enough for their own use. Round the large military +cantonments in some places, the neighbouring farmers, finding that there +is a demand for it, have taken to growing it for sale, and it can be +bought in the bazaar; but as the supply is not certain, it is better to +enter into a contract with one of the growers to supply the quantity by +weight daily required. In making this bargain it is best to use the agency +of the head "syce," as if it falls short, or is not forthcoming, he can be +made responsible; and natives being erratic creatures, it is quite +possible that some morning you may be told that there is no more, or that +the grower has sold his crop to some one else, perhaps at even a smaller +price than you are giving. Whenever there is a well in the compound, and I +have been long enough in one place, I have always grown as much as I could +for myself. It is easily done, and there is no more useful crop in +connection with an Indian stable. In the dry, hot weather the difference +in the condition of horses that are getting a fairly liberal supply of +green food, and those that are only getting the burned-up grass that is +then procurable, is most marked. The only difficulty about growing lucerne +is that at first a large supply of water is necessary until the roots +strike. If you have a garden, then, of course, you have to keep a pair of +bullocks to raise water from the well for irrigation purposes; but if you +do not run to this luxury, then a pair of bullocks can be hired for two or +three days in the week. The landlord of the house has to keep the well and +the Persian wheel, by which the water is raised, in order, and find the +first pair of ropes for it. The tenant has to find the earthen pots, or +"chatties," that are fastened on to it, by which the water is raised up. +These "chatties" are cheap things enough, but they are easily broken. I +always found that the best plan was to provide the first lot myself, and +then give a small sum monthly to the gardener to keep them going; and it +saved money in the end, as I found that not nearly so many were smashed +under this system as when I paid for what were required. If a gardener is +regularly employed, it is, of course, part of his business to look after +the lucerne bed; but for an ordinary stable of, say, four or five animals, +an acre of lucerne will be ample, and a man exclusively for this is not +necessary. A gardener can be got for about Rs. 10 a month, but a man can +be got to come two or three times a week and look after it for half this. +I found, however, that if I gave it to one of the syces, that the women +and children of his family would attend to it, as, when once started, it +only requires weeding, and that the work was better done than by a +professional gardener, unless one was regularly employed. The best seed is +the acclimatized English, or the Cabul brought down from Afghanistan. The +English seed can be obtained from any seedsman, or the Government +Horticultural Gardens at Lahore or Saharunpore, at about a rupee a pound, +and this is enough to sow about an acre with, which should be done at the +end of the cold weather. If only a small quantity is grown, it is best to +sow it on ridges, as it then, no doubt, can be kept free from weeds, and +the cost of weeding, on an acre or two, is but trifling; but it is an +error to suppose that lucerne cannot be sown broadcast. At the cattle farm +at Hissar, in the Punjab, several hundred acres were grown in this way, as +the cost of making ridges on such a large quantity of land would have been +prohibitive. Of course, this lucerne was not so clean as if it had been +grown on ridges, but the cattle picked it out from the weeds when it was +put before them. Fresh seed will have to be sown about every three years, +and the crop may be cut about five or six times during the season. About 4 +lbs. is enough for a horse, but it is best to begin with half this +quantity and gradually increase it, as if too large an amount is given at +once it is likely to cause colic. + + +Guinea Grass. + +Some years ago this was a very favourite grass forage to grow for horses, +but lately lucerne has supplanted it, and, I think, rightly. The advantage +of guinea grass is that it lasts through the hottest months of the year, +which lucerne does not, but it requires a great deal of water. It grows in +separate tufts, and they should be planted some distance apart, or +otherwise they will crowd each other out. + + +Sugar Cane (_gunna_). + +Sugar cane is not often used as an actual food, but horses are very fond +of it, and on my visits to the stable I usually had some pieces carried +after me in a basket when it was in season. It ripens at the end of the +summer, and lasts into the winter. It is sold in long sticks, and should +be chopped up into pieces; but the servants will steal it, as they eat it +themselves as a sweetmeat. + + +Turnips (_shalgham_). + +The ordinary white turnip grows all over the Punjab in the winter, and +when carrots are not to be procured, I have used them in their place, +preparing them in the same manner. Horses soon learn to eat and relish +them. + + +Salt (_nimmuk_). + +Salt is required by all animals in a certain quantity in their food to +keep them in health. There are three different varieties sold in the +native shops. Rock salt ("putter ke nimmuk"); ordinary salt, which is +merely the rock salt crushed and powdered; and black salt ("kali nimmuk"). +On the coast sea salt can also be obtained, but it is not to be found far +inland. The common custom in India is to give powdered salt in the food, +the usual daily allowance being about an ounce. I prefer to leave a lump +of rock salt in the manger for the horse to lick when he likes. Some +owners have a lump of it hung by a string to the wall, but I do not think +this is advisable, as I have known more than one horse turn a wind-sucker +from getting into the habit of licking and playing with it. + + +Tonics. + +It is a common supposition, deeply rooted in the minds of horsemen, that, +when a horse loses condition, he at once requires a tonic; and an immense +number of these and "condition powders" are advertised. There is no better +paying speculation in the world than the sale of these articles, as the +majority of them consist of a few cheap and simple ingredients, that are +retailed to the public at a hundred per cent. their original cost; and the +best that can be said about these nostrums is that some of them are +innocent and do no harm, while they serve to amuse the owner. The action +of a tonic is to stimulate the appetite, and if the horse is feeding well +they are certainly useless, if not actually harmful. If the horse feeds, +and continues to fall off in condition, the chances are that there is +something wrong in the stable management, which should be carefully +inquired into. If this only occurs once with one animal, the inference is +that medical advice is required, but if several are in the same state, or +it is a matter of constant occurrence, then in most cases a change of +"syce" is required, and it will be usually found better and cheaper than +having recourse to any of these various advertised "cure-alls." + + +Horses not Feeding. + +Horses refuse their food from a variety of causes. It is usually the first +symptom noticed in the majority of attacks of illness, and I cannot too +strongly urge that in such cases the sooner professional advice is +obtained the better, there being nothing in which the old proverb, "a +stitch in time saves nine," more applies to. On the other hand, horse +owners are inclined to get very anxious without cause about horses not +feeding, and to imagine that because he refuses to feed, or does not +finish it up with a good appetite, that the animal is in a dangerous +state. Horses are much like ourselves, and we all know that we sometimes +do not feel inclined to do justice to a "square" meal, and that if we dine +off a plate of soup we feel ready for a good breakfast in the morning. If +the horse refuses his feed, or only plays about with it, have it at once +removed; at the next only give him a little hay or grass, and the +probabilities are that at the next he will eat up his grain with a hearty +appetite. If he does not, then the sooner professional advice is called in +the better, as you may be certain that something is wrong. + + +Damaged Food. + +Damaged, mouldy, or sour food, the horse, of course, will not eat unless +he is very hungry, and then only sufficient to stay his appetite. Damaged +grain there is no excuse for, and can only be given through carelessness +or indifference on the part of the owner or his servants. Sour food, or +food that has fermented, is, with the best intentions, likely to be placed +before the animal, as it is surprising how soon fermentation will set up +in damp grain in a hot climate. The food should not be damped more than +twenty minutes or half an hour at the most before it is given, and a dirty +bucket will easily contaminate it. In the hot weather in India, +particularly during the rains, when both man and beast are down below par, +very little will put both off their feed. If the food, however, is at all +sour it ought to be at once detected, as the smell is unmistakable. + + +Irregular Teeth. + +In old horses the back teeth get irregular and worn in such a fashion that +the food cannot be masticated and crushed, and is not then properly +digested. The upper jaw of the horse is wider than the lower one, so that +the upper teeth overlap the lower ones at the outside, and the lower ones +the upper at the inside. By continually wearing, the upper back teeth get +worn down more on the inside than the outside, and the lower ones more on +the outside than the inside, or, in other words, the grinding surface of +the teeth, instead of being horizontal, is at an angle or slope. The horse +masticates his food with a sideways motion of the jaws, crushing the food +between the back teeth like mill-stones, so that if the grinding surfaces +of the teeth are not level, but sloped at an angle, they become locked, +and prevent sufficient sideways play of the jaws. If this is suspected, +the back teeth can be easily inspected by turning the horse with his tail +to the sun, grasping the tongue with the left hand and opening the mouth, +while the light is reflected into it by a small looking-glass held in the +right. They can also be felt by putting one's hand on the outside of the +cheek, where the outer edge of the upper teeth can be easily felt, and +pushing the finger inwards and upwards, so as to get on the grinding +surface when the horse opens his mouth, and the angle they are at can be +at once detected through the cheek. This is, of course, only a rough +method of examination, but it gives one a fair idea of the state the +molars are in. If a tooth is broken or deficient, the corresponding one +in the other jaw from not being worn down will become over-grown and fill +up the vacant space, even growing so long as to damage the gum or bone in +the jaw above or below it, as the case may be, and preventing the horse +feeding. If it is one of the front molars, it is possible that the growth +may be detected from outside, but the probabilities are that a more +careful examination will be necessary, and, at all events, professional +skill required to set matters right. Horses also suffer from decayed +teeth; and, in fact, the whole matter of equine dentistry is much more +important than is usually supposed, many animals remaining poor and thin +simply because their teeth are not properly attended to. + + +Young Horses Cutting Teeth. + +Young horses sometimes have great trouble when cutting their teeth, and if +they go off their feed they should be attended to; but this requires +professional skill. + + +Quidding. + +When young horses begin to what is called "quid" their food, it is almost +a certain indication that there is something wrong with the mouth. +"Quidding" is gathering up a mouthful of hay or grass, rolling it about +in the mouth, and half masticating it till it gets into a lump or ball, +and then spitting it out without swallowing it. Sometimes a dozen or more +of these "quids" will be found in the manger or on the stable floor. + + +Indigestion (_bud hazmie_). + +Indigestion, or dyspepsia, which horses suffer from more commonly than the +public imagine, will put them off their feed; but this is a matter for +professional advice and treatment, and it is exceedingly dangerous for the +owner to go trying domestic remedies. I have had many fatal cases of bowel +diseases brought to me that have arisen solely from this cause. + + +Lampas. + +This is a disorder that is firmly fixed in every groom's mind, both +European and native, and is supposed to consist of a swelling or +inflammation of the palate, or "barbs," just behind the upper incisor +teeth. I do not deny for a moment the existence of such a thing, but what +I do maintain is that in 75 per cent. of the cases brought to one, it +exists only in the imagination of the attendant. The popular remedy some +years ago was to cauterize the part with a hot iron, and I have no +hesitation in saying that any one doing this should be indicted for +cruelty to animals. Lately, the popular treatment has been more merciful +in having the part scarified with a lancet, but even this is useless. +Where lampas does exist, there is more or less enlargement and swelling of +the membrane of the entire alimentary canal, but the "barbs" of the mouth +being the only part visible, it is popularly supposed to be a local +affection. Under these conditions, it will be readily understood how +utterly useless lancing or scarifying one small part of the affected canal +will be. A small dose of aperient medicine, or even putting the horse on a +laxative diet of bran mash for a few days, will do all that is required, +without having recourse to heroic measures. + + +Nose-bags (_tobra_). + +Nose-bags are sadly neglected by "syces," and unless looked after by the +owner, they never dream of cleaning them, so that, particularly with +leather ones, they get into a very filthy condition, and frequently horses +refuse to eat out of such dirty things. Both mangers and nose-bags should +frequently be washed and scrubbed out with soap, or sand and water. +Nose-bags are, at the best, a necessary evil, and if they have to be used +at all, canvas ones are better than leather, being more easily cleaned. I +only allowed nose-bags to be used when on the march, or out in camp; when +in the stable the horses were fed out of an ordinary bucket, or else a +manger, and even then they were not fastened on the head, but held on the +ground. + + +Mangers (_kurlie_). + +In the stable a manger should be used. In an Indian stable one is easily +made out of a shallow, wide-mouthed earthen vessel ("gumalo"), built up +with mud, about three feet high, in the corner. The "syces" can do this +themselves, and the gumalo only costs a few pence in the bazaar. I always +had two built in opposite corners, one for food and the other for water. +If for any reason the manger cannot be built, or there is not one in the +stable, then the horse should be fed out of a tin or zinc bucket, or else +off a feeding-sheet. An old gunney-bag, spread out opened at the seams, +answers admirably. The "syce" should hold the bucket or sheet while he is +feeding, or the horse is very likely to knock the first over, or tear the +sheet, by pawing at it with his fore feet. + + +Worms (_kirim_). + +Parasites, or worms, in the intestines cause horses to lose condition very +quickly. The most common are long white ones, like ordinary earthworms, +about five to eight inches long; and small, very thin thread-like ones, +about three inches long. They cause the horse to become very unthrifty and +thin, the coat being dull, without the natural gloss that is seen in +health, or as it is termed, "hide-bound." The horse is also apt to back up +against any projection, or into a corner, and rub his tail against the +wall, breaking off the hair, and giving it an unsightly appearance. If +worms are suspected, the "syce" should be instructed to look for them in +the horse's droppings in the morning, where the long ones are most likely +to be found; also to examine under his dock, where the small ones will +leave a yellowish incrustation under the root of the tail. An enema of +common salt and water, made by dissolving about a table-spoonful of salt +in a quart of luke-warm water, generally suffices to get rid of the small +ones. The large ones, however, require medical treatment, which should be +left in professional hands. If there are any worms passed, the litter, +droppings, etc., should be carefully burned, and the floor of the stable +scraped and the _débris_ burned, and a new floor laid down. + + +Rubbing the Tail. + +Although commonly due to parasites in the intestines, "particularly the +small thread-worms," with some horses it is a trick; neglect also, and the +irritation caused by dirt, will often cause it. In India it is more often +seen in coarse-bred horses, such as many Australians are, than in +country-breds and Arabs. If it is from dirt, washing the tail well with +soap and water will stop it; if it is a trick, keeping the tail in a +tail-case, which is merely a piece of leather, with buckles and straps to +fasten it on with; or an ordinary roller bandage put round from the tip to +the root will generally stop it. + + +Scouring (_dāst_). + +Scouring, or diarrhœa, is usually seen in nervous horses when they get +excited, and, as a rule, disappears when they get quiet again. It is more +commonly seen in light-coloured, or what the horseman calls "washey," +chestnuts and blacks, than any other colour. Some horses will always scour +after a draught of cold water, and with such the chill should be taken off +either by adding a little warm water, or standing the bucket out in the +sun for a couple of hours before it is used. If the scouring persists, +after returning to the stable, let the next feed consist of dry bran, not +"bran mash," and this generally stops it. If a horse that is not in the +habit of doing so suddenly begins scouring, it is a mistake to try and +stop it too suddenly, as frequently it is an effort of nature to throw off +something deleterious to the system. If, however, the diarrhœa should +continue persistent, then professional advice should be obtained. + + + + +WATER. + + +Water (_pani_). + +Horses prefer soft to hard water, and are particularly partial to +rain-water. Many horses refuse to drink at all from a running stream, +unless very thirsty, and even then will not take as much as is necessary. +Mules, which in other respects are hardy animals, are very dainty and +particular about their water. Such horses should be watered either out of +a bucket or a still pool. In mountain and quick running streams there is +often a large quantity of sand and small gravel held in suspension, that +sinks to the bottom in places where the current runs slow. I have seen +more than one death caused by constantly watering horses in such streams, +by the animal swallowing a quantity of such sand; it accumulates in large +masses in the intestines, and causes "sand colic." If it is necessary to +water horses from such places for any length of time, if a suitable pool +cannot be found where the water is still and the sand and gravel can +settle, one should be made by building a dam. + + +Times of Watering. + +Horses should be watered half an hour before feeding, or, if this cannot +be managed, at least two hours should elapse after the feed before he is +allowed to drink his fill. The reason of this is that the hard grain the +horse eats is only partly crushed and broken by the teeth, and it is in +the stomach where it is principally softened before passing on into the +intestines. If, when the stomach is full of partly digested food, a large +quantity of water is given, some of it will be washed into the intestine, +and, being hard, and not properly softened, irritate it and set up colic. +The best plan is to always have water in front of the horse, so that he +can drink when he likes, and I have found that they take much less this +way than when watered at regular times. In India this can be easily done +by building up in mud a wide-mouthed, shallow, earthen vessel, called a +"gumalo," in one corner of the stable, in the same way that a manger is +made. It should be high enough for the horse to conveniently reach it, and +be kept constantly full. + + +Watering Troughs. + +When horses are watered at a trough or stream, as is necessarily the case +with military animals, if they are thirsty they push their noses deep into +it and drink greedily. They then lift their heads and look round them, and +many persons think they have finished. This is not the case, as the horse +is merely recovering his breath after his draught, and he should not be +taken away until he either turns round and will drink no more, or until he +begins to splash the water about with his nose and play with it, which +shows he does not want any more. + + +Watering on a Journey. + +It is commonly supposed that when on a journey horses should not be +watered, but, in a warm climate, as long as only a steady pace is +maintained and only a moderate quantity given, it does not do any harm, +and, to judge from one's own experiences, certainly is refreshing. Of +course, this must be done in moderation, like everything; and it +undoubtedly would be dangerous to allow a horse to drink his fill and then +give him a hard gallop directly afterwards; but, in both the South African +and Australian colonies, I have travelled some hundreds of miles in +post-carts and coaches, and the drivers at pretty nearly every stream they +cross pull up and allow the horses to drink a few mouthfuls. I have never +heard of any harm coming from this practice, and at the end of the journey +they drink far less water than if they had been deprived of it while at +work. In Norway, the carriole drivers water their ponies in the same way, +and it is icy-cold coming from the glaciers. + + +Watering after a Journey. + +When the journey is completed, it is advisable to walk the horse about for +a short time, to allow him to get cool before watering; or, better still, +and what every practical horseman will do, is to pull up and allow him to +walk the last mile, so that he arrives at his stable fairly cool, and not +reeking with perspiration. Grooming also will be greatly facilitated by +this. + + +Watering Bridles (_kazai_). + +Watering bridles are generally very much neglected, "syces" (grooms) never +seeming to think that they require any care or attention. They are +generally a mass of rust and dirt, and having one of these filthy things +put into the mouth, is a much more common cause of horses going off their +feed than is generally supposed. They are frequently thrown out on the +heap of bedding, and left in the sun all day, and when put into the +horse's mouth the iron of the bit is burning hot. I consider that this is +one of the chief reasons of the sores that so frequently form at the +angles of the mouth in the summer months, and which are most troublesome +to cure. The bit of the watering bridle should be scrubbed daily with sand +until it is polished, and the leather-work cleaned with soap (sabon) or +dubbing (momrogan); if this is not done, it very soon perishes with the +heat and becomes rotten, and if a horse is at all fresh and plays about, +it breaks, the animal gets loose, and a serious accident is the result of +the want of a little forethought. + + +Leeches (_jonk_). + +In India leeches frequently get into the nose while the horse is drinking, +especially out of ponds and streams, and although they are not absolutely +dangerous, they cause troublesome bleeding, and make the animal cough and +sneeze. They are sometimes very difficult to get rid off, and the best +plan is to place some water in a bucket before the horse and splash it +about. The leech is attracted by this, and comes down the nostril, when +it can be caught if the operator is quick enough. A handkerchief is +necessary, as the leech is too slippery to hold in the fingers. It is +generally best to let one of the "syces" do this, promising him a small +reward when the nuisance is got rid of, as some of them are wonderfully +expert at it, and have untiring patience. + + +Wells. + +In some Indian towns there is a water supply laid on to the houses by +pipes, but in the majority it is obtained from a well (khua) in the +compound. In these cases a water-carrier ("bheestie") has to be kept to +draw and carry water for the household and stables, which he brings in a +leather bag; "mussuk," the small leather bucket that he uses to fill the +bag with, being called a "dholl." These water-bags should be renewed twice +a year, as they get very foul inside if kept much longer, and they are +only worth about Rs. 2 each. Very few people ever think of cleaning out +the well, but it should be done at least once a year, as it is surprising +the amount of rubbish, such as dead leaves and vegetation, gets into it. +The landlord of the house should undertake this, but it is generally +difficult to get him to do it without the tenant threatening to do it +himself and deduct the cost out of the rent. There are professional +well-cleaners in Northern India, who will do the work by contract. As a +rule, it takes about three days, as the well has to be pumped dry by +working the lifting wheel with relays of bullocks day and night, when a +man goes down and removes the accumulation of rubbish from the bottom. +Care should be taken to first lower down a lighted candle, or throw a +bundle of lighted straw down before any one is allowed to descend, as +there is frequently an accumulation of foul gas at the bottom, and I have +known more than one accident from neglect of this precaution. Unless I had +very good reason for knowing that the well had been lately cleaned, I +always had this done on going into a new house. If this is neglected, the +water during the rainy season is apt to get very foul, and I have known +severe outbreaks of illness from this cause both in men and animals. + + + + +AIR AND VENTILATION. + + +Stables. + +Nothing is worse for horses than close, ill-ventilated stables, and in +India, where they are made out of such cheap material as mud and sun-dried +brick, there is no excuse for their being too small. In some of the newer +houses, stables are made out of burned brick; but I prefer the older ones +of mud or sun-dried brick, as the walls are generally thicker, and this +makes them cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It is also of +importance that they should not be too low, but of the two evils I should +prefer a small stable with a lofty roof to a larger one with a low one, +provided there was ventilation in the top. Every stable should have a good +deep verandah round it; it not only keeps off the sun in the summer, but +is useful to put bedding, etc., in during the rain. If there is no +verandah, one can be easily made with the flat straw screens used by +natives, called "jamps," and bamboo supports. The doorways should be high +and wide, so that there is no danger of the horse hitting his hips or head +against it in going in and out. A fractured hip-bone is frequently caused +by horses rushing through narrow doorways, and a troublesome disease known +as "poll evil" is generally caused by striking the head against too low a +one. It is also well to have the sides of the door-posts rounded off, not +left at an angle. If there is no window at the back of the stable, +opposite the door, one should be made above the horse's head, and another +smaller one on a level with the floor, so as to allow the air to circulate +freely. If possible, avoid a draught, but always remember that it is +better to have plenty of fresh air and a draught than a stuffy stable +without one, as the horse can always be kept warm with extra clothing, +bandages, and bedding. Thatched roofs are much cooler in summer and warmer +in winter than the flat earthen ones that are generally used in Northern +India. Indian stables are almost always divided off into loose boxes, the +partition walls being continued up to the roof. I think they should be +only built high enough to prevent the horses teasing each other over them, +as if continued right up they interfere with the free circulation of the +air. If this cannot be done, on account of the partitions helping to +support the roof, a window should be knocked through in each. In South +Africa stables are usually simply a long shed with a manger running down +the back wall, without any partitions between the standings, and the +horses are simply tied up to a ring in the manger with the head rope. Cape +horses are, however, exceedingly quiet, and will stand still all day long. +They never seem to think of kicking or biting at each other like the +Indian country-bred does. + + +Chicks. + +The plague of flies in the East, particularly during the rains, cannot be +realized in England, and if not protected against them, they will almost +worry horses to death. For this reason the doors and windows of the stable +should be fitted with "chicks," or mats, made out of split bamboos or +reeds, with interspaces between them, which allow of light and air passing +through, but which will keep the flies out. They are not very costly +articles, and add most materially to the comfort of the horse. If +carefully looked after, and not let flap about in the wind, they will last +for years with a very small annual expenditure for repairs. + + +Stable Floors. + +The stable floor should be made of wet clay beaten down, and left to +thoroughly dry. This can be carried out by the "syces," and if thoroughly +done, they will last a good many months. I always make it a practice to +dig up the floors of stables in a new house, before they are occupied, a +foot and a half deep, and thoroughly renew it, and usually it is +astounding the amount of foul earth that has to be removed. I also have +the whole of the floor picked up and renewed once a year--for choice, at +the end of September or beginning of October, after the rains have +stopped. Any moisture should be at once removed, before it has time to +soak into the floor; or, if it has, the moist earth should be swept away +with a broom (jaru), made out of a number of pliable twigs tied together, +and fresh dry earth sprinkled over the top of it. A supply of dry powdered +earth should be kept outside each stable door in a box ready for use when +required. The ordinary earth that is in the compound will not do to make +floors out of, although "syces" will use it if allowed, as it is less +trouble to get than clay (kicher ke muttee), but it will not bind, and +when trodden on breaks up and wears into dust. + + +Charcoal (_khoalie_). + +Although it looks dirty, powdered charcoal sprinkled over the floor has a +powerful effect as a deodorizer. The ashes of a wood fire do nearly as +well as charcoal for this purpose, and can be obtained anywhere, as wood +is universally used for fuel all over India. In some stables earthenware +vessels (chatties) are buried under the floor to catch the urine. This is +an abominable, filthy custom, and should never be permitted, as there is +no more certain cause of disease. Diseases of the feet, such as foul +smelling, suppurating frogs, thrush, and canker, are in the majority of +cases caused by horses standing on wet, filthy floors. + + +Picketing. + +In the hot season horses should, if possible, be picketed out at night as +soon as it gets cool in the evening. It is the greatest relief to an +animal to be brought out of a hot stable into the open air, even if the +actual temperature is no less than indoors. If the flies or mosquitos are +troublesome, the nets sold for the purpose will keep them off. If the net +is not sufficient, a fire made out of the stable litter on the windward +side will drive them away, and horses do not mind smoke. It is as well to +have a regular standing made with mud, in the same way as the stable +flooring, as otherwise the ground soon gets broken up and foul. The +standing should be swept clean every morning, and mended in the same way +as the stable floors are. + + +Bedding (_bechalie_). + +There is nothing better than clean straw for bedding, and it is a great +mistake to stint horses in it. If a good deep bed is given, they will lie +down and rest themselves, whereas, if there is not enough, and the floor +feels hard through it, they will walk about over it, and far more will be +wasted than if the horse was lying down on it. The bedding should be taken +up every morning, and any soiled straw removed. It should be well shaken +up and spread out in the sun to dry and air, and at night, when again put +down for use, a small quantity of fresh straw added to it. In wet weather +the bedding can be aired and dried in the verandah. All soiled straw and +droppings should be at once removed in a basket (tokrie), which should be +provided for the purpose; and it is wonderful, if this plan is adopted, +how little fresh straw is required to keep the horse constantly supplied +with a good bed; and nothing is more saving to the wear and tear of the +legs and feet than to get the animal to lie down at night. In Australia +and South Africa wheat or oat straw can be obtained, but in India rice +straw is generally used, or else the long elephant grass that grows on the +banks of rivers and swampy places. Both are good enough for the purpose, +only they are brittle, and more is required than when wheat straw is used, +as they quickly break up. + + +Sawdust (_burradah_). + +In the north of India the deodar, or Himalayan cedar sawdust, can always +be obtained from any of the timber depôts on the banks of the large +rivers, almost for the expense of carting it away. It makes a good bed if +straw cannot be obtained, but is liable to stick to the horse and get in +under his coat if at all long, and gives much more work grooming. It is +also more troublesome to remove in the morning to air, and if any wind is +blowing a good deal gets wasted. If used, it is best to have it spread out +in one stall and leave it there, only using it at night, putting the horse +into another during the daytime. Any sawdust that gets damp or soiled +should be at once removed, as it very soon begins to smell badly. + + +Shavings. + +Shavings of deodar or pine can also be obtained, but they require to be +carefully sorted out, as there are likely to be splinters in them, and in +lying down the horse may give himself a bad wound. + + +Sand (_ret_). + +Sand can be obtained anywhere along the banks of the rivers; but it is +hard, and does not form a very yielding bed, and I should not use it if +anything else could be got. It requires to be sifted, to get rid of the +pebbles and stones it contains. If straw is scarce and sand has to be +used, the best plan is to put a layer of about a foot of sand over the +floor, and a thin layer of straw over it; this will make a much softer bed +than the sand alone. + + +Horses eating Bedding. + +This is a trick some horses have, and from which they seldom can be cured. +It is generally the custom to put a muzzle (chik-na) on them at night; but +this, of course, stops their feeding at all. I prefer to bed them down +with sand, sawdust, or shavings, and leave them free to feed at night. If +a muzzle is used, it should be a wire one, not leather, as these get very +foul and dirty, and interfere with the horse's breathing, which the wire +one does not. + + +Exercise. + +In India it is usual to exercise ordinary hacks, polo ponies, and harness +horses, not doing any special work, twice a day--morning and evening. The +length of time they are out, and the amount of ground they cover, is very +variable--in most cases depending on whether the "syce" is in a mood to +take exercise or not himself. They usually take horses out on the road to +the bazaar, or some favourite meeting-place; and it is not an uncommon +thing to see a couple of dozen horses, belonging to various people, +standing about, while their respective "syces" are sitting about, smoking +and discussing their masters and various bazaar topics of interest. Under +these circumstances the horses do not get much exercise; and many a +mysterious injury, that cannot be accounted for, is inflicted by their +kicking at each other while standing about in this manner. If the compound +is large enough, it is a good plan to make a ring with the stable litter +and have the horses exercised round it. You can then be certain they are +getting a fair amount of work; but a large ring is necessary, and if there +is a garden it spoils the compound. Furthermore, horses get into a very +careless, slovenly way of walking when led round and round in this +monotonous fashion daily. "Syces" generally lead horses at exercise, and +most horse-owners will not allow them to ride; but I think this is a +mistake, and if they can ride, I always allow them to do so. If they lead +the horse, he will go along in a listless fashion, and walk with his head +down, stumbling at every step; whereas, if he is ridden, he will carry his +head up and go in a much more lively and collected fashion, and it being +much pleasanter for the "syce" to ride than walk, the full amount of +exercise is more likely to be taken. "Syces" nearly always ride at +exercise bare-backed; but they should be made use a folded blanket as a +pad, kept in its place by a body-roller, as the anatomy of the native of +India is such that, without any protection, he is likely to give the horse +a sore back. They should also only be let use a snaffle bridle, as few +know how to handle a double one. When at exercise knee-caps should be +worn. These should be bought from a European saddler, and care be taken +that the top strap is fitted with a piece of indiarubber in the middle, +to allow of its giving with the motion of the limb. If there is not this +indiarubber spring, when the top strap is buckled tight enough to prevent +the cap slipping down, the motion will cause it to rub the skin at the +back of the knee; and I have seen some bad abrasions, that caused +temporary lameness, from this cause. If the top strap is buckled loose +enough to avoid this chafing, then the knee-cap won't stay up in its +proper place, if it has no spring. The country-made knee-caps sold by the +native saddlers seldom are fitted with it; and if they are they cannot be +relied on, as generally the indiarubber is bad and perished. The lower +strap of the knee-cap should be buckled quite loose, it being only +required to keep it down and prevent it flapping about; but "syces" are +very apt to draw it tight also, and if they do, it is pretty certain to +cut the skin. + + + + +GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, Etc. + + +Heel Ropes (_pecharie_). + +If possible, horses should be left loose, which generally can be done in +India, as most of the stables are loose boxes. Sometimes it is necessary +to fasten them up, such as when picketed out at night in the hot weather +or on the march. There are several plans of picketing, each having its +advantages and disadvantages; but as these generally apply to military +animals, I will merely mention those commonly used in private stables. The +most common plan is to fasten the horse up with head and heel ropes, to +wooden pegs driven into the ground. Heel ropes (pecharie) consist of +either two ropes about twelve feet long, ending in a single one, so as to +be Y-shaped, the single one being fastened to a wooden peg (make) driven +into the ground, and the two arms to the horse's hind fetlocks by means of +leather straps, called "muzzumas." These straps are loops of rope covered +with leather, to one end of which the heel rope is tied, and into which +the hind foot is slipped, being secured by a flat leather thong wound +round the middle of it behind the fetlock joint to prevent its slipping +off. The strap is then of a fig. 8, or hour-glass shape, the heel rope +being tied in one loop, the foot placed in the other, the thong forming +the neck or constriction. These, I think, are the best form of leather +foot strap; but in buying them care should be taken that the stitching of +the leather is on the outside, as if it is on the inside, where natives +often put it, it is very likely to rub the skin and cause a bad cracked +heel. Another form of "muzzuma" is made out of stiff flat leather lined +with felt. This has a slip loop going round it, with a buckle on one side +and a strap on the other, that runs along the centre. The heel rope is +tied to one end, the foot put into the other, and when the strap is +buckled tightly, the running loop is drawn close up to the heel, so as to +keep the whole arrangement in its place. This form of "muzzuma" is the +usual kind sold; but it is objectionable, as the edges get stiff and hard, +and are likely to cut the heel, which the round ones do not. Both sorts of +leather "muzzumas" require to be kept soft and pliable with dubbing +(momrogan), which "syces" never think necessary. I, however, prefer those +made out of plaited hemp or tow. They are merely a band of loosely plaited +tow, about eighteen inches long, the heel rope being fastened to one end, +and secured by a string or tape just behind the fetlock; they are much +softer than the leather ones, and quite as strong. The disadvantage, +however, is that they soon wear out, but they are very cheap; in fact, the +"syces" can make them themselves out of the raw hemp or tow (sun). They +are used by many of the native cavalry regiments in India in preference to +the leather ones. The heel ropes can be made out of one long rope doubled, +a "muzzuma" fastened to each free end, and the doubled portion to a +tent-peg. When heel ropes are used, one should be put on each hind leg; it +is dangerous to only put on one, and I have seen more than one fractured +thigh caused by this. If the heel ropes are on both hind legs, and the +horse kicks, he has to do so straight into the air, as there is equal +restraint on both; but if there is only one, the unequal check of the +single rope is likely to cause a fracture. If allowed, "syces" will always +pull the heel ropes so tight as to stretch the horse out; they should be +loose enough to allow him to stand in a natural position. + + +Head Ropes (_aghari_). + +Head ropes should be fastened to the ring on the head collar (nukta) under +the chin. There should either be two separate ropes, one end of each +fastened to the ring, or one long one doubled in the middle, the central +portion fastened to the ring, and the two ends to two wooden pegs driven +into the ground about three or four feet on each side of the horse's head. +If only a single rope is used, it must, naturally, be fastened to a peg +straight in front, and, to allow the horse to move his head up and down, +must be loose. When fastened in this way he is exceedingly likely to get +his fore leg over the rope and get hung up in it, a nasty wound in the +heel or at the back of the knee being the result, if nothing worse; +whereas, if the ropes are pegged out on each side, he can move about +freely, and it would be difficult for him to get his leg over them. Both +head and heel ropes should be made of hemp; the cotton rope used in India +for most purposes is not strong enough, and soon breaks and wears out. In +Peshawur and along the north-west frontier, a rope is made of goat hair +that is very strong, and is excellent for this purpose. It is somewhat +more expensive than ordinary rope, but with care will last a long time, +and will amply repay itself. Both head and heel ropes should be tied to +the pegs in a slipknot, so that with a single pull horses can be set free +when necessary. "Syces" will usually tie them in a jam-knot, and horses +struggling to get loose when frightened very often badly injure themselves +before they can be set free. + + +Fetlock Picketing. + +A method of picketing horses was introduced into the Indian army some +years ago, by dispensing with head ropes and using a short chain shackle +about three feet long, buckled round one of the fore fetlocks, and +fastened to a peg driven into the ground. This was chiefly done with the +object of reducing the weight carried, and with animals used for military +purposes, doubtless fulfilled the purpose, but in a private stable I fail +to see its advantages over the other plan. + + +Picketing Posts. + +When horses are picketed outside the stable, and there is space enough, +picketing posts are the most preferable method, as they allow greater +freedom than any other. A stout smooth post, about five or six inches in +diameter, is driven several feet into the ground, so that it is five or +six feet above the surface, a strong iron ring is slipped over it, and to +this the head rope is made fast; no heel ropes are used, and the horse can +move round it as he pleases. The post must be smooth, so that there is +nothing for the ring to catch in, and when put into the ground the point +should be put into the fire and charred, or covered with kerosene oil, to +keep off the white ants. It will also have to be examined occasionally to +see that it is not damaged or rotten. The only drawback to this plan is +that, if there are several horses, a considerable space is necessary, as +they must be far enough apart to prevent their kicking at each other. + + +Ringing. + +In South Africa and the colonies horses are picketed by the method known +as "ringing," the head rope of one being fastened to the head collar of +the next, and so on, till the head rope of the last is in its turn +fastened to the head collar of the first, their heads forming a ring +looking inwards. Colonial horses will stand like this for hours together; +but they are very quiet, and behave in a different way to the Indian +country-bred. I have seen the same plan used in a cavalry regiment of the +Italian army on the march near Milan. + + +Rheims. + +In South Africa head ropes are made of prepared raw hide called "rheims." +They are prepared by the Kaffir women out of raw ox hide, and are very +strong and supple, and are excellent for the purpose. + + +Knee-haltering. + +Knee-haltering is also a South African plan of securing horses when turned +out to graze. The fore leg is lifted up, so that the forearm from the +elbow to the knee is parallel to the ground. The head rope, or "rheim," is +then fastened above the knee, the head being pulled a little downwards. +The horse is then turned out to graze on the veldt, and when his head is +down feeding he can use his limbs and walk about as he likes, but as soon +as he puts up his head to trot or gallop the fore leg is pulled up, and he +has only three to go on, and can easily be caught. + + +Shackles (_bheri_). + +The natives of India use iron shackles, much like handcuffs, to fasten +with a key round both fore fetlocks of horses when turned out loose; but +they are not a desirable invention, and in young animals are very likely +to cause ringbones. But this, I think, is on account of their clumsy shape +and being constantly worn, as I believe shackles made out of round iron +that shut with a spring were used by the Canadian mounted police at one +time when turning their horses out, and they found they did not chafe and +rub so much as leather ones did. It was found that even moving through the +wet grass the steel hobbles were polished, kept bright, and required no +attention, whereas the leather ones perished and became hard, and gave +constant trouble unless carefully looked after. I have never tried this +plan myself, for I have found the Cape system of knee-haltering when +turning animals out to graze the best I have yet come across. + + +Picketing-pegs (_make_). + +Picketing-pegs should be made out of hard wood about eighteen inches to +two feet long; iron ones are dangerous. They should be driven into the +ground in a slanting direction, the point towards and the head away from +the animal, to resist the strain on it. If there are no tent-pegs, or the +ground is so soft that there is no holding for them, a hole a couple of +feet deep can be dug, and a bundle of straw or a couple of tent-pegs tied +crossways buried in it, the earth trodden down, and the rope brought out +at the surface. This will give ample holding, and may be practically +tested, for although a vertical pull will easily bring it up, the +strongest man will fail to move it if the strain is horizontal. + + +Leading-ropes (_bagh durie_). + +Leading-ropes are things that ruin half the horses' mouths in India, and I +never let such a thing into the stable. If they are used as they were +originally intended to be, that is, buckled into the ring of the snaffle +or watering bridle to lead the horse with, they do no harm; but it is +impossible to prevent "syces" from passing them over the head and then +back through both rings, so as to form a gag, and this they hang on to. I +always make them use a leading-chain, which is a leather strap with about +a foot of chain and a snap-hook at the end of it. The hook fastens into +the ring of the snaffle, and they cannot well pass the strap over the head +to turn it into a gag. It seems impossible to teach a "syce" how to lead a +horse in a watering bridle, and I find these chains the best compromise. + + +Brushes and Gear. + +The grooming utensils required in an Indian stable are very simple: a +horse-brush, curry-comb, bucket, some dusters, and a hoof-picker, being +the sum total; but only one of these last is required among five or six +horses. It is best to get English bristle brushes, they last out two of +the native fibre ones, and are very little more expensive. Good +horse-brushes are made by several firms in Cawnpore, and, of course, when +a large number are used, the saving is considerable if the country-made +article is bought, but where only a small number are required, this is a +false economy. + + +Curry-combs. + +These an Indian "syce" cannot get on without, and although he only uses it +to wear out the brush, still, after all, it does not do so very much harm; +but a bad, lazy man, if he is not prevented, will use it to scrape the +dirt off the horse with. Country-breds are generally very thin-skinned, +and feel the comb very much if scarified with it, as the "syce" is very +fond of doing; and I am positive that this practice in many cases has to +account for much of the proverbial bad temper of these animals. The +curry-comb should never be put on the horse's body at all, and in reality +it is useless. If it can be managed, it is best not to give the "syces" +such things, the only use of them being to clean the brush with, and this +can be done just as well with the palm of the left hand, and the brush +does not wear out so quickly; but it is the custom to use the comb, and it +is hard to prevent it. + + +Buckets (_balti_). + +Buckets can be bought anywhere. Zinc ones are better than tin, although +perhaps a little more expensive; one should be provided for each horse. + + +Dusters (_jharans_). + +Dusters are things that native servants of every sort seem to consume in +enormous quantities, and unless some check is put on it, the number used +at the end of the month will be astonishing. Either the old one should be +produced before another is given, or else some contract be given to them +to provide them for themselves; but the former plan is the best; if the +contract system is adopted, filthy rags will be used. They are luckily +exceedingly cheap, and are made nearly everywhere. + + +Hoof-picker (_sum khodna_). + +A hoof-picker can be made out of almost any piece of rod-iron, and one +should be hung up in every stable. One for every four or five horses is +enough. + + +Clothing (_gurdaine_). + +In Northern India, if horses are not clipped they require in the winter at +least two thick rugs, and if they are clipped an extra one, as the climate +from November to the end of February is bitterly cold. The ordinary +country clothing, made out of "mundah," and sold in the bazaars, called +"jhools," keeps horses warm and answers its purpose, and is cheap--a rug +of this material costing about Rs. 3; but I think myself that it is false +economy to get it, and that the horse-clothing made at the Muir or Elgin +mills at Cawnpore, or the Egerton mills at Dhariwal, in the Punjab, +although perhaps at first somewhat more expensive, will in the end be +found the cheapest, as with care one suit of this will last many years, +whereas the country clothing is seldom much good after a second winter's +wear. This clothing is made in all sorts of colours, and turned out in +suits, and is every bit as good as English manufactured. Country blankets +(kumbal) can also be got; and the condemned soldiers' blankets, that are +periodically sold by the military authorities, make excellent horse-rugs. +I always think it best to get regular horse-clothing shaped and pieced out +at the neck to buckle across the chest, or, at all events, to have one rug +like this, even if the rest are ordinary square blankets, as the shaped +clothing protects the front of the chest, which the square blanket will +not do. The blanket can be used in the daytime, and the rug on the top at +night, buckling across the chest, as leaving this part of the body exposed +is a fruitful source of coughs and colds. Aprons, breast-pieces, and +quarter-cords are seldom seen in India, except on race horses, and then +only as a fancy matter. + + +Hoods (_khansilla_). + +Hoods with hacks, harness horses, and polo ponies are not often required; +but if horses are sensitive to cold, particularly if they are standing out +at night, they are no doubt a great protection. They are made up of the +same material as the country "jhool," and they also can be got to match +the clothing made at any of the woollen mills. In any case it is a good +thing to have a spare hood in the stable, even if it is not habitually +used, as when a horse begins to cough if at once put on a severe cold is +often averted. + + +Body-rollers (_paities_, or _farakis_). + +Body-rollers are sold in the bazaar shops of native manufacture, but are +most flimsy, and I strongly advise that either English ones, or else those +made by any of the manufacturers of leather goods at Cawnpore, which are +nearly as good as English ones, be used, although they may at first be a +little more expensive. The common country rollers are always breaking, and +never being properly stuffed, the webbing in the centre of the two pads +presses on the ridge of the spine when the roller is buckled up. There is +no more fruitful cause of sore backs than this, especially if horses are +at all thin and standing out in the open. "Syces" have a trick of pulling +up the straps of the roller as tight as possible, and if it gets wet with +the dew or rain it shrinks up, and the tight webbing cuts and pinches the +skin over the backbone, causing a sore back. With a properly made roller +the pressure is taken on the sides of the back by the two pads, and the +webbing does not come in contact with the skin at all. In any case, if the +horses are standing out in the open at night, it is always advisable to go +round the last thing and let the roller out a hole or two. If country +rollers are used, direct pressure of the webbing on the spine can be taken +off by putting a folded up duster or a handful of straw under it. If the +back has been pinched or rubbed the roller should be left off, and the +blankets or clothing kept in their place by a couple of tapes or pieces of +string stitched to the edge of each and tied under the body. + + +Bandages (_puttie_). + +Woollen bandages on the legs greatly add to the horse's comfort when +standing out on a cold night. The ordinary ones sold in the bazaar answer +well enough, only they are generally a little too wide and not long +enough. The bandage should be put on commencing from below and finishing +under the knee or hock, and not in the reverse direction, commencing +above, as is often done. The tapes should be tied in a bow outside. What +is known as the Newmarket bandage, made out of a semi-elastic woollen +material, is an excellent one. It stretches somewhat when put on the leg, +and gives it support. They, however, are somewhat expensive--about Rs. 4 +a set--but with ordinary care will outlast several pairs of country ones. +A good bandage is made by the Muir Mills Company at Cawnpore out of the +cotton webbing called "newar"; they are very cheap and good, but are not +so warm as the cotton ones. + + +Summer Clothing. + +This is rather a superfluity, and, unless with race horses, is not usually +indulged in, for at the time it could be worn it generally is so hot that +the less the horse has on him the better. Usually one of the blankets used +in the winter is kept to throw over him when standing about, or when +walking back from work. Drill summer clothing can be obtained at any of +the woollen mills in India in a variety of patterns, or a native tailor +(durzie) will make it up in your own verandah if you give him a pattern. +At least two suits per horse are required, as it very soon gets dirty in +the warm season and requires washing. + + +Eye Fringes (_makieara_). + +Eye fringes are absolutely necessary in India, and are used in parts of +Australia to protect the eyes from the flies. They are fastened on to the +cheek strap of the head collar with a small tab and button-hole in place +of a brow band, and have a fringe of either leather or cotton cords that +hang down over the eyes halfway to the nose. I prefer the cord ones; the +fringes are always flat and in contact with the face, whereas the leather +ones are liable to curl up at the ends and allow the flies to get +underneath. The cotton ones are easier mended than the leather. + + +Fly Whisks (_chaurie_). + +I always give each "syce" a fly whisk to keep flies off the horse while at +exercise, or when he is holding him anywhere. They are very cheap, last a +long time, and if not provided, the "syce" will arm himself with a dirty +duster or rag of some sort for the purpose. I may, perhaps, be too +sensitive on this point, but to see a dirty rag flourished about an +otherwise well-turned-out animal is to me a great eyesore. + + +Cleaning Horse Clothing, and Storing it in the Summer. + +It never enters the head of a "syce" that clothing requires to be cleaned. +It should be frequently hung out in the sun and well beaten with a stick, +like a carpet is, and then well brushed on both sides with a stiff +clothes-brush. If necessary, it should be laid out flat and scrubbed with +a brush and soap and water, rinsed out with cold water, as hot will make +it shrink, and then, when dry again, beaten and brushed. The straps on +pieced rugs should have some dubbing (momrogan) now and again rubbed into +them, to prevent their getting hard and the leather perishing. Summer +clothing should be sent to the washerman (dhobie) to be washed. During the +summer months woollen clothing should be first cleaned, and then folded up +and put away, some camphor, pepper, and leaves of the "neem" tree, that +grows in every garden in Northern India, being placed between the folds to +keep off the moths. They should be folded away on the top of a box, board, +or table, or somewhere raised off the ground, to be out of the way of the +white ants, and once a week be unfolded and hung out in the sun to air for +a few hours, folded up, and stored away again. There is no occasion to +waste the spices that are with them; if they are carefully unfolded over +some newspapers, the whole can be collected and used again. + + +Numdahs. + +If used at all, felt numdahs should have a plain edge, and not be bound +with coloured tape, as they so often are; particularly the cheaper ones, +that are sold by native saddlers. I have frequently seen sore backs +caused by this tape binding, as well as the hair in white horses +discoloured by the edge. When put on, the numdah should be well pulled up +into the arch of the saddle, particularly in front. The common practice is +to put the numdah flat on the back, and then the saddle on the top of it, +so that when the weight comes on it, the numdah gets tight and is +stretched, and is a common cause of sore backs and galled withers. When +taken off the horse's back, the numdah should be spread out in the sun to +dry; it should then be beaten with a stick and brushed with a hard brush +to get the dry caked perspiration out of it, and to bring the nap of the +felt up again. If this is not done it will get as hard as a board, and +neglected numdahs are certain to give sore backs. If the saddle is +properly stuffed and fitted to the horse's back, a numdah is not required, +the only use of it being to save the lining of the saddle, and for this +purpose I prefer a leather one. + + +Grooming (_malish_). + +Grooming is an art that native grooms excel in. They have infinite +patience, and their long supple fingers are peculiarly adapted for the +work. They, furthermore, are used to it, for every Oriental is an adept +at shampooing or massage, constantly doing it to their own limbs and those +of their friends. When the horse comes in from work the bridle should be +taken off him, hung up on a peg, and a watering bridle put into his mouth, +the stirrup irons run up to the top of the leathers, and the girths +slackened. If there is a breast-plate it can be taken off, but the saddle +should not be removed till the back gets cool. According to the season of +the year, a light or warm rug should be thrown over the quarters, and the +horse walked about till he gets cool. If there is much mud sticking on +him, it can be rubbed off with a wisp of straw before the brush is used. +Horses should not be washed, or, if they are, only under very exceptional +circumstances, when specially ordered. It is, however, a favourite +practice among "syces," as it saves a good deal of trouble; and it is much +easier to wash off mud and dirt than to remove it with the brush, as ought +to be done; they are also very apt to use the curry-comb for this purpose. +When the horse is cool he should be gone over with the brush, to remove +what dirt is remaining, and when this is finished the process should be +repeated with the hands, the palm and bend of the wrist being used for +this purpose. If it is the hot weather, the grooming had best be done +out-of-doors; but in winter it is best to do it in the stable, as in +Northern India there is a cold wind blowing even in the middle of the day, +and if exposed to it horses are liable to catch cold. As soon as the +grooming is finished, which with a clipped horse can be done in about half +an hour, the clothing and bandages should be put on, and, if it is +evening, the bed put down. Even if not worked, this process of grooming +should take place twice a day--before the morning and evening feed. + + +Wisps and Grooming Pads. + +Straw wisps or leather pads are particularly useful in developing the +muscle of a thin animal, or bringing the skin into order when it has been +neglected. The wisps are made by twisting some of the bedding straw +together into a rope about three feet long. This is then doubled in the +middle and again twisted, so as to form a flat pad. Two of these wisps are +used, one in each hand, and they are alternately brought down with a +slight slap and drawing motion in the direction of the hair, the whole +body being massaged with them. It is sometimes a good plan, if there is +much dirt in the coat, to cover the pad with a damp duster; the dirt +seems to stick to it. This is particularly useful when horses are changing +their coats; the hair sticks to the damp cloth, and the old coat is +brought out quicker than it otherwise would be. The grooming pads are used +in the same way. They are two circles of leather about four or five inches +in diameter, joined together with a strip of chamois leather about three +inches wide, so as to form a pad or cushion, that is stuffed with tow. On +one side a piece of leather or webbing is stitched at each end, +sufficiently loose to allow the hand to be slipped under it in the same +way as the horse brush. Two of these pads are used, and the skin beaten or +massaged by each hand alternately. Although, perhaps, at first horses are +fidgety, when they get used to it they appear to enjoy it; and it has the +advantage of letting the owner know, if he is not in sight, that the +"syce" is working by the noise he makes. + + +Hand-rubbing. + +If horses are inclined to get filled on swollen legs, the tendons should +be well hand-rubbed for five minutes at each grooming hour. This +hand-rubbing should commence from the lower portion of the limb and be +continued upwards, not in the reverse direction, which is the usual +practice. The limb should be lifted up, and the fingers worked with a +kneading motion behind the tendons. + + +Washing. + +The feet, mane and tail are the only parts that should ever be washed, +unless specially ordered, and then as seldom as possible. When the feet +are washed, great care should be taken that they are carefully dried +afterwards, and bandages put on, as leaving the legs wet is one of the +chief causes of cracked heels, more especially in the winter months, if +there is a dry cold wind blowing. If soap is used, it should be soft-soap; +or, better still, the soap nut, or "reita." This is a berry, the shell or +outer covering of which, when soaked in water, swells up into a sticky +mass, that lathers like soap, and by natives of India is used for washing +purposes. + + +Uneven Manes. + +When the mane gets ragged and uneven, it should be carefully brushed down +four or five times a day with a damp water brush, to make it lie flat. The +long hairs on the under side next the neck should be pulled out, so that +the mane is thinned, and the lower part lies in a perfect curve along the +neck. Some horses object, and are a little troublesome during this +process; but, if it is done gradually, it can be easily accomplished. The +long hairs in the mane should never be cut, unless it is intended to clip +it off altogether, and make it into a "hogged" mane. If the mane will not +lie down flat with an even sweep, it can be covered with a cake of mud for +four or five days, when it should be removed, and renewed if necessary. +Being dry, it will crack, and the pieces can be easily knocked off, and +the dust brushed out. The mud cake generally has the desired effect after +having been applied four or five times. + + +Hogged Manes. + +The manes of polo ponies and cobs it is the fashion to "hog," or cut off +close to the neck. It is best to leave the forelock, as it gives a certain +protection against the flies and glare of the sun; also, to leave a lock +of hair on the wither, to grasp with the hand when mounting. The best +implement to hog a mane with is a pair of ordinary horse-clippers, but +don't use a new pair, or they will get spoiled; old ones that are no use +for the rest of the body, do well enough. It is best to sit on the +animal's back when the mane is being hogged, and to cut forwards; the +hair will be cut much smoother, and a neater job made of it than when +standing on the ground at the side. + + +Ragged Legs. + +If the horse is not clipped, the long hairs at the back of the legs look +very unsightly. They should be pulled out, not cut off. If a little +powdered resin is rubbed on the finger and thumb, the hair will stick to +it, and come out much more easily, and the legs will have a smooth, even +appearance, which can never be attained if they are cut off with scissors, +no matter how carefully this is done; there will always be jagged ridges +left. The long hairs under the jowl can be singed off by passing a lighted +candle under the jaw once or twice. If the horse is at all frightened at +the candle, he can be blindfolded; but the operation is so quick, that +generally it is all over before he is aware of what is being done. The +long hairs on the muzzle and chin can be clipped off with a pair of +ordinary scissors. If the horse is not clipped all over, attention to +these one or two little details make all the difference in his appearance, +and in his being turned out smart, or the reverse. + + +Trimming Tails. + +The tail should be grasped close to the root with one hand, which is run +down so that the hairs are all gathered together, and a string or tape +tied round below the fleshy part at the tip. The tail should then be drawn +out straight, and the hair cut off with a single sweep of a sharp knife +just below where the string is tied. The blade of the knife must be long +enough to give a drawing sweep, which an ordinary pocket-knife will not +do. There is nothing better for this than a sharp native sword, or +"tulwar," as it is long enough to cut through all the hair at one stroke; +or, failing a sword, a sharp carving-knife will do, the longer in the +blade the better. Any uneven ends of hair that remain can afterwards be +trimmed off with a pair of scissors; or, better still, by a pair of sheep +shears. Tail-cutting machines are sold with an arrangement to fix the hair +of the tail with a clamp, on which there is a sliding cutting-blade. These +cut the hair off very smoothly and evenly; the only drawback is that they +are somewhat expensive, costing about Rs. 16 in Calcutta or Bombay. + + +Clipping. + +Arabs and many country-breds carry such fine coats that they do not +require clipping, but most Australians and colonials do; and if the coat +is at all inclined to get long and thick, it certainly should be taken +off, for horse-clothing is so cheap that an extra rug can always be got. +Horses should not be clipped till the coat has "set," _i.e._ till the long +winter coat has grown, and no more hairs will come off when the hand is +rubbed over the skin. This is generally about the beginning of October in +Northern India. They will generally require clipping twice or three times +during the winter, or up to the middle of March. There are generally some +professional clippers in every station, who bring their own +clipping-machines, and charge about two or three rupees for a pony, and an +extra rupee for a horse each time; or, if there is not such an individual +about, permission can generally be obtained to have it done by any of the +cavalry regiments in the station. It should be remembered that horses +having just lost their coats will require an extra rug that night. + + +Cleaning the Sheath. + +The owner must himself occasionally see that the horse's sheath is washed +out. "Syces" never think this necessary, and the part gets into a filthy, +dirty state, that in the summer months is likely to give rise to a +troublesome sore, called a "bursattee" ulcer. Some horses are very +troublesome to do this with, and it may be necessary to put on a twitch +("kinch mhal"); but this should always be done in the owner's presence. + + +Light in Stables. + +With a new-comer, "syces" usually ask for oil to burn in a native +earthenware lamp (charragh) at night, but it is a thing I never allow. In +the first place, even if the lamp was kept burning, it is not required; +horses rest better in the dark. In the second, it is dangerous with so +much inflammable material about. In the third, the lamp will not be used +in the stable, but the "syce's" own house. If a light is ever required, +which is only on rare occasions, it is better to bring a lantern out of +the house; and in India there is always a hurricane-lantern to be found in +every house. + + +Fires in Verandahs. + +"Syces" are very fond of lighting fires and making cooking places in the +verandah of the stable, but this I never allow, as it litters the place up +with cooking pots, and makes a great mess; also, it is dangerous. I always +make them carry on their cooking operations in the verandahs of their own +houses. + + + + +SADDLERY, HARNESS, CARRIAGES, AND SERVANTS. + + +Saddles (_zin_) and Harness (_saz_). + +Saddles, harness, and all leatherwork requires a good deal more care and +attention in India than in England, especially during the hot season, when +the fierce dry heat will dry up and perish all sorts of leather; and in +the rains, especially in Southern India, where the atmosphere is so loaded +with moisture that leather, put on one side and neglected for a very few +days, soon becomes covered with mildew. There are no saddle rooms in +Indian stables, and it is usual to keep them in a corner of a room in the +house on a wooden saddle-stand, called by natives a "ghorra" horse. In the +rains, a pan or brazier of burning charcoal should be kept in the room for +a few hours daily, if there is not a fire-place. Saddles are cleaned in +the same way as in England, and excellent saddle soap and dubbing is made +by the North-west Province Soap Works at Meerut, and can be obtained +almost anywhere. If this is not used, the "syces" can always make up +dubbing of their own, called "momrogan." Some people give their head +"syce" a monthly allowance to provide dubbing, soap, bathbrick, oil, etc.; +but as they frequently put lime and bleaching materials with it, I prefer +to buy it myself, and let them get the other articles. They require a +chamoise leather and a burnisher for steel-work, but one of each will do +for a stable of half a dozen horses, and very good country-made leathers +(sabur) can be got for from one to one and a half rupees. The soap is put +on to and rubbed into leather-work with the hands; but the great fault +they have is that they will put on too much, and won't work it in enough, +and one's breeches and hands will get into a great mess. + + +Saddle Covers (_buk bund_). + +A sheet, made out of a description of coarse country cloth (karwah), is +necessary for each saddle or set of harness, to wrap it up in, and keep +the dust and dirt off. It should be sufficiently large to wrap the saddle +up in completely, and in the summer the "syce" can bring it with him to +act as a horse-cloth to throw over the quarters when standing about. +These saddle-sheets can be made by any tailor in a few hours. + + +Bridles. + +Bridles, double (dahna), snaffle (kazai), can be hung up on the walls, but +a piece of cloth or a few sheets of paper should be fastened up behind +them; and they should be frequently taken down if not in daily use, as the +white ants are most destructive. It is best to have one or two extra +saddle-stands made with pegs on them, and to hang the bridles on them in +the middle of the room, away from the walls. This may be a little more +expensive, but a saddle-stand can be brought for Rs. 5 that will hold a +couple of dozen bridles, worth Rs. 20 apiece. At one time plated bits were +used in India, but I think steel ones are the best. "Syces" never can tell +the difference, and I have more than once found a plated bit being +industriously scrubbed and polished with sand. + + +Harness. + +Unless particularly desired, brown harness with brass mounts is the +best--for India, at all events--for pony-harness, and it is this class of +animal that is generally used in an up-country station. Not one "syce" in +a hundred knows how to clean black harness properly, and if this is not +done nothing looks worse, whereas almost any native can clean brown +leather after a fashion, and even if it does not stand close inspection, +it will pass muster at a little distance. Fairly good brown harness is +made out of country leather, and it does well enough for rough work, but +it never has the finish of English. Country leather reins and country bits +should never be used; they are not reliable, and are most dangerous; these +should always be English. + + +Carriages. + +The ordinary two-wheeled pony-trap or dogcart, used in an up-country +Indian station, is best varnished, not painted. The hot weather ruins +paint, and, unless in some of the very large towns, it is nearly +impossible to get them properly repainted again. Any native workman can, +however, varnish a trap with white or copal varnish. Before allowing new +varnish to be put on, the trap should be produced for inspection with the +old scraped off, as it is a favourite trick to daub new varnish over the +old, when it cannot properly set, and the first hot sun cracks and +blisters it. In the hot weather a large earthen basin, called a "naund," +should be kept full of water under the carriage in the coach-house; the +evaporation of the water will keep the woodwork moist, and prevent its +cracking with the heat. A matting made of the fibres of the "khus khus," +or lemon grass, should also be put round the nave of the wheel, and kept +wet, for the same purpose, as it is exceedingly likely to crack with the +heat. The shafts of the trap should not be left resting on the ground, as +they will warp and bend; they should be supported either by a wooden +trestle, or else by a couple of ropes from the beams of the roof. The +whip, when not in use, should be hung by a string at the upper part to a +nail in the wall, and a weight, such as a brick, tied to the butt end to +keep it straight; otherwise, in a very short time, it will get crooked. + + +Servants. + +Indian "syces" are different to English grooms, as the new arrival will +soon find. They have peculiar customs of their own, which, like all +Orientals, they cling to tenaciously, and will not give up. If they are +understood they are easily managed, and work well; but if not, the +horse-owner's life is a burden to him, for no European can overcome the +passive resistance of the Oriental. In the first place, I never let any +of the house servants interfere with the stable. Many persons, +particularly those new to the country, do everything through their head +servant, or "bearer"; but I make him stick to his own work, which is the +control of the house and the house servants. I pick out one of the best +and sharpest of the "syces," changing him till I get a good man, making +him the head or "jemedar syce," and paying him a rupee a month more wages +than the rest; and he is responsible for everything connected with the +horses, and any small bills I pay to him, and him alone. The wages I pay +myself to each man regularly on the seventh of the month, for the month +previously. I never lift my hand to a servant, or fine him under any +pretext, as the fine will only be made up out of the horse's grain, but, +if fault has to be found, I do so in the presence of the head man; on the +second occasion a warning is given, and on the third the offender is +dismissed on the spot. I always keep a "syce" and a "grass-cutter" for +each horse. It is possible to get a "syce" and two "grass-cutters" to look +after two horses, by paying the "syce" a rupee a month more; but the +arrangement is not satisfactory, although many do it. If the "syce" gets +ill, which they often do, there is no one to do his work, whereas, if +there is a man to each horse, they will arrange the extra work among +themselves. In Northern India "syces" and "grass-cutters" should be +provided with warm woollen clothes in the winter. An excellent cloth for +the purpose is made by the various woollen mills, and at most of them +servant's clothes can be bought ready made up; but it is best to give the +men the materials and let them get them made up themselves, otherwise +there is certain to be something wrong with them. A "syce's" coat costs +about Rs. 4, and a "grass-cutter's," which is made out of a coarse +blanketing, Rs. 3; and these coats should last for two winters' wear. In +addition, I used to give each man a "coolie" blanket that cost Rs. 3, and +which would last three winters; and, if they had to go out much into camp, +such as taking horses out to meet me on shooting or pig-sticking +expeditions, a pair of woollen leg-bandages, or "putties." It is a mistake +not to give servants warm clothes, and a false economy, as, if they are +not properly protected against the cold, which is very severe in Northern +India, they are everlastingly getting fever; and I know no greater +nuisance than having your head man laid up for two or three days at a +stretch. In the second place, if they have not warm clothes themselves, +you can never tell if in the night they will not take the clothing off the +horses to wrap themselves up in. A constant source of squabbling amongst +Indian servants is the allotment of their huts or houses. In the older +Indian bungalows there is usually enough of both these and stabling, but +in the newer ones there is not. It is best, however, not to listen to any +such complaints, and somehow the disputants settle the knotty point +themselves. Every now and again it is advisable to see who is living in +your compound, as a most enormous number of relations will turn up, who +are known as brothers (bhai); and if you don't look out, you will find you +are giving shelter on your premises to several hundred individuals. Indian +servants are always asking leave to attend weddings, funerals, and +religious ceremonies; and I always allow them to go, provided some +arrangement is made to carry on their work. They are clannish in the +extreme, and a substitute was always forthcoming. In the hills +"grass-cutters" are not required, as grass can be bought in the bazaars. +The country people look on the sale of this as a vested right, and +naturally resent any outsider cutting it or interfering with them; and, if +they do, there is pretty certain to be a disturbance and unpleasantness. +If "grass-cutters" are preferred to purchasing the daily supply, local +hillmen should be employed, who will arrange the matter with their +neighbours, and not men brought up from the plains of India. In most hill +stations passes or licences have to be obtained to cut grass. In every +Indian station there is an official price-list of country produce +published, and should any dispute arise as to the rates charged, it is as +well to obtain it from the native magistrate (tehsildar), whose decision +in such matters is usually accepted as final, and which generally saves an +immense amount of trouble. + + + + +SHOEING. + + +Shoeing (_nāl bundie_). + +Shoeing is a subject on which a volume might be written of itself, far +beyond the scope of this little work, and for further information on the +art I would refer the reader to the treatises by Dr. Flemming and W. +Hunting, Esq.; but as both these deal with European practice, I will only +mention a few differences in the art as performed by the native smith, or +"nāl bund." In most large military stations where there are European +troops, permission can generally be obtained to have horses shod at the +regimental forge, but in out-of-the-way places the native artist has to be +employed. All horses require shoeing at least once a month, and some +oftener, as with some the horn grows quicker than others, and the hoof +requires to be shortened oftener. In these cases, if the shoe is not worn +out at the toe, it can be replaced after the foot is shortened; this is +what the English smith calls "a remove," the native "khol bundi." It is +advisable after work to lift up the foot and look if the shoes (nāl) +have shifted or not, also to examine the clench or point of the nail +(preg) where it has been turned over, as it sometimes gets turned up and +sticks out. If this happens on the inside of the hoof it is likely to cut +the opposite fetlock (mawah lagna), and make a bad wound that may leave a +permanent scar or blemish. Some horses, from bad formation, move their +limbs so closely together that they always rub the fetlock joints when +they move. This sometimes can be corrected by what is known as a brushing +shoe; but some badly-shaped animals will always do it, no matter what sort +of shoe is put on. Various forms of pads or brushing boots are sold to +prevent this and protect the part; but, in my opinion, what is known as +the Irish boot is the best. It consists of a thick piece of blanket, or +"mundah," about six inches wide and the length of the circumference of the +leg. This is fastened round the fetlock with a tape or string so that the +ends are in the middle line of the leg behind, the upper half being +doubled over the string so that there are two thicknesses to protect the +fetlock joint. I have found this far better than the more elaborate +contrivances sold; it is cheap--any one can make one in a few minutes--it +does not collect mud and dirt like the others do, and it does not become +hard like those boots made out of leather, which, unless carefully looked +to and kept soft with soap (sabon) or dubbing (momrogan), are liable to +cut horses badly. The only care required in putting on the Irish boot is +not to tie it too tight, or the tapes may cut the skin. Some pieces of +horn hanging loose, that are being cast off from the sole and frog in the +natural process of growth, are often seen. These are very likely to +collect dirt and moisture, and if they do they should be removed, but +otherwise be left alone. They can generally be pulled off with the +fingers, a piece of stick, or the hoof-picker. As a rule, in the plains of +India the majority of horses do not require shoes on their hind feet, +unless the roads are mended with stone, or the climate is very damp and +the horn gets soft. In the rainy season, if much work is being done, they +perhaps then require shoeing behind, but in the dry season the majority go +just as well without. In the hills, where the paths are rocky and stony, +horses, of course, require shoeing behind. Unlike the European, the native +smith shoes what is called "cold," that is, he has a number of shoes in +sizes from which he selects one as near a fit as possible, which he +hammers into shape on a small anvil without heating it. Native shoes are +generally perfectly plain, _i.e._ flat on both sides, and, unless +specially made, are never "seated," _i.e._ sloped on the foot surface, or +"bevelled," _i.e._ sloped on the ground surface. As a rule, the nail-holes +are what the smith calls too fine, _i.e._ they are too near the outer rim +of the iron, and to get a hold the shoe has to be brought back so that the +horn projects over the iron. To obviate this the smith removes the toe +with the rasp, thus weakening the horn at the very place where it is +required to be strong. The shoes are generally somewhat too small also, +and to get the nail to take hold they have to be set back in the same way +as when the nail-holes are too fine. A native smith, unless he has been +shown how, never knows how to turn down the point of the nail after it has +been driven through the hoof to form the clench; he never cuts off the +superfluous part, but turns it round in a curl with the pincers, and, +needless to say, this is exceedingly likely to cause brushing. Another +great fault is his fondness of pairing and slicing away the frog and sole, +which he will have to be stopped in doing. I have seldom seen a horse +pricked in shoeing by a native, but if left to themselves they never get +the bearing true, and as a result corns are of common occurrence. Of +course, such light shoes as those of native manufacture have not a great +lot of wear in them, and in heavy, holding ground would pull off, but on +the hard level plains of India they last well enough, and the native +smith, if his faults are known and corrected, is not a bad workman after +his own lights. + + + + +GLOSSARY OF HINDUSTANI WORDS. + + +ADARWAH, _parched barley_. + +AGHARI, _a head rope_. + +AKH-TA, _a gelding_. + + +BAD HAZMIE, _indigestion_, _dyspepsia_. + +BAGH, _rein_. + +BAGH DORIE, _leading-rope_. + +BAJARA, _millet seed_. + +BALTI, _bucket_. + +BANIAH, _corn-dealer_. + +BĀNS, _bamboo_. + +BHAI, _brother_, _relative_. + +BHERIE, _iron shackles for horse's legs_. + +BHESTIE, _water carrier_. + +BICHALIE, _bedding straw_. + +BUK BUND, _saddle sheet_. + +BURRADAH, _sawdust_. + + +CHARPOY, _native bedstead_. + +CHARRAGH, _native oil lamp_. + +CHATTIE, _earthen pot_. + +CHAURIE, _fly-whisk_. + +CHEIL, _to dig up grass_. + +CHICK, _split bamboo window blind_. + +CHICK-NA, _muzzle_. + +CHOKER, _bran_. + +CHUCKIE, _hand-mill_. + +CHUNNA, _gram_. + +CHURRIE, _dried shorgum stalk used for cattle fodder_. + +COMPOUND, _enclosure round an Indian house_. + +CULTEE, _the black gram used as horse food in Madras_. + + +DAH, _a bill-hook_. + +DAH-NA, _a double bridle_. + +DAST, _diarrhœa_. + +DASTOUR, _custom_, _percentage_, _perquisites_. + +DHAN, _unhusked rice_. + +DHA NAH, _grain_. + +DHOOB, _an Indian grass on which horses are fed_. + +DHOOL, _a small leather bucket used for drawing water_. + +DURZIE, _a tailor_. + + +FARAKIE, _body-roller_. + + +GAJAR, _carrots_. + +GEHUN, _wheat_. + +GHORRA, _horse_. + +GHORRIE, _mare_. + +GUDDA, _donkey_. + +GUMALO, _earthen vessel shaped like a milk pan, holding about a gallon_. + +GUNNA, _sugar-cane_. + +GURDAINE, _horse-rug_. + + +HAWAH, _air_. + +HOOKHA, _a pipe_. + +HURRIALIE, _a species of grass_. + + +JAI, _oats_. + +JAMP, _a straw screen_. + +JARU, _a broom_. + +JHARAN, _duster_. + +JHOOL, _country horse clothing made out of felt_. + +JONK, _leech_. + +JOW, _barley_. + + +KALI NIMUK, _black salt_. + +KAR WAH, _a sort of cotton cloth_. + +KAZAI, _watering or snaffle bridle_. + +KHAL, _linseed cake_. + +KHANSILLA, _hood_. + +KHASIL, _green food_. + +KHAWID, _green food_. + +KHOALIE, _charcoal_. + +KHOL BUNDIE, _a remove in horse shoeing_. + +KHUA, _a well_. + +KHUS KHUS, _lemon grass_. + +KICHER KE MUTTEE, _clay_. + +KINCH MHAL, _twitch_. + +KIRIM, _worm_, _weevil_. + +KUMBAL, _blanket_. + +KURLIE, _manger_. + +KURPA, _a short iron hoe, used to dig grass with_. + +KUTCHER, _mule_. + + +MALISH, _grooming_. + +MAKE, _a wooden tent-peg_. + +MAKIE-ARA, _eye-fringe to keep off flies_. + +MAUND, _80 lbs. weight_. + +MAWAH LAGNA, _brushing of the fetlocks_. + +MISSA BHOOSA, _grain stalks crushed in thrashing_. + +MOAT, _pulse grain_. + +MOMROGAN, _dubbing_. + +MOTE, _pulse grain_. + +MUNG, _pulse grain_. + +MUSSUK, _leather water-bag_. + +MUTTIE, _earth_. + +MUZZUMA, _leather heel-strap_. + + +NĀL, _a horseshoe_. + +NĀL BUND, _a shoeing-smith_. + +NAUND, _a large wide-mouthed earthen vessel holding several gallons_. + +NEWAR, _cotton webbing_. + +NIMMUK, _salt_. + +NIRRICK, _the official price list_. + +NUKTA, _head stall_. + +NUMDAH, _felt pad for putting under a saddle_. + + +PAITE, _body-roller_. + +PANI, _water_. + +PECHARIE, _heel ropes_. + +PREG, _nail_. + +PUTTER KE NIMMUK, _rock salt_. + +PUTTIE, _a roller bandage_. + + +RET, _sand_. + +REITA, _soap nuts_. + +RHAL, _linseed cake_. + +ROLL KERNA, _to exercise_. + + +SABON, _soap_. + +SABUR, _chamois leather_. + +SAN, _a stallion_. + +SAZ, _harness_. + +SEER, _a two-pound weight_. + +SHALGHAM, _turnip_. + +SUFFAID BHOOSA, _wheat straw that has been crushed and broken in +thrashing_. + +SUM KHODNA, _hoof-picker_. + +SUN, _tow or hemp_. + +SYCE, _a groom_. + + +TOBRA, _a nose-bag_. + +TOKAR, _to trip or stumble_. + +TOKRIE, _a basket_. + +TULWAR, _a curved native sword_. + + +ULSIE, _linseed_. + + +ZIN, _a saddle_. + + + +LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, + +STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS. + + + + + No. 78. + + Telegrams: "MOFUSSIL, LONDON." + + Established 1819. + + + A SELECTION FROM THE PUBLICATIONS OF + + W. THACKER & CO., + 2, CREED LANE, LONDON, E.C. + + AND + + THACKER, SPINK & CO., + CALCUTTA. + + 1897. + + +SHAW, VERO. + +How to Choose a Dog, and How to Select a Puppy. With Notes on the +Peculiarities and Characteristics of each Breed. By VERO SHAW, Author of +"The Illustrated Book of the Dog," late Kennel Editor of the "Field." +Crown 8vo., sewed, 1_s._ 6_d._ + +_The Stock Keeper._--"The price is within everybody's means, and needless +to say the work is not of a pretentious nature. On the other hand, the +text keeps the promise of the title, and the advice that is given is good. +Each breed of dog has a chapter to itself, which opens with a few +introductory remarks of a general nature: then follow the points briefly +and plainly; next come average of the pup from six weeks old until he +attains maturity. A couple of pages at the end of the work are devoted to +the relation, and a few useful hints on buying, feeding, and breeding. +Needless to add that like all Mr. Vero Shaw's writings on canine subjects +the information is founded on practical experience and imparted in easy +excellent English." + + +NUNN, VETY. CAPT. J. A. + +Notes on Stable Management in India and the Colonies. Second Edition, +revised and enlarged, with a Glossary. Crown 8vo., cloth, 3_s._ 6_d._ + +CONTENTS.--Food, Water, Air, and Ventilation. Grooming, Gear, etc. + + +THOMAS, HENRY SULLIVAN, F.L.S. + +The Rod in India: being Hints how to obtain Sport, with remarks on the +Natural History of Fish and their Culture. By HENRY SULLIVAN THOMAS, +F.L.S. (Madras Civil Service, retired), Author of "Tank Angling in India." +Third Edition. Demy 8vo., cloth. [_In the Press._ + + +_Land and Water._--"A book to read for pleasure at home, as well as to use +as a handbook of exceeding value to the angler who may be already there, +or intending to visit India." + + + + +Capt. M. H. HAYES' BOOKS ON HORSES. + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Veterinary Notes for Horse-Owners. An Illustrated Manual of Horse Medicine +and Surgery, written in simple language. Fifth Edition. This Edition is +revised throughout, considerably enlarged, and incorporates the substance +of the Author's "Soundness and Age of Horses." Thick crown 8vo., buckram, +15_s._ + +_Saturday Review._--"Captain Hayes' work is a valuable addition to our +stable literature; and the illustrations, tolerably numerous, are +excellent beyond the reach of criticism." + +_Times._--"A necessary guide for horse-owners, especially those who are +far removed from immediate professional assistance." + +_Field._--"Of the many popular veterinary books which have come under our +notice, this is certainly one of the most scientific and reliable. If some +painstaking student would give us works of equal merit to this on the +diseases of the other domestic animals, we should possess a very complete +veterinary library in a very small compass." + +_Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News._--"Simplicity is one of the most +commendable features in the book. What Captain Hayes has to say he says in +plain terms, and the book is a very useful one for everybody who is +concerned with horses." + +_Lancet._--"The usefulness of the manual is testified to by its +popularity, and each edition has given evidence of increasing care on the +part of the author to render it more complete and trustworthy as a book of +reference for amateurs." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Indian Racing Reminiscences. Profusely Illustrated. Impl. 16mo., 3_s._ +6_d._ + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Points of the Horse. A familiar Treatise on Equine Conformation. Second +Edition. Revised and enlarged. This edition has been thoroughly revised +and contains numerous additions, including specially written Chapters on +the Breeds of English and Foreign Horses. Illustrated by 200 reproductions +of Photographs of Typical "Points" and Horses, and 205 Drawings by J. H. +OSWALD BROWN. Super-royal 8vo., cloth, gilt top, 34_s._ + +Also a _LARGE PAPER EDITION_, strictly limited to One Hundred and Fifty +Copies for England and the Colonies, numbered and signed by the Author. +Demy 4to., art cloth, top edges gilt, uncut, 63s. net. [_Nearly all sold._ + + +Press Opinions on the Second Edition. + +_Times, Feb., 1897._--"The intrinsic value of the book, and high +professional reputation of its author, should ensure this new edition a +cordial welcome from Sportsmen and all lovers of the horse." + +_Field._--"A year or two ago we had to speak in terms of praise of the +first edition of this book, and we welcome the second and more complete +issue. The first edition was out of print in six months, but, instead of +reprinting it, Capt. Hayes thought it better to wait until he had enough +material in hand to enable him to make to the second edition those +additions and improvements he had proposed to himself to add. The result +is in every way satisfactory, and in this handsome book the searcher after +sound information on the make and shape of the horse will find what will +be of the utmost use to him. Those who have been, or who contemplate being +at no distant date, in the position of judges at horse shows, will derive +great benefit from a careful perusal of Capt. Hayes's pages." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Illustrated Horsebreaking. Second Edition. This Edition has been entirely +re-written; the amount of the letterpress more than doubled, and 75 +reproductions of Photographs have been added. Impl. 16mo., buckram, 21_s._ + +_Field._--"It is a characteristic of all Captain Hayes' books on horses +that they are eminently practical, and the present one is no exception to +the rule. A work which is entitled to high praise as being far and away +the best reasoned-out one on breaking under a new system we have seen." + +_Veterinary Journal._--"The work is eminently practical and readable." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Riding: on the Flat and Across Country. A Guide to Practical Horsemanship. +Impl. 16mo., cloth gilt., 10_s._ 6_d._ + +_Times._--"Captain Hayes' hints and instructions are useful aids, even to +experienced riders, while for those less accustomed to the saddle, his +instructions are simply invaluable." + +_Standard._--"Captain Hayes is not only a master of his subject, but he +knows how to aid others in gaming such a mastery as may be obtained by the +study of a book." + +_Field._--"We are not in the least surprised that a third edition of this +useful and eminently practical book should be called for. On former +occasions we were able to speak of it in terms of commendation, and this +edition is worthy of equal praise." + +_Baily's Magazine._--"An eminently practical teacher, whose theories are +the outcome of experience, learned not in the study, but on the road, in +the hunting field, and on the racecourse." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Training and Horse Management in India. Fifth Edition. Crown 8vo., cloth, +7_s._ 6_d._ + +_Saturday Review._--"A useful guide in regard to horses anywhere. Concise, +practical, and portable." + +_Veterinary Journal._--"We entertain a very high opinion of Captain Hayes' +book on 'Horse Training and Management in India,' and are of opinion that +no better guide could be placed in the hands of either amateur horseman or +veterinary surgeon newly arrived in that important division of our +empire." + +_Field._--"We have always been able to commend Captain Hayes' books as +being essentially practical and written in understandable language. As +trainer, owner, and rider of horses on the flat and over country, the +author has had a wide experience, and when to this is added competent +veterinary knowledge, it is clear that Captain Hayes is entitled to +attention when he speaks." + + +HAYES, Mrs. Edited by CAPT. M. H. HAYES. + +The Horsewoman. A Practical Guide to Side-Saddle Riding. With 4 Collotypes +from Instantaneous Photographs, and 48 Drawings after Photographs, by J. +H. OSWALD BROWN. Square 8vo., cloth gilt, 10_s._ 6_d._ + +_Times._--"A large amount of sound, practical instruction, very +judiciously and pleasantly imparted." + +_Field._--"This is the first occasion on which a practical horseman and a +practical horsewoman have collaborated in bringing out a book on riding +for ladies. The result is in every way satisfactory, and, no matter how +well a lady may ride, she will gain much valuable information from a +perusal of 'The Horsewoman.' The book is happily free from self-laudatory +passages." + +_The Queen._--"A most useful and practical book on side-saddle riding, +which may be read with real interest by all lady riders." + + +MILLER, E. D. Edited by CAPT. M. H. HAYES. + +Modern Polo. A Practical Guide to the Science of the Game, Training of +Ponies, Rules, etc. By Mr. E. D. MILLER, late 17th Lancers. Edited by M. +H. HAYES, F.R.C.V.S. With Sixty-four Illustrations from Photographs. Impl. +16mo., cloth extra, 12_s._ 6_d._ + +A practical and exhaustive description of the Science of the game, duties +of players, selection, breaking, training, and management of ponies, +various breeds of ponies in all parts of the world. Polo in India; +Hurlingham, Indian, and American Rules, etc. Beautifully illustrated with +sixty-four reproductions of Photographs showing the various "points" of +the game, famous ponies, players, etc. + +CONTENTS.--Chapter I. First Steps at Polo.--Chapter II. Theory and +Practice of Polo.--Chapter III. Polo Appliances.--Chapter IV. Choosing a +Polo Pony.--Chapter V. Training the Polo Pony.--Chapter VI. Polo Pony +Gear.--Chapter VII. Polo Pony Management.--Chapter VIII. Various Breeds of +Polo Ponies.--Chapter IX. Polo in India.--Chapter X. Polo Pony +Breeding.--Chapter XI. Veterinary Advice to Polo Players.--Appendix. +Tournaments, Laws and Bye-Laws, etc. + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Friedberger and Frœhner's Veterinary Pathology. Translated from the +original German of the recently published Fourth Edition, and Annotated. +[_In the press._ + + + + +FORTHCOMING WORKS. + +Dairy Cows. A Practical Guide in the Choice and Management of Dairy +Cattle, etc. By HAROLD LEENEY, M.R.C.V.S. + +The Best Breeds of British Stock. Edited by JOHN WATSON, F.L.S. + +Thacker's Veterinary Year Book. + +CONTENTS.--Events of the Year--List of Officers--President and +Council--New Members Qualified during the Year--Privileges of +Members--Students who have passed A and B Classes--The Number of +Rejections in England and Scotland--A Review of all the Veterinary Medical +Societies--Digest of Papers Read, with Names of Speakers and +Extracts--Horse Fairs and Markets--Auction Sales and Laws--New +Instruments--New Drugs--New Shoes--Posological Tables--Original Articles +by well-known Authors, etc. + +It has long been felt that a Veterinary Year Book was needed for use by +the large and increasing profession of Veterinary Surgeons, and it is +hoped that this work will meet the necessary requirements. + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. H. + +Friedberger and Frœhner's Veterinary Pathology. Translated from the +original German of the recently published Fourth Edition, and Annotated by +Capt. M. H. HAYES, F.R.C.V.S., Author of "Points of the Horse," etc. Royal +8vo., cloth. + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. H. + +Stable Management in England. + + +PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON and BECCLES. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes on Stable Management in India +and the Colonies, by Joshua A. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Notes on Stable Management in India and the Colonies + +Author: Joshua A. Nunn + +Release Date: May 15, 2010 [EBook #32376] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOTES ON STABLE MANAGEMENT *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + +NOTES ON STABLE MANAGEMENT. + + + + + NOTES ON + STABLE MANAGEMENT + IN INDIA AND THE COLONIES. + + + BY + VETY.-CAPT. J. A. NUNN, F.R.C.V.S., C.I.E., D.S.O., + + ARMY VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, + LATE PRINCIPAL LAHORE VETERINARY COLLEGE. + + + SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED, + WITH A GLOSSARY. + + + LONDON: + W. THACKER & CO., 2, CREED LANE. + CALCUTTA: THACKER, SPINK & CO. + 1897. + + [_All rights reserved._] + + + + LONDON: + PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, + STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The first edition of these notes, which was written in India, having been +sold out in a much shorter space of time than I ever anticipated when I +wrote it, I am induced to offer this to the public. The scope of the +original pamphlet has been adhered to, and all that is aimed at is to give +the new arrival in the East some idea as to the management of his horses, +especially those who are setting up a stable for the first time. The first +edition was written in India for Anglo-Indians, who are familiar with +native terms; but to this, being published in England, I have added a +glossary of the more ordinary Hindustani words likely to be of use. The +spelling of these will be probably found fault with by the Oriental +scholar; but I have endeavoured to bring it as near the sound as possible, +as it is only intended for persons in absolute ignorance of the +vernacular. There appearing to be a demand for the book in the colonies, +at the suggestion of the publishers I have added a few remarks on +Australia and South Africa. The entire work has been rewritten, and the +matter contained is the result of my own personal observations during +eighteen years' service in India and the colonies at both military and +civil duties. + +JOSHUA A. NUNN. + + LONDON, + _March_, 1897. + + + + +PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. + + +The following notes on Stable Management were originally delivered in a +lecture to the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Troopers of the +Punjab Light Horse, and as they were considered by the members of the +corps to be useful, at their request I have put them on paper. There is no +attempt at anything beyond the most elementary rudiments of horse-keeping +in India, and all they are intended for is to give volunteers of mounted +corps, who have not previously owned horses, some slight idea as to what +should be done for the care of their chargers, and not leave them entirely +in the hands of native syces and horse-keepers. + +JOSHUA A. NUNN. + + LAHORE, + _December_, 1895. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + +FOOD. + + Gram 1 + Barley 6 + Bran 7 + Bran Mash 9 + Oats 9 + Maize 11 + Wheat 13 + Rice 14 + Millet 15 + Pulses 15 + Linseed 16 + Linseed Cake 17 + Black Gram 18 + Preparation of Food 18 + Horses refusing Food 19 + Times of Feeding 20 + Bolting Food 21 + Spilling Food on Ground 22 + Grass 22 + Churrie 25 + Bhoosa 25 + Bamboo Leaves 27 + Oat Hay Forage 28 + Hay 29 + Green Food 32 + Green Gram 33 + Carrots 34 + Lucerne 34 + Guinea Grass 38 + Sugar Cane 38 + Turnips 39 + Salt 39 + Tonics 40 + Horses not Feeding 41 + Damaged Food 42 + Irregular Teeth 42 + Young Horses Cutting Teeth 44 + Quidding 44 + Indigestion 45 + Lampas 45 + Nose-bags 46 + Mangers 47 + Worms 48 + Rubbing the Tail 49 + Scouring 49 + + +WATER. + + Water 51 + Times of Watering 52 + Watering Troughs 53 + Watering on a Journey 53 + Watering after a Journey 54 + Watering Bridles 54 + Leeches 55 + Wells 56 + + +AIR AND VENTILATION. + + Stables 58 + Chicks 60 + Stable Floors 61 + Charcoal 62 + Picketing 62 + Bedding 63 + Sawdust 64 + Shavings 65 + Sand 65 + Horses eating Bedding 65 + Exercise 66 + + +GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, ETC. + + Heel Ropes 69 + Head Ropes 72 + Fetlock Picketing 73 + Picketing Posts 73 + Ringing 74 + Rheims 75 + Knee-haltering 75 + Shackles 75 + Picketing-pegs 76 + Leading-ropes 77 + Brushes and Gear 78 + Curry-combs 78 + Buckets 79 + Dusters 79 + Hoof-picker 80 + Clothing 80 + Hoods 81 + Body-rollers 82 + Bandages 83 + Summer Clothing 84 + Eye Fringes 84 + Fly Whisks 85 + Cleaning Horse Clothing, and Storing it in the Summer 85 + Numdahs 86 + Grooming 87 + Wisps and Grooming Pads 89 + Hand-rubbing 90 + Washing 91 + Uneven Manes 91 + Hogged Manes 92 + Ragged Legs 93 + Trimming Tails 94 + Clipping 94 + Cleaning the Sheath 95 + Lights in Stable 96 + Fires in Verandahs 96 + + +SADDLERY, HARNESS, CARRIAGES AND SERVANTS. + + Saddles and Harness 97 + Saddle Covers 98 + Bridles 99 + Harness 99 + Carriages 100 + Servants 101 + + +SHOEING 106 + + + + +STABLE MANAGEMENT. + + + + +FOOD. + + +Gram (_chunnah_). + +In the north of India the chief food on which horses are fed is gram, the +seed of one of the pea tribe of plants. It is a crop that ripens in the +beginning of the summer, when it is harvested, and the grain thrashed out +by driving cattle over it in a circle. The dry stalks, that are broken up +into small pieces, are used for feeding cattle on, and are known as "missa +bhoosa," in contradistinction to the stalks of the wheat when submitted to +the same process, and which is known as "suffaid," or white bhoosa. The +price of gram varies very greatly, according to the locality and season, +and is a subject of much speculation and gambling amongst the native +community. I have known it as high as 7 seers (14 lbs. weight), and as low +as a maund (80 lbs. weight), per rupee. It also varies greatly in +quality, depending on the locality in which it is grown and the conditions +under which it has been harvested, and is by native grain-sellers known as +first and second class gram. Good gram, when a small quantity is taken up +and examined in the palm of the hand, should be free from sand, dirt, +small pieces of stick, straws, or other sorts of seeds; in fact, it +should, what is known in the trade, "run clean." Each individual grain +should be round and plump, as if the husk was well filled. It should not +be shrivelled up and wrinkled, and be free from worm or weevil marks, +which can be told by there being a small round hole in it, and the grain, +when cracked, being found hollowed out and eaten away. Generally the +weevil (kirim) will be found in the cavity, but if not, it will be full of +a fine powder. Weevil-eaten gram cannot be mistaken, and denotes that the +grain is old, and has been badly stored. In most samples of gram, unless +quite new, a small proportion of worm-eaten grains will be found, and this +is not of any consequence; but if there are a large number, there will be +a larger proportion of husk (which has no nourishing properties) than +grain, and a larger quantity will have to be given. When a grain of gram +is crushed between the teeth it should impart the taste of a dry pea in +the mouth, and be devoid of all mustiness, which is present if it has got +wet or mouldy, as it is very apt to do. In new gram the husk at the point +is of a slightly greenish shade, that disappears with keeping. It is +generally supposed that new gram is not so good as when it is a few months +old; but myself, I have never seen any ill effects from its use. The only +thing to be careful about is that it is perfectly ripe, for natives have a +great trick of cutting and plucking every grain, fruit, and vegetable +before they have arrived at full maturity. Gram should be crushed or +bruised, not _ground_, so as to break the outer husk and allow the juices +of the stomach to act on the kernel. It should be crushed or bruised only, +as if ground into a fine powder a good deal goes to waste. It is +sufficient if each seed is so crushed that it is split in two. Gram, +wheat, and all other grains in the East are ground by the women of the +family between two stones, one of which revolves on the top of the other +by means of a wooden handle fixed in it. To crush gram the stones require +to be sharper set than if they are to grind any other grain into flour. +Gram can be got ready crushed from the corn-dealer (baniah) at a small +increased charge per maund (80 lbs.), or what I generally do is to pay my +head groom (syce) the regular bazaar rate (nirrick), and get the women of +his family to crush it, they providing their own mill (chuckie). The only +disadvantage of this plan is that it is necessary to weigh the grain a +second time after it has been crushed, otherwise it will be short, as +natives eat it themselves. But I found in the long run the syces would not +steal it; natives are sharp enough to see when any profit can be made, and +it was not to their advantage to give back short weight. Excellent +gram-crushing machines, working with fluted rollers, are sold by several +firms in India, and are adjustable so as to take any grain. They are made +to fit into a box for travelling, which, when in use, forms a stand for +the crusher to work on. They are, however, somewhat expensive, and +although admirable for a large stud of horses, are hardly required for a +private stable. If, however, expense is no object, they are certainly +preferable to the native mill, as they are cleaner, bits of grit not +coming off the stone, and each individual grain being crushed, which even +the best native mills will not do. Crushed grain is much quicker digested +than whole, particularly by old horses whose teeth are not in good order, +and who cannot masticate their food properly. It is a common mistake to +give too much gram or other grain, there being a prevailing idea that the +more that is given the more work the horse will do. There is no greater +error; it is like putting more coal into the furnace of an engine that can +only consume a certain amount; the extra quantity only goes to waste, and +upsets the digestive functions of the stomach. What is required is a +judicious admixture of food given at a proper time; not a large quantity +improperly given of an improper quality. Gram should be given in the +proportion of one part of bran to two of gram; or what is better, one part +each of bran (choker), gram, and parched barley (adarwah), or oats (jai), +by weight. These can be purchased separately from the corn-dealer and +mixed together, and thus cannot be eaten by any of the servants, like pure +gram can be. If the horse is not digesting his food properly, whole grains +will be found in his droppings that have passed through the bowels +unaltered. There will be always a few of these found, especially if the +horse is getting parched barley or oats, as the husks of both these grains +are very indigestible. If the horse begins to get thin, and fall away in +condition as well, it is then time to take some measures to remedy +matters, otherwise no notice need be taken. + + +Barley (_jow_). + +In many parts of Northern India, especially on the Afghan frontier, whole, +uncrushed barley is used. It does not seem to hurt country-breds, but with +old animals that are not used to it, and particularly Australians, the +practice is dangerous. During the Afghan War, on one occasion there being +no other grain available, whole barley was supplied to the horses of the +battery of artillery to which I then belonged. A number of them were +attacked with colic, and several died from the irritation caused by the +pointed awns or ends of the beards to the bowels. No doubt horses, and +particularly young ones, will get used to feeding on most grains if the +change is brought about gradually, but a sudden change from any one to +another is dangerous. At the best, whole barley is not an economical food. +The husk resists the digestive action of the stomach and intestines, and a +quantity is always passed out of the body whole. Barley ought certainly +always to be crushed, or, better still, parched, and turned into +"adarwah." This is done by professional grain parchers in the bazaar; but +sometimes, though rarely, some of the women of the servants' families can +do it. It consists of half filling a wide shallow iron pan with sand, and +placing it over a fire till nearly red hot. A couple of handfuls of the +grain is then thrown into the sand with a peculiar turn of the wrist which +scatters it over the hot surface, about which it is stirred for a few +seconds with an iron spoon or small shovel pierced with holes like a +fish-ladle. The grain is partially baked, swells up and becomes brittle, +the husk cracking, when it is scraped up and lifted out with the ladle, +the sand being riddled through back into the pan. A good parcher will turn +out a "maund" (80 lbs.) in a wonderfully short space of time, the whole +process being gone through with a dexterity only acquired by long +practice. In India barley usually runs very light, there being a great +deal of husk. Boiled barley is a most useful diet for a sick horse. It +requires well boiling for at least half an hour, and the water then +drained off. I have known horses drink this barley-water when they won't +look at anything else. + + +Bran (_choker_). + +In most of the large stations in India there are flour-mills in which +wheat is ground with the latest machinery, and when obtained from them, +bran differs but little from what is seen in England; but in smaller +places wheat is ground by native mills, and then the bran is not so clean. +When native-made bran is run over the hand, it will be seen that there is +a large amount of flour in it, which adheres to the skin like a white +powder, and which makes it much more nourishing than the cleaner prepared +article. The scales also of native-made bran are much more irregular in +size than the European manufactured article. Bran should have a clean, +fresh smell about it, and the newer it is the better; if kept long it is +likely to get mouldy. This is particularly the case during the rainy +season, when the atmosphere being saturated with moisture, a good deal is +absorbed by the bran, and if kept in this state for any time will get +mouldy. On this account, if it is necessary to store bran during the rainy +season, it should be kept in tin boxes. The inside lining of old packing +cases, in which perishable goods are brought out from England, do well for +this purpose, and plenty can be got for a small sum in the bazaar shops; +or, if not, any native tinsmith will make a box out of old kerosine oil +tins for a small sum. + + +Bran Mash. + +It is a good plan, particularly in warm weather, in any country to give +horses a bran mash once a week, and if one particular evening is fixed +upon, syces get into the habit of giving it regularly without special +orders. I generally used to give a standing order to give it on Saturday +night, for, as a rule, the horses are not required on Sunday. Bran has a +slightly relaxing effect, that in warm climates is particularly +beneficial. Bran mash is made by simply putting the necessary quantity of +bran into a bucket, pouring boiling water gradually on to it, at the same +time stirring it round with a stick until the whole is moist and mixed +together. The bran should only be damped sufficiently to make it stick +together, and should not be sloppy and wet. Some horses at first will not +eat bran, but they can be tempted to by mixing a handful of whatever grain +they have been used to with it. + + +Oats (_jai_). + +Oats are now largely grown over the Punjab, Northern India, and in +Tirhoot, and are sold at nearly the same price as barley. In the seaport +towns Australian oats can usually be obtained; and as good oats are grown +in the colonies as any part of the world. They are more expensive than +the native article, and are generally only used for training race-horses +on. The Indian oat, compared with the English, Australian, or South +African, is a poor article, running very light, with a great amount of +husk; but if properly crushed, and mixed with gram and bran in proportions +of one part of each, they are greatly superior to barley. The oat in India +is a winter crop, and is harvested in the spring. Both colonial and Indian +oats are always white. I have never seen the black or tawny variety which +is so common in Ireland. A demand having arisen for them by Europeans, it +is sometimes possible in Northern India to buy them in the bazaar; but +generally it is necessary to make a special arrangement with the grower, +as natives do not use them as a feeding grain for their own animals. They +grow the crop round the wells, and cut it green in the straw as forage for +the well and plough bullocks in the spring, when they are working hard. +Arrangements can generally be made with the cultivator to purchase so much +from him by weight, thrashed and delivered at your own stable, or else to +purchase so many acres of the standing crop as it is growing; but the +former plan is the most satisfactory, as it is astonishing the heavy crop +that will be produced; and, on the contrary, you will be equally +astonished to find with the other plan how light it is. The negotiations +for the supply of oats should be entered into in good time in the +spring--say about the beginning of March--as it is astonishing how slow +such matters progress in the East, and they had better be left in the +hands of your head syce. No doubt you will be cheated out of a small +amount, but you must make up your mind for this before arriving in the +East; but you will have the satisfaction of knowing that if you tried to +carry on negotiations yourself you would be cheated out of more. I have +tried both plans, and found that the syce could drive a better bargain for +both of us than when I attempted to deal direct with the cultivator. + + +Maize (_makkai_). + +Although grown all over India, maize is not much used for feeding horses; +but in South Africa, where it is known as "mealies," it is the staple food +grain for both man and beast. In India it is said to make horses fat and +soft, but no animal in the world does harder work than a South African +post-cart horse. In all probability the reason they do well on maize is +that in the oat-hay forage they get there is a considerable quantity of +grain; and although I have never seen it used, the experiment of feeding +on oats and maize would be worth while trying in India. In South Africa +maize is usually given whole, but in any of the towns it can be obtained +crushed, and it is better to give it in this state. During the Afghan War +maize was plentiful in some parts of the country, and I gave it to some of +the horses that I had charge of. I had it parched on hot sand, in the same +way as barley (adarwah) is parched, making it into American pop-corn. With +certain somewhat thin and debilitated animals it had a marked effect in +getting flesh on them, and all horses eat it greedily. In India maize is a +summer crop, ripening in the autumn, when the ears or cobs are picked off +the stalks. It is stored in the cob, and the individual grains knocked off +as required by rapping them against a stick; but they must be turned over +in the heap occasionally, as rats and mice are likely to cause damage, +particularly the musk rat, that taints everything it comes into contact +with. Horses have frequently been brought to me, said to be off their +feed, and on inquiry I have found this only to be caused by the grain +being tainted by musk rats, and that when a clean feed is offered to them +they devour it ravenously. There are in South Africa and America a number +of varieties of maize, but in India I only know of two sorts, in one of +which the seeds are white and the other yellow, or a deep red colour. I +don't think that there is much difference in them as far as horse food +goes, but each individual grain should be plump, and fill out the husk +well; they should be free from weevils, worms, or the marks of attacks +from rats and mice. The husk should be well filled out, and have a +shining, pearl-like, glistening appearance, and when let fall on a stone +or other hard substance give off a metallic sound. When broken open, the +grain inside should be of a pure white colour, and of a pleasant, mealy +smell, like fresh flour. If it is discoloured, it denotes that it has been +wet and fermented. Maize can be crushed by most grain-crushing machines, +also in the native mill (chuckie) if the stones are properly set; but both +in South Africa and India the natives pound it in a large wooden mortar +made out of the trunk of a tree. + + +Wheat (_ghehun_). + +Although it is not to be recommended as a food, still I have seen wheat +used when no other grain could be obtained, and it was a choice of it or +nothing at all; and in parts of Australia, and, I believe, America, it is +regularly used as a horse food. It is commonly supposed that wheat is +almost a rank poison to horses, and will cause fever in the feet; and no +doubt with stabled animals in England it will do so, especially as the +majority of cases of this nature are from accidents--horses getting loose +and gorging themselves with wheat during the night, or when unobserved. +With animals standing out in the open and working hard, as they do in +India and the colonies, it is not so dangerous. I should not suddenly +change a horse's feed from oats or gram to a full ration of wheat; but +when nothing else can be got, it can be given in a small quantity without +much fear of danger; but as soon as any other grain could be obtained, it +should be used. + + +Rice (_dhan_). + +In Eastern Bengal and Assam horses are fed on unhusked rice and will do +well on it. During the expedition into the Lushai Hills in 1879-80, in +many places nothing else could be got to feed the transport mules on. Gram +is not grown in that part of the country, and what little there is has to +be imported, and is at a prohibitive price. I found that animals did well +enough on an equal mixture of gram and rice, although at first some of +them refused it. In Japan rice is the only grain horses get, and the pack +ponies of that country are hardy beasts, and appear to work well on it. If +the rice can be crushed, it is all the better; and in Bengal and Assam +there is no difficulty in getting this done, as it is the food of the +people, and they grind it for their own use. + + +Millet (_bajara_). + +The various millets, known in South Africa as "Kaffir-corn," are not often +used in India as horse food, but in the Cape it sometimes is. In India the +millet is a summer crop harvested in the autumn. The seeds are small, and +of a dark or greyish colour. It requires to be crushed before use, as the +husk is very hard. + + +Pulses (_dhal_). + +The various species of pulse grains enter largely into the food of the +natives of India. Two, known as "mung" and "mote," or "moat," are +excellent for getting flesh on thin, debilitated animals. They are both +small oblong seeds of an olive green colour, with a very hard husk, and +can be obtained in any bazaar. I prefer the mote to the mung. They both +require to be well boiled to the consistency of a jelly before use, and +then being well mixed in with the food, about a pound in weight of the raw +seed being enough for each feed, so that the horse gets three pounds +daily, a corresponding quantity of the other grain being withdrawn. I have +seen most excellent results in weak animals recovering from a debilitating +illness from its use, but great care must be taken that it is boiled +properly. + + +Linseed (_ulsie_). + +Linseed can be obtained all over India. In fact, a good deal of what is on +the English market comes from the East. Under certain conditions it is +useful in putting on flesh, and as a diet for convalescents; but care must +be exercised in its use, as it contains a great deal of oil, and in cases +of sickness with liver complications, which are common in a hot climate, +especially in English and Australian horses, it is to be avoided. It has +to be boiled to a jelly before use, or, better still, soak it in cold +water for some hours until soft, and then boil it. In the hot weather, +however, I prefer to use either the "mote" or "mung" to linseed. + + +Linseed Cake (_rhal_ or _khal_). + +Linseed cake can be obtained in nearly every large town, and is the +residue left after the oil is expressed; but as this process is +imperfectly performed, a good deal of oil is left--much more than in the +steam-pressed English cake. It is sold by the "seer" (2 lbs. weight), but +in irregular lumps, not moulded into cakes as in Europe. Care must be +taken in buying it, as it is very likely to be musty, and adulterated with +mustard or rape seed. Both these can be easily detected by the taste or +smell, leaving a pungent odour and a sharp burning taste behind. The best +plan is to crush a small quantity of the cake and drop it into some +boiling water, when the sharp smell and taste characteristic of the +mustard and rape oil will be given off. A small quantity of linseed cake +in the food will fatten horses tremendously, but makes them soft in +condition. It is one of the articles used by native dealers to fatten +horses for sale, and at this they are most expert. When crushed it can be +mixed with the food, or boiled to make linseed tea for sick horses; and +for this latter purpose I prefer it to linseed, as there is less oil in +it, the smell of which sometimes nauseates an animal and causes him to +refuse it. + + +Black Gram (_cooltee_). + +In the Madras Presidency and Southern India black gram is used, the Bengal +white gram not being grown there. This has to be boiled before use. +Military horses are fed on it, but it is said that it makes them soft. I +have, however, no personal experience of black gram. + + +Preparation of Food. + +In India it is the custom to damp the food before it is given. It should +not be saturated so as to turn it into a sloppy paste, but just damped +sufficiently to make the particles stick together. Grooms (syces) +generally deal out each feed into a bucket dry from the corn-bin, and then +damp it; but a better plan is to weigh out the whole of the amount +required for all the horses, and put it into a wide-mouthed earthen bowl +called a "naund," that can be purchased for a few pence, or a box, such as +an old wine case, and damp the whole amount together, then portioning it +out for each animal. The reason of this is that, if the grain is damped in +the buckets, they are at once taken away, and, the probabilities are, +never cleaned; but if they have to be brought forward for each feed to be +put into them, and the owner takes the trouble now and again to inspect +them, "syces," who are creatures of habit, get into the way of cleaning +them before they bring them forward. The box, or naund, in which the grain +is damped being stationary, can be looked at any time. It is necessary to +be very careful about this, as the particles of food left very quickly +ferment in a hot climate, and get sour, and quickly taint all the rest. As +a rule, about ten minutes is long enough to damp grain; and this should be +done as soon before feeding as possible, otherwise, if left long standing, +it will get sour. If a horse refuses his feed, it should be at once thrown +away, and on no account be kept till the next meal, by which time it is +pretty certain to have fermented. + + +Horses refusing Food. + +Some horses are delicate feeders naturally, and take a long time in +eating, or refuse their food altogether. In the case of a delicate or slow +feeder, the food should be given in small quantities and often, rather +than in the usual somewhat rather large feeds three times a day; and the +horse should be fed by himself. This is easily done in India, as nearly +all stables are loose boxes; but if the animal is picketed out with others +that are likely to teaze him, he should be taken away and fed out of a +bucket in the "compound" (garden or enclosure round the house). "Syces," +like all natives of India, have no idea of the value of time; and if he +has his "hooka" (pipe), and a friend to talk to about the price of +food-stuffs, rates of wages, and other such-like interesting bazaar +topics, he is perfectly content to sit holding the bucket before the horse +all day long, if necessary. If the animal refuses his food altogether, +then it should be taken away, for if left standing in front of him he +breathes on it, and if it remains any considerable time it becomes sour +and fermented, and he gets disgusted with it; whereas, if taken away and +nothing more given till next feeding-time, the appetite often returns, and +the food is consumed with a relish; especially in the warm weather, if he +is first led out and exercised, or picketed out under a tree. On no +account should the feed that has been refused be kept over till the next +feeding-time; a fresh one should be prepared, as in a hot climate wet +grain ferments and turns sour in a very short space of time. + + +Times of Feeding. + +The stomach of the horse is very small in proportion to the size of his +body, and he requires to be fed often, and in small quantities. In +England hunters are fed four, or even five, times a day. In India it is +the usual custom to feed three times, and perhaps it is often enough. In +all military stations a gun is fired at noon, and the midday feed is given +at that hour; but the morning and evening one varies with the season of +the year. I usually give only half a feed in the evening about five +o'clock, and the remainder the last thing at night, about eight or nine, +according to the season of the year; but, unless carefully watched, +"syces" will not do this, as it is the custom only to feed three times +daily, and "dastour" (custom) is a thing it is impossible to make a native +break through. + + +Bolting Food. + +Some horses have a trick of bolting their food without masticating it +properly, especially if another is being fed in their company. It is a +good plan to feed such horses apart from any others, which can easily be +done in an Indian stable, as they are all loose boxes, or, if picketed out +in the open, by moving him a short distance away from the others. A small +quantity of chaff, grass, straw, or what is known as "bhoosa," which is +wheat straw that is crushed and broken into small pieces in the process +of treading out the grain by bullocks, mixed in with the feed, will +usually make them masticate it properly. + + +Spilling Food on Ground. + +Horses have also a trick sometimes of throwing their food out of the +bucket or manger, and spilling a quantity on the ground. Not only is a +large amount wasted, but when the animal has finished what is left, and +tries at his leisure to gather up what is on the ground, he eats a large +amount of earth and dirt with it, which is injurious. The best way I know +to prevent this is to feed the horse on a cloth on the ground; any bit of +old sacking about four feet square will answer for the purpose. + + +Grass. + +In India hay is not often seen, and horses are fed on grass; even +race-horses are trained on it. This may at first sound strange, but Indian +grass is very different to English meadow grass, and chiefly consists of +the roots and runners, the actual blade of grass not being more than about +an inch long. The best grass is what is known as "dhoob." It is a short +grass, with long roots and suckers, which is dug up out of the ground with +a short iron hoe or trowel, called a "kurpa," which is used with a +scraping motion of the hand, the process being called "cheeling." A +considerable quantity of earth is taken up with it, which ought to be +knocked off against the hoe; but as the grass is sold by weight, and the +usual quantity a private "grass-cutter" is supposed to bring in daily is +20 seers (40 lbs. weight), it is not to his advantage to clean it. If +horses eat dirty grass for any length of time, the sand and dirt, besides +damaging the teeth, is likely to accumulate in the intestines and give +rise to what is known as sand colic. When the "grass-cutter" brings in his +bundle of grass that he has collected, which he generally does at midday, +it should be spread out and cleaned; sticks and thorns should be picked +out, as they are likely to lodge in the horse's throat and choke him, and +it should be well beaten with a stick to get rid of the sand and dirt. A +good plan is to fasten a net between the wooden framework of a "charpoy," +or native bedstead, lay the grass on it, and beat it there with a stick, +and it is surprising what a quantity of rubbish will fall through. An old +lawn tennis net, if the meshes are not too big, answers well for this +purpose. Grass-cutters are fond of wetting the grass to make it weigh. If +it is brought in fresh, and damped with clean water beyond the actual +loss in weight, I do not know that it does much harm; but it is +exceedingly likely that the water has been obtained from some stagnant +dirty puddle, and the bundle has been left standing for some time so that +fermentation has set in, giving it an unpleasant smell. It is therefore +best to have the bundles at once opened out and spread in the sun to dry +as soon as they are brought in, and not allow the "grass-cutters" to take +them away to their own houses. In parts of the foot hills of the Himalayas +("hurriarie," or "hurrialie") grass is obtained. It is not found in the +plains, or in the very high mountains where it is cold. It is a long +grass, running to about three feet high, and is cut with a curved sickle. +When young and green it is a capital fodder grass; but when the seed is +shed, and it gets dry, it is unfit for any other purpose than bedding, as +the stalks get very hard and brittle, and so dry that there is little or +no nourishment in it. It should not then be allowed into the stable for +any other purpose than bedding; but being much easier to collect than +"dhoob" grass, the "grass-cutters" will bring it as long as they are +allowed to, even when it resembles nothing more than a bundle of sticks. I +have frequently heard owners of horses in the hills complain of their +animals getting thin and out of condition, the cause of which on inquiry +was simply due to the bad dry hurrialie grass that was brought for them to +eat. + + +Churrie. + +This is the dried stalk of one of the shorgum tribe of plants, which is +also known as the Chinese sugar-cane. It is a summer crop cut in the +autumn. It grows to five or six feet high, and is cut and stored by the +natives as a fodder for the cattle. It would to the new-comer appear to be +a most unsuitable article of food, but is full of saccharine matter, +tasting quite sweet when chewed in the mouth, so much so that in parts a +rough sugar is extracted from it, but to look at is like a bundle of dried +reeds. Animals of all sorts are very fond of it, and I have frequently fed +my horses on it for days together in out-of-the-way places where no grass +was to be obtained. It is not used as a regular horse fodder, but it does +well for it on a pinch. + + +Bhoosa. + +In the East all grain is threshed out by the primitive process of putting +it in a circle and driving bullocks round on it, and in this process the +grain is trodden out of the ear, the straw being split and broken up by +the animals' feet into small fragments from one-eighth to two or three +inches in length, which is called "bhoosa." This is the staple food of the +working cattle, and is also used for horses. It is a most important item +of the crop, and in the rural economy of an Indian village almost as much +is thought of it as the grain itself. Wheat and barley straw makes what is +called "white bhoosa," and gram and the various pulses "missa bhoosa." +Both these can be used as horse food; in fact, on the Afghan frontier they +get nothing else, and many natives feed their animals entirely on it, +never giving them grass; but although they will eat it, and for a time +keep condition, it is not to be recommended. If it has to be used, and it +is possible to obtain any grass, they should be mixed together. A small +quantity of "bhoosa" mixed in the feed will make a greedy feeder masticate +it. "White bhoosa" looks like badly chopped straw-chaff. "Missa bhoosa" is +of a dark colour, the particles not being straight-like sticks, but bent +about, and frequently there are a quantity of the leaves of the plant +mixed with it. Care should be taken that both sorts are not mouldy, which +is very apt to be the case, as the native farmers store it in large +quantities during the winter, and when the new crop comes on, if there is +any of last year's left, it is what they try and sell. Being stacked in +the open, it is exceedingly likely to get damaged by the rain. "Bhoosa" +should have a clean, fresh smell like sweet straw, not be discoloured or +have any patches of mould about it, and be free from impurities such as +sticks, thorns, or pieces of mud or stones. + + +Bamboo Leaves (_bans_). + +In Eastern Bengal, Assam, and parts of Burma, the green leaves and young +shoots of the bamboo are used for forage. During the Chin-Lushai +Expedition in 1889-90, the animals with the force got nothing else for +nearly eight months. I had three ponies of my own that were worked +moderately hard the whole time, and they remained in good condition. The +transport mules, which were worked very hard indeed in a very trying +climate, did not fall away nearly as much as I expected. The young shoots +and leaves are cut with a sort of a billhook, called a "dah," and care +must be taken that only the young green leaves and soft tender shoots are +given, the old leaves and the edges of the dry stumps of the bamboo +cutting like a razor. I have seen some bad wounds on the lips, tongue, and +angles of the mouth from this cause. It is best to make the "syces" and +"grass-cutters" pluck the leaves off the branches altogether, and not +leave them about the stable, for fear of wounding the horses. This they +will readily do, as they use the _dbris_ for fuel. I have seen some bad +cuts and injuries in both men and animals from the edges of the split +bamboo, which are very sharp--so much so that the savage tribes on the +eastern frontier use a properly split piece of bamboo for a knife in +skinning animals; and the sap of the green bamboo appears to have a +peculiarly irritating or poisonous action, a wound caused by it festering +and suppurating in both man and beast, whereas one inflicted with a dry +bamboo will heal up healthy. Horses require a larger amount of bamboo +leaves than grass. If an animal is getting 20 lbs. of green "dhoob" grass +daily, he will require 30 lbs. of bamboo leaves to keep him in condition. +Although at first horses may refuse them, they take to them kindly after a +little while. + + +Oat Hay Forage. + +In the South African colonies grass hay is almost unknown. The oat is cut +when about half ripe, dried, and given in the straw, in which condition it +is known as forage, and is excellent feeding. It is usually sold in +bundles, wholesale at so much per hundred, and retail at hotels and +livery stables at so many bundles for a shilling. Some years ago, when I +was travelling in the Dutch part of South Africa, in the more +out-of-the-way parts of which there are no hotels, it was the custom to +ask the owner of the farmhouse where you arrived permission to +"off-saddle" if you were riding, or "out-span" if driving, for the night +or a couple of hours, as the case might be. This was a roundabout way of +asking if he could put you and your animals up for the night. When leaving +in the morning, it would have been a great breach of good manners to ask +for your bill, but you inquired what you were indebted to his head-boy for +the forage your horses had consumed--a polite way of asking for your +account; the number of bundles per shilling varying according to the time +you remained, and the accommodation you had received; but, notwithstanding +this fiction, I did not, as a rule, find the total any less than in a +regular hotel where you get your bill. + + +Hay. + +Hay, as is known in Europe and Australia, is never seen in India. In some +parts, what is called hay can be obtained; but, compared to English meadow +hay, it is at the best but poor stuff. No doubt hay of a very tolerable +quality can be made in India; in fact, I have done so, but usually the +grass is cut after the plant has flowered, the seed ripened and shed, when +it is what is known as "the sap being down," and then it is dry and with +little nourishment in it. It is generally also allowed to lie out too long +after it has been cut in a hot, powerful sun, which utterly bakes it up. +The grass should be cut when the seed is green and the sap well up in it, +and should not be allowed to remain too long drying. I have generally +found that from eight to ten hours of the Indian sun was enough, so that +grass cut in the morning should be stacked at night; it will then not be +utterly dried up, and in the stack will undergo the process of +fermentation that gives the characteristic smell to English hay. There is +a certain amount of difficulty in doing this. The grass flowers and seeds +at the end of the hot weather, about September, when the monsoon rains are +on, and these sometimes last for days together. It is, therefore, +sometimes difficult to get a fine day to cut and save the hay in before +the seed is shed; and before the dry weather again sets in the sap has +gone down, and there is but little nutriment left in the grass. It is not +a bad plan to sprinkle some salt over each layer of hay as the stack is +made up; horses eat this cured hay with great relish. In making up the +stack, a bundle or two of straw, put on end from the bottom upwards, +should be built into the centre of it as it is being raised up, to act as +a chimney or ventilator to carry off the heat while the stack is +fermenting. If this is not done, there is danger of its catching fire; and +even if it should not heat to such a degree, part is likely to get +discoloured--what is termed "mow-burned." This chimney can be made with +bundles of sticks, boards, or even stones; but sick horses will often eat +the straw from the centre of a haystack when they won't look at anything +else, and it sometimes comes in useful, and in any event, is not wasted. +The stack should be built on a foundation of brambles, stones, or a mud +platform--the latter being the best--to raise it and protect it from +damage by the rains, which at times come in a regular flood, and also to +keep out rats, mice, and other vermin. When the stack gets down to the +bottom, care should be exercised in handling it, as it is a great refuge +for snakes, and I have seen one fatal accident from snake bite from this +cause. It, then, is a good plan to make the men remove the hay in small +quantities at a time with a hay-fork, which is easily made by fastening a +couple of short sticks converging from each other on to a long bamboo; +but natives are such fatalists that, no matter how much warned of the +danger they are incurring, they will not take the commonest precautions as +to their safety if it gives them a little extra trouble. A somewhat larger +quantity of dry grass is required than green "dhoob" by weight, the +proportion being about 15 to 20 lbs. respectively. + + +Green Food (_khawid_, or _khasil_). + +In the spring of the year in India it is common to give horses green +wheat, oats, or barley. This is cut in the straw from the time it is about +a foot high until the grain begins to ripen, a period that lasts about a +month or six weeks in the Punjab--from the middle of February till the end +of March. This green food is called by the natives "khawid," or "khasil." +It has an excellent effect on the system, and is what is used by the +native dealers to get their horses into condition for sale. Too large a +quantity should not be given at first, as it is likely to cause +diarrhoea; about 4 lbs. daily being sufficient at first, but it may be +increased up to double this amount if it agrees with the animal. Care +should be taken that the green food is only given when young and the straw +tender, for when it gets ripe, and the straw woody and hard, it is very +indigestible, and a common cause of intestinal obstruction and colic. In +some parts green barley is given in the same manner, and when it is young +it is as good as wheat or oats; but when it begins to ripen it should be +stopped, as the awns or beards begin to get hard, and not only are they +likely to choke the horse, but to cause dangerous intestinal obstruction. +Oats can be given much longer than barley or wheat; in fact, as I have +said, ripe oats are cut in the straw, and used as hay in many parts of the +world. The green crop must be purchased standing from a cultivator, and +this is best arranged through your head "syce." It is sold by measurement, +a patch in the field being marked out; or else the grass-cutters go and +cut as much as is required daily, the whole amount used being afterwards +measured up and paid for at the fixed bazaar rate, or, as it is termed, +the "nirrick." + + +Green Gram. + +Natives are very fond of giving horses green gram, but it is a most +dangerous custom. It is most indigestible, the stalk when green being full +of a strong tough fibre. The sap and leaves have a peculiar irritating or +almost corrosive property, and in the spring of the year many fatal cases +of intestinal disease are caused by it. + + +Carrots (_gajar_). + +Carrots are plentiful all over Northern India. They come on in the spring, +and are an excellent green food. They can be bought very cheaply, and if +kept in a cool, dry place, can be stored for a considerable time; but they +require to be turned almost daily, or they will get rotten. When used they +should either be washed to remove the earth, or, as in the East this is +quite dry, knocked with a stick to remove it. They should be given whole, +or else cut into long slices, not across into lumps. This latter practice +is dangerous, as horses are thus inclined to bolt them whole, and the +short round lump is likely to stick in the throat and cause choking. + + +Lucerne. + +Lucerne grows well all over Northern India, and although not cultivated by +the natives for their own use, they know perfectly well what it is, and +call it by the English name. In most of the towns where there are any +Europeans collected together, it is usual to grow it in the Government or +station garden, from where it can be purchased retail. Some native corps, +who remain some time in the one place, also grow it for the benefit of the +regiment, and sometimes it is possible to obtain some from them; but as a +rule they only have enough for their own use. Round the large military +cantonments in some places, the neighbouring farmers, finding that there +is a demand for it, have taken to growing it for sale, and it can be +bought in the bazaar; but as the supply is not certain, it is better to +enter into a contract with one of the growers to supply the quantity by +weight daily required. In making this bargain it is best to use the agency +of the head "syce," as if it falls short, or is not forthcoming, he can be +made responsible; and natives being erratic creatures, it is quite +possible that some morning you may be told that there is no more, or that +the grower has sold his crop to some one else, perhaps at even a smaller +price than you are giving. Whenever there is a well in the compound, and I +have been long enough in one place, I have always grown as much as I could +for myself. It is easily done, and there is no more useful crop in +connection with an Indian stable. In the dry, hot weather the difference +in the condition of horses that are getting a fairly liberal supply of +green food, and those that are only getting the burned-up grass that is +then procurable, is most marked. The only difficulty about growing lucerne +is that at first a large supply of water is necessary until the roots +strike. If you have a garden, then, of course, you have to keep a pair of +bullocks to raise water from the well for irrigation purposes; but if you +do not run to this luxury, then a pair of bullocks can be hired for two or +three days in the week. The landlord of the house has to keep the well and +the Persian wheel, by which the water is raised, in order, and find the +first pair of ropes for it. The tenant has to find the earthen pots, or +"chatties," that are fastened on to it, by which the water is raised up. +These "chatties" are cheap things enough, but they are easily broken. I +always found that the best plan was to provide the first lot myself, and +then give a small sum monthly to the gardener to keep them going; and it +saved money in the end, as I found that not nearly so many were smashed +under this system as when I paid for what were required. If a gardener is +regularly employed, it is, of course, part of his business to look after +the lucerne bed; but for an ordinary stable of, say, four or five animals, +an acre of lucerne will be ample, and a man exclusively for this is not +necessary. A gardener can be got for about Rs. 10 a month, but a man can +be got to come two or three times a week and look after it for half this. +I found, however, that if I gave it to one of the syces, that the women +and children of his family would attend to it, as, when once started, it +only requires weeding, and that the work was better done than by a +professional gardener, unless one was regularly employed. The best seed is +the acclimatized English, or the Cabul brought down from Afghanistan. The +English seed can be obtained from any seedsman, or the Government +Horticultural Gardens at Lahore or Saharunpore, at about a rupee a pound, +and this is enough to sow about an acre with, which should be done at the +end of the cold weather. If only a small quantity is grown, it is best to +sow it on ridges, as it then, no doubt, can be kept free from weeds, and +the cost of weeding, on an acre or two, is but trifling; but it is an +error to suppose that lucerne cannot be sown broadcast. At the cattle farm +at Hissar, in the Punjab, several hundred acres were grown in this way, as +the cost of making ridges on such a large quantity of land would have been +prohibitive. Of course, this lucerne was not so clean as if it had been +grown on ridges, but the cattle picked it out from the weeds when it was +put before them. Fresh seed will have to be sown about every three years, +and the crop may be cut about five or six times during the season. About 4 +lbs. is enough for a horse, but it is best to begin with half this +quantity and gradually increase it, as if too large an amount is given at +once it is likely to cause colic. + + +Guinea Grass. + +Some years ago this was a very favourite grass forage to grow for horses, +but lately lucerne has supplanted it, and, I think, rightly. The advantage +of guinea grass is that it lasts through the hottest months of the year, +which lucerne does not, but it requires a great deal of water. It grows in +separate tufts, and they should be planted some distance apart, or +otherwise they will crowd each other out. + + +Sugar Cane (_gunna_). + +Sugar cane is not often used as an actual food, but horses are very fond +of it, and on my visits to the stable I usually had some pieces carried +after me in a basket when it was in season. It ripens at the end of the +summer, and lasts into the winter. It is sold in long sticks, and should +be chopped up into pieces; but the servants will steal it, as they eat it +themselves as a sweetmeat. + + +Turnips (_shalgham_). + +The ordinary white turnip grows all over the Punjab in the winter, and +when carrots are not to be procured, I have used them in their place, +preparing them in the same manner. Horses soon learn to eat and relish +them. + + +Salt (_nimmuk_). + +Salt is required by all animals in a certain quantity in their food to +keep them in health. There are three different varieties sold in the +native shops. Rock salt ("putter ke nimmuk"); ordinary salt, which is +merely the rock salt crushed and powdered; and black salt ("kali nimmuk"). +On the coast sea salt can also be obtained, but it is not to be found far +inland. The common custom in India is to give powdered salt in the food, +the usual daily allowance being about an ounce. I prefer to leave a lump +of rock salt in the manger for the horse to lick when he likes. Some +owners have a lump of it hung by a string to the wall, but I do not think +this is advisable, as I have known more than one horse turn a wind-sucker +from getting into the habit of licking and playing with it. + + +Tonics. + +It is a common supposition, deeply rooted in the minds of horsemen, that, +when a horse loses condition, he at once requires a tonic; and an immense +number of these and "condition powders" are advertised. There is no better +paying speculation in the world than the sale of these articles, as the +majority of them consist of a few cheap and simple ingredients, that are +retailed to the public at a hundred per cent. their original cost; and the +best that can be said about these nostrums is that some of them are +innocent and do no harm, while they serve to amuse the owner. The action +of a tonic is to stimulate the appetite, and if the horse is feeding well +they are certainly useless, if not actually harmful. If the horse feeds, +and continues to fall off in condition, the chances are that there is +something wrong in the stable management, which should be carefully +inquired into. If this only occurs once with one animal, the inference is +that medical advice is required, but if several are in the same state, or +it is a matter of constant occurrence, then in most cases a change of +"syce" is required, and it will be usually found better and cheaper than +having recourse to any of these various advertised "cure-alls." + + +Horses not Feeding. + +Horses refuse their food from a variety of causes. It is usually the first +symptom noticed in the majority of attacks of illness, and I cannot too +strongly urge that in such cases the sooner professional advice is +obtained the better, there being nothing in which the old proverb, "a +stitch in time saves nine," more applies to. On the other hand, horse +owners are inclined to get very anxious without cause about horses not +feeding, and to imagine that because he refuses to feed, or does not +finish it up with a good appetite, that the animal is in a dangerous +state. Horses are much like ourselves, and we all know that we sometimes +do not feel inclined to do justice to a "square" meal, and that if we dine +off a plate of soup we feel ready for a good breakfast in the morning. If +the horse refuses his feed, or only plays about with it, have it at once +removed; at the next only give him a little hay or grass, and the +probabilities are that at the next he will eat up his grain with a hearty +appetite. If he does not, then the sooner professional advice is called in +the better, as you may be certain that something is wrong. + + +Damaged Food. + +Damaged, mouldy, or sour food, the horse, of course, will not eat unless +he is very hungry, and then only sufficient to stay his appetite. Damaged +grain there is no excuse for, and can only be given through carelessness +or indifference on the part of the owner or his servants. Sour food, or +food that has fermented, is, with the best intentions, likely to be placed +before the animal, as it is surprising how soon fermentation will set up +in damp grain in a hot climate. The food should not be damped more than +twenty minutes or half an hour at the most before it is given, and a dirty +bucket will easily contaminate it. In the hot weather in India, +particularly during the rains, when both man and beast are down below par, +very little will put both off their feed. If the food, however, is at all +sour it ought to be at once detected, as the smell is unmistakable. + + +Irregular Teeth. + +In old horses the back teeth get irregular and worn in such a fashion that +the food cannot be masticated and crushed, and is not then properly +digested. The upper jaw of the horse is wider than the lower one, so that +the upper teeth overlap the lower ones at the outside, and the lower ones +the upper at the inside. By continually wearing, the upper back teeth get +worn down more on the inside than the outside, and the lower ones more on +the outside than the inside, or, in other words, the grinding surface of +the teeth, instead of being horizontal, is at an angle or slope. The horse +masticates his food with a sideways motion of the jaws, crushing the food +between the back teeth like mill-stones, so that if the grinding surfaces +of the teeth are not level, but sloped at an angle, they become locked, +and prevent sufficient sideways play of the jaws. If this is suspected, +the back teeth can be easily inspected by turning the horse with his tail +to the sun, grasping the tongue with the left hand and opening the mouth, +while the light is reflected into it by a small looking-glass held in the +right. They can also be felt by putting one's hand on the outside of the +cheek, where the outer edge of the upper teeth can be easily felt, and +pushing the finger inwards and upwards, so as to get on the grinding +surface when the horse opens his mouth, and the angle they are at can be +at once detected through the cheek. This is, of course, only a rough +method of examination, but it gives one a fair idea of the state the +molars are in. If a tooth is broken or deficient, the corresponding one +in the other jaw from not being worn down will become over-grown and fill +up the vacant space, even growing so long as to damage the gum or bone in +the jaw above or below it, as the case may be, and preventing the horse +feeding. If it is one of the front molars, it is possible that the growth +may be detected from outside, but the probabilities are that a more +careful examination will be necessary, and, at all events, professional +skill required to set matters right. Horses also suffer from decayed +teeth; and, in fact, the whole matter of equine dentistry is much more +important than is usually supposed, many animals remaining poor and thin +simply because their teeth are not properly attended to. + + +Young Horses Cutting Teeth. + +Young horses sometimes have great trouble when cutting their teeth, and if +they go off their feed they should be attended to; but this requires +professional skill. + + +Quidding. + +When young horses begin to what is called "quid" their food, it is almost +a certain indication that there is something wrong with the mouth. +"Quidding" is gathering up a mouthful of hay or grass, rolling it about +in the mouth, and half masticating it till it gets into a lump or ball, +and then spitting it out without swallowing it. Sometimes a dozen or more +of these "quids" will be found in the manger or on the stable floor. + + +Indigestion (_bud hazmie_). + +Indigestion, or dyspepsia, which horses suffer from more commonly than the +public imagine, will put them off their feed; but this is a matter for +professional advice and treatment, and it is exceedingly dangerous for the +owner to go trying domestic remedies. I have had many fatal cases of bowel +diseases brought to me that have arisen solely from this cause. + + +Lampas. + +This is a disorder that is firmly fixed in every groom's mind, both +European and native, and is supposed to consist of a swelling or +inflammation of the palate, or "barbs," just behind the upper incisor +teeth. I do not deny for a moment the existence of such a thing, but what +I do maintain is that in 75 per cent. of the cases brought to one, it +exists only in the imagination of the attendant. The popular remedy some +years ago was to cauterize the part with a hot iron, and I have no +hesitation in saying that any one doing this should be indicted for +cruelty to animals. Lately, the popular treatment has been more merciful +in having the part scarified with a lancet, but even this is useless. +Where lampas does exist, there is more or less enlargement and swelling of +the membrane of the entire alimentary canal, but the "barbs" of the mouth +being the only part visible, it is popularly supposed to be a local +affection. Under these conditions, it will be readily understood how +utterly useless lancing or scarifying one small part of the affected canal +will be. A small dose of aperient medicine, or even putting the horse on a +laxative diet of bran mash for a few days, will do all that is required, +without having recourse to heroic measures. + + +Nose-bags (_tobra_). + +Nose-bags are sadly neglected by "syces," and unless looked after by the +owner, they never dream of cleaning them, so that, particularly with +leather ones, they get into a very filthy condition, and frequently horses +refuse to eat out of such dirty things. Both mangers and nose-bags should +frequently be washed and scrubbed out with soap, or sand and water. +Nose-bags are, at the best, a necessary evil, and if they have to be used +at all, canvas ones are better than leather, being more easily cleaned. I +only allowed nose-bags to be used when on the march, or out in camp; when +in the stable the horses were fed out of an ordinary bucket, or else a +manger, and even then they were not fastened on the head, but held on the +ground. + + +Mangers (_kurlie_). + +In the stable a manger should be used. In an Indian stable one is easily +made out of a shallow, wide-mouthed earthen vessel ("gumalo"), built up +with mud, about three feet high, in the corner. The "syces" can do this +themselves, and the gumalo only costs a few pence in the bazaar. I always +had two built in opposite corners, one for food and the other for water. +If for any reason the manger cannot be built, or there is not one in the +stable, then the horse should be fed out of a tin or zinc bucket, or else +off a feeding-sheet. An old gunney-bag, spread out opened at the seams, +answers admirably. The "syce" should hold the bucket or sheet while he is +feeding, or the horse is very likely to knock the first over, or tear the +sheet, by pawing at it with his fore feet. + + +Worms (_kirim_). + +Parasites, or worms, in the intestines cause horses to lose condition very +quickly. The most common are long white ones, like ordinary earthworms, +about five to eight inches long; and small, very thin thread-like ones, +about three inches long. They cause the horse to become very unthrifty and +thin, the coat being dull, without the natural gloss that is seen in +health, or as it is termed, "hide-bound." The horse is also apt to back up +against any projection, or into a corner, and rub his tail against the +wall, breaking off the hair, and giving it an unsightly appearance. If +worms are suspected, the "syce" should be instructed to look for them in +the horse's droppings in the morning, where the long ones are most likely +to be found; also to examine under his dock, where the small ones will +leave a yellowish incrustation under the root of the tail. An enema of +common salt and water, made by dissolving about a table-spoonful of salt +in a quart of luke-warm water, generally suffices to get rid of the small +ones. The large ones, however, require medical treatment, which should be +left in professional hands. If there are any worms passed, the litter, +droppings, etc., should be carefully burned, and the floor of the stable +scraped and the _dbris_ burned, and a new floor laid down. + + +Rubbing the Tail. + +Although commonly due to parasites in the intestines, "particularly the +small thread-worms," with some horses it is a trick; neglect also, and the +irritation caused by dirt, will often cause it. In India it is more often +seen in coarse-bred horses, such as many Australians are, than in +country-breds and Arabs. If it is from dirt, washing the tail well with +soap and water will stop it; if it is a trick, keeping the tail in a +tail-case, which is merely a piece of leather, with buckles and straps to +fasten it on with; or an ordinary roller bandage put round from the tip to +the root will generally stop it. + + +Scouring (_dast_). + +Scouring, or diarrhoea, is usually seen in nervous horses when they get +excited, and, as a rule, disappears when they get quiet again. It is more +commonly seen in light-coloured, or what the horseman calls "washey," +chestnuts and blacks, than any other colour. Some horses will always scour +after a draught of cold water, and with such the chill should be taken off +either by adding a little warm water, or standing the bucket out in the +sun for a couple of hours before it is used. If the scouring persists, +after returning to the stable, let the next feed consist of dry bran, not +"bran mash," and this generally stops it. If a horse that is not in the +habit of doing so suddenly begins scouring, it is a mistake to try and +stop it too suddenly, as frequently it is an effort of nature to throw off +something deleterious to the system. If, however, the diarrhoea should +continue persistent, then professional advice should be obtained. + + + + +WATER. + + +Water (_pani_). + +Horses prefer soft to hard water, and are particularly partial to +rain-water. Many horses refuse to drink at all from a running stream, +unless very thirsty, and even then will not take as much as is necessary. +Mules, which in other respects are hardy animals, are very dainty and +particular about their water. Such horses should be watered either out of +a bucket or a still pool. In mountain and quick running streams there is +often a large quantity of sand and small gravel held in suspension, that +sinks to the bottom in places where the current runs slow. I have seen +more than one death caused by constantly watering horses in such streams, +by the animal swallowing a quantity of such sand; it accumulates in large +masses in the intestines, and causes "sand colic." If it is necessary to +water horses from such places for any length of time, if a suitable pool +cannot be found where the water is still and the sand and gravel can +settle, one should be made by building a dam. + + +Times of Watering. + +Horses should be watered half an hour before feeding, or, if this cannot +be managed, at least two hours should elapse after the feed before he is +allowed to drink his fill. The reason of this is that the hard grain the +horse eats is only partly crushed and broken by the teeth, and it is in +the stomach where it is principally softened before passing on into the +intestines. If, when the stomach is full of partly digested food, a large +quantity of water is given, some of it will be washed into the intestine, +and, being hard, and not properly softened, irritate it and set up colic. +The best plan is to always have water in front of the horse, so that he +can drink when he likes, and I have found that they take much less this +way than when watered at regular times. In India this can be easily done +by building up in mud a wide-mouthed, shallow, earthen vessel, called a +"gumalo," in one corner of the stable, in the same way that a manger is +made. It should be high enough for the horse to conveniently reach it, and +be kept constantly full. + + +Watering Troughs. + +When horses are watered at a trough or stream, as is necessarily the case +with military animals, if they are thirsty they push their noses deep into +it and drink greedily. They then lift their heads and look round them, and +many persons think they have finished. This is not the case, as the horse +is merely recovering his breath after his draught, and he should not be +taken away until he either turns round and will drink no more, or until he +begins to splash the water about with his nose and play with it, which +shows he does not want any more. + + +Watering on a Journey. + +It is commonly supposed that when on a journey horses should not be +watered, but, in a warm climate, as long as only a steady pace is +maintained and only a moderate quantity given, it does not do any harm, +and, to judge from one's own experiences, certainly is refreshing. Of +course, this must be done in moderation, like everything; and it +undoubtedly would be dangerous to allow a horse to drink his fill and then +give him a hard gallop directly afterwards; but, in both the South African +and Australian colonies, I have travelled some hundreds of miles in +post-carts and coaches, and the drivers at pretty nearly every stream they +cross pull up and allow the horses to drink a few mouthfuls. I have never +heard of any harm coming from this practice, and at the end of the journey +they drink far less water than if they had been deprived of it while at +work. In Norway, the carriole drivers water their ponies in the same way, +and it is icy-cold coming from the glaciers. + + +Watering after a Journey. + +When the journey is completed, it is advisable to walk the horse about for +a short time, to allow him to get cool before watering; or, better still, +and what every practical horseman will do, is to pull up and allow him to +walk the last mile, so that he arrives at his stable fairly cool, and not +reeking with perspiration. Grooming also will be greatly facilitated by +this. + + +Watering Bridles (_kazai_). + +Watering bridles are generally very much neglected, "syces" (grooms) never +seeming to think that they require any care or attention. They are +generally a mass of rust and dirt, and having one of these filthy things +put into the mouth, is a much more common cause of horses going off their +feed than is generally supposed. They are frequently thrown out on the +heap of bedding, and left in the sun all day, and when put into the +horse's mouth the iron of the bit is burning hot. I consider that this is +one of the chief reasons of the sores that so frequently form at the +angles of the mouth in the summer months, and which are most troublesome +to cure. The bit of the watering bridle should be scrubbed daily with sand +until it is polished, and the leather-work cleaned with soap (sabon) or +dubbing (momrogan); if this is not done, it very soon perishes with the +heat and becomes rotten, and if a horse is at all fresh and plays about, +it breaks, the animal gets loose, and a serious accident is the result of +the want of a little forethought. + + +Leeches (_jonk_). + +In India leeches frequently get into the nose while the horse is drinking, +especially out of ponds and streams, and although they are not absolutely +dangerous, they cause troublesome bleeding, and make the animal cough and +sneeze. They are sometimes very difficult to get rid off, and the best +plan is to place some water in a bucket before the horse and splash it +about. The leech is attracted by this, and comes down the nostril, when +it can be caught if the operator is quick enough. A handkerchief is +necessary, as the leech is too slippery to hold in the fingers. It is +generally best to let one of the "syces" do this, promising him a small +reward when the nuisance is got rid of, as some of them are wonderfully +expert at it, and have untiring patience. + + +Wells. + +In some Indian towns there is a water supply laid on to the houses by +pipes, but in the majority it is obtained from a well (khua) in the +compound. In these cases a water-carrier ("bheestie") has to be kept to +draw and carry water for the household and stables, which he brings in a +leather bag; "mussuk," the small leather bucket that he uses to fill the +bag with, being called a "dholl." These water-bags should be renewed twice +a year, as they get very foul inside if kept much longer, and they are +only worth about Rs. 2 each. Very few people ever think of cleaning out +the well, but it should be done at least once a year, as it is surprising +the amount of rubbish, such as dead leaves and vegetation, gets into it. +The landlord of the house should undertake this, but it is generally +difficult to get him to do it without the tenant threatening to do it +himself and deduct the cost out of the rent. There are professional +well-cleaners in Northern India, who will do the work by contract. As a +rule, it takes about three days, as the well has to be pumped dry by +working the lifting wheel with relays of bullocks day and night, when a +man goes down and removes the accumulation of rubbish from the bottom. +Care should be taken to first lower down a lighted candle, or throw a +bundle of lighted straw down before any one is allowed to descend, as +there is frequently an accumulation of foul gas at the bottom, and I have +known more than one accident from neglect of this precaution. Unless I had +very good reason for knowing that the well had been lately cleaned, I +always had this done on going into a new house. If this is neglected, the +water during the rainy season is apt to get very foul, and I have known +severe outbreaks of illness from this cause both in men and animals. + + + + +AIR AND VENTILATION. + + +Stables. + +Nothing is worse for horses than close, ill-ventilated stables, and in +India, where they are made out of such cheap material as mud and sun-dried +brick, there is no excuse for their being too small. In some of the newer +houses, stables are made out of burned brick; but I prefer the older ones +of mud or sun-dried brick, as the walls are generally thicker, and this +makes them cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It is also of +importance that they should not be too low, but of the two evils I should +prefer a small stable with a lofty roof to a larger one with a low one, +provided there was ventilation in the top. Every stable should have a good +deep verandah round it; it not only keeps off the sun in the summer, but +is useful to put bedding, etc., in during the rain. If there is no +verandah, one can be easily made with the flat straw screens used by +natives, called "jamps," and bamboo supports. The doorways should be high +and wide, so that there is no danger of the horse hitting his hips or head +against it in going in and out. A fractured hip-bone is frequently caused +by horses rushing through narrow doorways, and a troublesome disease known +as "poll evil" is generally caused by striking the head against too low a +one. It is also well to have the sides of the door-posts rounded off, not +left at an angle. If there is no window at the back of the stable, +opposite the door, one should be made above the horse's head, and another +smaller one on a level with the floor, so as to allow the air to circulate +freely. If possible, avoid a draught, but always remember that it is +better to have plenty of fresh air and a draught than a stuffy stable +without one, as the horse can always be kept warm with extra clothing, +bandages, and bedding. Thatched roofs are much cooler in summer and warmer +in winter than the flat earthen ones that are generally used in Northern +India. Indian stables are almost always divided off into loose boxes, the +partition walls being continued up to the roof. I think they should be +only built high enough to prevent the horses teasing each other over them, +as if continued right up they interfere with the free circulation of the +air. If this cannot be done, on account of the partitions helping to +support the roof, a window should be knocked through in each. In South +Africa stables are usually simply a long shed with a manger running down +the back wall, without any partitions between the standings, and the +horses are simply tied up to a ring in the manger with the head rope. Cape +horses are, however, exceedingly quiet, and will stand still all day long. +They never seem to think of kicking or biting at each other like the +Indian country-bred does. + + +Chicks. + +The plague of flies in the East, particularly during the rains, cannot be +realized in England, and if not protected against them, they will almost +worry horses to death. For this reason the doors and windows of the stable +should be fitted with "chicks," or mats, made out of split bamboos or +reeds, with interspaces between them, which allow of light and air passing +through, but which will keep the flies out. They are not very costly +articles, and add most materially to the comfort of the horse. If +carefully looked after, and not let flap about in the wind, they will last +for years with a very small annual expenditure for repairs. + + +Stable Floors. + +The stable floor should be made of wet clay beaten down, and left to +thoroughly dry. This can be carried out by the "syces," and if thoroughly +done, they will last a good many months. I always make it a practice to +dig up the floors of stables in a new house, before they are occupied, a +foot and a half deep, and thoroughly renew it, and usually it is +astounding the amount of foul earth that has to be removed. I also have +the whole of the floor picked up and renewed once a year--for choice, at +the end of September or beginning of October, after the rains have +stopped. Any moisture should be at once removed, before it has time to +soak into the floor; or, if it has, the moist earth should be swept away +with a broom (jaru), made out of a number of pliable twigs tied together, +and fresh dry earth sprinkled over the top of it. A supply of dry powdered +earth should be kept outside each stable door in a box ready for use when +required. The ordinary earth that is in the compound will not do to make +floors out of, although "syces" will use it if allowed, as it is less +trouble to get than clay (kicher ke muttee), but it will not bind, and +when trodden on breaks up and wears into dust. + + +Charcoal (_khoalie_). + +Although it looks dirty, powdered charcoal sprinkled over the floor has a +powerful effect as a deodorizer. The ashes of a wood fire do nearly as +well as charcoal for this purpose, and can be obtained anywhere, as wood +is universally used for fuel all over India. In some stables earthenware +vessels (chatties) are buried under the floor to catch the urine. This is +an abominable, filthy custom, and should never be permitted, as there is +no more certain cause of disease. Diseases of the feet, such as foul +smelling, suppurating frogs, thrush, and canker, are in the majority of +cases caused by horses standing on wet, filthy floors. + + +Picketing. + +In the hot season horses should, if possible, be picketed out at night as +soon as it gets cool in the evening. It is the greatest relief to an +animal to be brought out of a hot stable into the open air, even if the +actual temperature is no less than indoors. If the flies or mosquitos are +troublesome, the nets sold for the purpose will keep them off. If the net +is not sufficient, a fire made out of the stable litter on the windward +side will drive them away, and horses do not mind smoke. It is as well to +have a regular standing made with mud, in the same way as the stable +flooring, as otherwise the ground soon gets broken up and foul. The +standing should be swept clean every morning, and mended in the same way +as the stable floors are. + + +Bedding (_bechalie_). + +There is nothing better than clean straw for bedding, and it is a great +mistake to stint horses in it. If a good deep bed is given, they will lie +down and rest themselves, whereas, if there is not enough, and the floor +feels hard through it, they will walk about over it, and far more will be +wasted than if the horse was lying down on it. The bedding should be taken +up every morning, and any soiled straw removed. It should be well shaken +up and spread out in the sun to dry and air, and at night, when again put +down for use, a small quantity of fresh straw added to it. In wet weather +the bedding can be aired and dried in the verandah. All soiled straw and +droppings should be at once removed in a basket (tokrie), which should be +provided for the purpose; and it is wonderful, if this plan is adopted, +how little fresh straw is required to keep the horse constantly supplied +with a good bed; and nothing is more saving to the wear and tear of the +legs and feet than to get the animal to lie down at night. In Australia +and South Africa wheat or oat straw can be obtained, but in India rice +straw is generally used, or else the long elephant grass that grows on the +banks of rivers and swampy places. Both are good enough for the purpose, +only they are brittle, and more is required than when wheat straw is used, +as they quickly break up. + + +Sawdust (_burradah_). + +In the north of India the deodar, or Himalayan cedar sawdust, can always +be obtained from any of the timber depts on the banks of the large +rivers, almost for the expense of carting it away. It makes a good bed if +straw cannot be obtained, but is liable to stick to the horse and get in +under his coat if at all long, and gives much more work grooming. It is +also more troublesome to remove in the morning to air, and if any wind is +blowing a good deal gets wasted. If used, it is best to have it spread out +in one stall and leave it there, only using it at night, putting the horse +into another during the daytime. Any sawdust that gets damp or soiled +should be at once removed, as it very soon begins to smell badly. + + +Shavings. + +Shavings of deodar or pine can also be obtained, but they require to be +carefully sorted out, as there are likely to be splinters in them, and in +lying down the horse may give himself a bad wound. + + +Sand (_ret_). + +Sand can be obtained anywhere along the banks of the rivers; but it is +hard, and does not form a very yielding bed, and I should not use it if +anything else could be got. It requires to be sifted, to get rid of the +pebbles and stones it contains. If straw is scarce and sand has to be +used, the best plan is to put a layer of about a foot of sand over the +floor, and a thin layer of straw over it; this will make a much softer bed +than the sand alone. + + +Horses eating Bedding. + +This is a trick some horses have, and from which they seldom can be cured. +It is generally the custom to put a muzzle (chik-na) on them at night; but +this, of course, stops their feeding at all. I prefer to bed them down +with sand, sawdust, or shavings, and leave them free to feed at night. If +a muzzle is used, it should be a wire one, not leather, as these get very +foul and dirty, and interfere with the horse's breathing, which the wire +one does not. + + +Exercise. + +In India it is usual to exercise ordinary hacks, polo ponies, and harness +horses, not doing any special work, twice a day--morning and evening. The +length of time they are out, and the amount of ground they cover, is very +variable--in most cases depending on whether the "syce" is in a mood to +take exercise or not himself. They usually take horses out on the road to +the bazaar, or some favourite meeting-place; and it is not an uncommon +thing to see a couple of dozen horses, belonging to various people, +standing about, while their respective "syces" are sitting about, smoking +and discussing their masters and various bazaar topics of interest. Under +these circumstances the horses do not get much exercise; and many a +mysterious injury, that cannot be accounted for, is inflicted by their +kicking at each other while standing about in this manner. If the compound +is large enough, it is a good plan to make a ring with the stable litter +and have the horses exercised round it. You can then be certain they are +getting a fair amount of work; but a large ring is necessary, and if there +is a garden it spoils the compound. Furthermore, horses get into a very +careless, slovenly way of walking when led round and round in this +monotonous fashion daily. "Syces" generally lead horses at exercise, and +most horse-owners will not allow them to ride; but I think this is a +mistake, and if they can ride, I always allow them to do so. If they lead +the horse, he will go along in a listless fashion, and walk with his head +down, stumbling at every step; whereas, if he is ridden, he will carry his +head up and go in a much more lively and collected fashion, and it being +much pleasanter for the "syce" to ride than walk, the full amount of +exercise is more likely to be taken. "Syces" nearly always ride at +exercise bare-backed; but they should be made use a folded blanket as a +pad, kept in its place by a body-roller, as the anatomy of the native of +India is such that, without any protection, he is likely to give the horse +a sore back. They should also only be let use a snaffle bridle, as few +know how to handle a double one. When at exercise knee-caps should be +worn. These should be bought from a European saddler, and care be taken +that the top strap is fitted with a piece of indiarubber in the middle, +to allow of its giving with the motion of the limb. If there is not this +indiarubber spring, when the top strap is buckled tight enough to prevent +the cap slipping down, the motion will cause it to rub the skin at the +back of the knee; and I have seen some bad abrasions, that caused +temporary lameness, from this cause. If the top strap is buckled loose +enough to avoid this chafing, then the knee-cap won't stay up in its +proper place, if it has no spring. The country-made knee-caps sold by the +native saddlers seldom are fitted with it; and if they are they cannot be +relied on, as generally the indiarubber is bad and perished. The lower +strap of the knee-cap should be buckled quite loose, it being only +required to keep it down and prevent it flapping about; but "syces" are +very apt to draw it tight also, and if they do, it is pretty certain to +cut the skin. + + + + +GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, Etc. + + +Heel Ropes (_pecharie_). + +If possible, horses should be left loose, which generally can be done in +India, as most of the stables are loose boxes. Sometimes it is necessary +to fasten them up, such as when picketed out at night in the hot weather +or on the march. There are several plans of picketing, each having its +advantages and disadvantages; but as these generally apply to military +animals, I will merely mention those commonly used in private stables. The +most common plan is to fasten the horse up with head and heel ropes, to +wooden pegs driven into the ground. Heel ropes (pecharie) consist of +either two ropes about twelve feet long, ending in a single one, so as to +be Y-shaped, the single one being fastened to a wooden peg (make) driven +into the ground, and the two arms to the horse's hind fetlocks by means of +leather straps, called "muzzumas." These straps are loops of rope covered +with leather, to one end of which the heel rope is tied, and into which +the hind foot is slipped, being secured by a flat leather thong wound +round the middle of it behind the fetlock joint to prevent its slipping +off. The strap is then of a fig. 8, or hour-glass shape, the heel rope +being tied in one loop, the foot placed in the other, the thong forming +the neck or constriction. These, I think, are the best form of leather +foot strap; but in buying them care should be taken that the stitching of +the leather is on the outside, as if it is on the inside, where natives +often put it, it is very likely to rub the skin and cause a bad cracked +heel. Another form of "muzzuma" is made out of stiff flat leather lined +with felt. This has a slip loop going round it, with a buckle on one side +and a strap on the other, that runs along the centre. The heel rope is +tied to one end, the foot put into the other, and when the strap is +buckled tightly, the running loop is drawn close up to the heel, so as to +keep the whole arrangement in its place. This form of "muzzuma" is the +usual kind sold; but it is objectionable, as the edges get stiff and hard, +and are likely to cut the heel, which the round ones do not. Both sorts of +leather "muzzumas" require to be kept soft and pliable with dubbing +(momrogan), which "syces" never think necessary. I, however, prefer those +made out of plaited hemp or tow. They are merely a band of loosely plaited +tow, about eighteen inches long, the heel rope being fastened to one end, +and secured by a string or tape just behind the fetlock; they are much +softer than the leather ones, and quite as strong. The disadvantage, +however, is that they soon wear out, but they are very cheap; in fact, the +"syces" can make them themselves out of the raw hemp or tow (sun). They +are used by many of the native cavalry regiments in India in preference to +the leather ones. The heel ropes can be made out of one long rope doubled, +a "muzzuma" fastened to each free end, and the doubled portion to a +tent-peg. When heel ropes are used, one should be put on each hind leg; it +is dangerous to only put on one, and I have seen more than one fractured +thigh caused by this. If the heel ropes are on both hind legs, and the +horse kicks, he has to do so straight into the air, as there is equal +restraint on both; but if there is only one, the unequal check of the +single rope is likely to cause a fracture. If allowed, "syces" will always +pull the heel ropes so tight as to stretch the horse out; they should be +loose enough to allow him to stand in a natural position. + + +Head Ropes (_aghari_). + +Head ropes should be fastened to the ring on the head collar (nukta) under +the chin. There should either be two separate ropes, one end of each +fastened to the ring, or one long one doubled in the middle, the central +portion fastened to the ring, and the two ends to two wooden pegs driven +into the ground about three or four feet on each side of the horse's head. +If only a single rope is used, it must, naturally, be fastened to a peg +straight in front, and, to allow the horse to move his head up and down, +must be loose. When fastened in this way he is exceedingly likely to get +his fore leg over the rope and get hung up in it, a nasty wound in the +heel or at the back of the knee being the result, if nothing worse; +whereas, if the ropes are pegged out on each side, he can move about +freely, and it would be difficult for him to get his leg over them. Both +head and heel ropes should be made of hemp; the cotton rope used in India +for most purposes is not strong enough, and soon breaks and wears out. In +Peshawur and along the north-west frontier, a rope is made of goat hair +that is very strong, and is excellent for this purpose. It is somewhat +more expensive than ordinary rope, but with care will last a long time, +and will amply repay itself. Both head and heel ropes should be tied to +the pegs in a slipknot, so that with a single pull horses can be set free +when necessary. "Syces" will usually tie them in a jam-knot, and horses +struggling to get loose when frightened very often badly injure themselves +before they can be set free. + + +Fetlock Picketing. + +A method of picketing horses was introduced into the Indian army some +years ago, by dispensing with head ropes and using a short chain shackle +about three feet long, buckled round one of the fore fetlocks, and +fastened to a peg driven into the ground. This was chiefly done with the +object of reducing the weight carried, and with animals used for military +purposes, doubtless fulfilled the purpose, but in a private stable I fail +to see its advantages over the other plan. + + +Picketing Posts. + +When horses are picketed outside the stable, and there is space enough, +picketing posts are the most preferable method, as they allow greater +freedom than any other. A stout smooth post, about five or six inches in +diameter, is driven several feet into the ground, so that it is five or +six feet above the surface, a strong iron ring is slipped over it, and to +this the head rope is made fast; no heel ropes are used, and the horse can +move round it as he pleases. The post must be smooth, so that there is +nothing for the ring to catch in, and when put into the ground the point +should be put into the fire and charred, or covered with kerosene oil, to +keep off the white ants. It will also have to be examined occasionally to +see that it is not damaged or rotten. The only drawback to this plan is +that, if there are several horses, a considerable space is necessary, as +they must be far enough apart to prevent their kicking at each other. + + +Ringing. + +In South Africa and the colonies horses are picketed by the method known +as "ringing," the head rope of one being fastened to the head collar of +the next, and so on, till the head rope of the last is in its turn +fastened to the head collar of the first, their heads forming a ring +looking inwards. Colonial horses will stand like this for hours together; +but they are very quiet, and behave in a different way to the Indian +country-bred. I have seen the same plan used in a cavalry regiment of the +Italian army on the march near Milan. + + +Rheims. + +In South Africa head ropes are made of prepared raw hide called "rheims." +They are prepared by the Kaffir women out of raw ox hide, and are very +strong and supple, and are excellent for the purpose. + + +Knee-haltering. + +Knee-haltering is also a South African plan of securing horses when turned +out to graze. The fore leg is lifted up, so that the forearm from the +elbow to the knee is parallel to the ground. The head rope, or "rheim," is +then fastened above the knee, the head being pulled a little downwards. +The horse is then turned out to graze on the veldt, and when his head is +down feeding he can use his limbs and walk about as he likes, but as soon +as he puts up his head to trot or gallop the fore leg is pulled up, and he +has only three to go on, and can easily be caught. + + +Shackles (_bheri_). + +The natives of India use iron shackles, much like handcuffs, to fasten +with a key round both fore fetlocks of horses when turned out loose; but +they are not a desirable invention, and in young animals are very likely +to cause ringbones. But this, I think, is on account of their clumsy shape +and being constantly worn, as I believe shackles made out of round iron +that shut with a spring were used by the Canadian mounted police at one +time when turning their horses out, and they found they did not chafe and +rub so much as leather ones did. It was found that even moving through the +wet grass the steel hobbles were polished, kept bright, and required no +attention, whereas the leather ones perished and became hard, and gave +constant trouble unless carefully looked after. I have never tried this +plan myself, for I have found the Cape system of knee-haltering when +turning animals out to graze the best I have yet come across. + + +Picketing-pegs (_make_). + +Picketing-pegs should be made out of hard wood about eighteen inches to +two feet long; iron ones are dangerous. They should be driven into the +ground in a slanting direction, the point towards and the head away from +the animal, to resist the strain on it. If there are no tent-pegs, or the +ground is so soft that there is no holding for them, a hole a couple of +feet deep can be dug, and a bundle of straw or a couple of tent-pegs tied +crossways buried in it, the earth trodden down, and the rope brought out +at the surface. This will give ample holding, and may be practically +tested, for although a vertical pull will easily bring it up, the +strongest man will fail to move it if the strain is horizontal. + + +Leading-ropes (_bagh durie_). + +Leading-ropes are things that ruin half the horses' mouths in India, and I +never let such a thing into the stable. If they are used as they were +originally intended to be, that is, buckled into the ring of the snaffle +or watering bridle to lead the horse with, they do no harm; but it is +impossible to prevent "syces" from passing them over the head and then +back through both rings, so as to form a gag, and this they hang on to. I +always make them use a leading-chain, which is a leather strap with about +a foot of chain and a snap-hook at the end of it. The hook fastens into +the ring of the snaffle, and they cannot well pass the strap over the head +to turn it into a gag. It seems impossible to teach a "syce" how to lead a +horse in a watering bridle, and I find these chains the best compromise. + + +Brushes and Gear. + +The grooming utensils required in an Indian stable are very simple: a +horse-brush, curry-comb, bucket, some dusters, and a hoof-picker, being +the sum total; but only one of these last is required among five or six +horses. It is best to get English bristle brushes, they last out two of +the native fibre ones, and are very little more expensive. Good +horse-brushes are made by several firms in Cawnpore, and, of course, when +a large number are used, the saving is considerable if the country-made +article is bought, but where only a small number are required, this is a +false economy. + + +Curry-combs. + +These an Indian "syce" cannot get on without, and although he only uses it +to wear out the brush, still, after all, it does not do so very much harm; +but a bad, lazy man, if he is not prevented, will use it to scrape the +dirt off the horse with. Country-breds are generally very thin-skinned, +and feel the comb very much if scarified with it, as the "syce" is very +fond of doing; and I am positive that this practice in many cases has to +account for much of the proverbial bad temper of these animals. The +curry-comb should never be put on the horse's body at all, and in reality +it is useless. If it can be managed, it is best not to give the "syces" +such things, the only use of them being to clean the brush with, and this +can be done just as well with the palm of the left hand, and the brush +does not wear out so quickly; but it is the custom to use the comb, and it +is hard to prevent it. + + +Buckets (_balti_). + +Buckets can be bought anywhere. Zinc ones are better than tin, although +perhaps a little more expensive; one should be provided for each horse. + + +Dusters (_jharans_). + +Dusters are things that native servants of every sort seem to consume in +enormous quantities, and unless some check is put on it, the number used +at the end of the month will be astonishing. Either the old one should be +produced before another is given, or else some contract be given to them +to provide them for themselves; but the former plan is the best; if the +contract system is adopted, filthy rags will be used. They are luckily +exceedingly cheap, and are made nearly everywhere. + + +Hoof-picker (_sum khodna_). + +A hoof-picker can be made out of almost any piece of rod-iron, and one +should be hung up in every stable. One for every four or five horses is +enough. + + +Clothing (_gurdaine_). + +In Northern India, if horses are not clipped they require in the winter at +least two thick rugs, and if they are clipped an extra one, as the climate +from November to the end of February is bitterly cold. The ordinary +country clothing, made out of "mundah," and sold in the bazaars, called +"jhools," keeps horses warm and answers its purpose, and is cheap--a rug +of this material costing about Rs. 3; but I think myself that it is false +economy to get it, and that the horse-clothing made at the Muir or Elgin +mills at Cawnpore, or the Egerton mills at Dhariwal, in the Punjab, +although perhaps at first somewhat more expensive, will in the end be +found the cheapest, as with care one suit of this will last many years, +whereas the country clothing is seldom much good after a second winter's +wear. This clothing is made in all sorts of colours, and turned out in +suits, and is every bit as good as English manufactured. Country blankets +(kumbal) can also be got; and the condemned soldiers' blankets, that are +periodically sold by the military authorities, make excellent horse-rugs. +I always think it best to get regular horse-clothing shaped and pieced out +at the neck to buckle across the chest, or, at all events, to have one rug +like this, even if the rest are ordinary square blankets, as the shaped +clothing protects the front of the chest, which the square blanket will +not do. The blanket can be used in the daytime, and the rug on the top at +night, buckling across the chest, as leaving this part of the body exposed +is a fruitful source of coughs and colds. Aprons, breast-pieces, and +quarter-cords are seldom seen in India, except on race horses, and then +only as a fancy matter. + + +Hoods (_khansilla_). + +Hoods with hacks, harness horses, and polo ponies are not often required; +but if horses are sensitive to cold, particularly if they are standing out +at night, they are no doubt a great protection. They are made up of the +same material as the country "jhool," and they also can be got to match +the clothing made at any of the woollen mills. In any case it is a good +thing to have a spare hood in the stable, even if it is not habitually +used, as when a horse begins to cough if at once put on a severe cold is +often averted. + + +Body-rollers (_paities_, or _farakis_). + +Body-rollers are sold in the bazaar shops of native manufacture, but are +most flimsy, and I strongly advise that either English ones, or else those +made by any of the manufacturers of leather goods at Cawnpore, which are +nearly as good as English ones, be used, although they may at first be a +little more expensive. The common country rollers are always breaking, and +never being properly stuffed, the webbing in the centre of the two pads +presses on the ridge of the spine when the roller is buckled up. There is +no more fruitful cause of sore backs than this, especially if horses are +at all thin and standing out in the open. "Syces" have a trick of pulling +up the straps of the roller as tight as possible, and if it gets wet with +the dew or rain it shrinks up, and the tight webbing cuts and pinches the +skin over the backbone, causing a sore back. With a properly made roller +the pressure is taken on the sides of the back by the two pads, and the +webbing does not come in contact with the skin at all. In any case, if the +horses are standing out in the open at night, it is always advisable to go +round the last thing and let the roller out a hole or two. If country +rollers are used, direct pressure of the webbing on the spine can be taken +off by putting a folded up duster or a handful of straw under it. If the +back has been pinched or rubbed the roller should be left off, and the +blankets or clothing kept in their place by a couple of tapes or pieces of +string stitched to the edge of each and tied under the body. + + +Bandages (_puttie_). + +Woollen bandages on the legs greatly add to the horse's comfort when +standing out on a cold night. The ordinary ones sold in the bazaar answer +well enough, only they are generally a little too wide and not long +enough. The bandage should be put on commencing from below and finishing +under the knee or hock, and not in the reverse direction, commencing +above, as is often done. The tapes should be tied in a bow outside. What +is known as the Newmarket bandage, made out of a semi-elastic woollen +material, is an excellent one. It stretches somewhat when put on the leg, +and gives it support. They, however, are somewhat expensive--about Rs. 4 +a set--but with ordinary care will outlast several pairs of country ones. +A good bandage is made by the Muir Mills Company at Cawnpore out of the +cotton webbing called "newar"; they are very cheap and good, but are not +so warm as the cotton ones. + + +Summer Clothing. + +This is rather a superfluity, and, unless with race horses, is not usually +indulged in, for at the time it could be worn it generally is so hot that +the less the horse has on him the better. Usually one of the blankets used +in the winter is kept to throw over him when standing about, or when +walking back from work. Drill summer clothing can be obtained at any of +the woollen mills in India in a variety of patterns, or a native tailor +(durzie) will make it up in your own verandah if you give him a pattern. +At least two suits per horse are required, as it very soon gets dirty in +the warm season and requires washing. + + +Eye Fringes (_makieara_). + +Eye fringes are absolutely necessary in India, and are used in parts of +Australia to protect the eyes from the flies. They are fastened on to the +cheek strap of the head collar with a small tab and button-hole in place +of a brow band, and have a fringe of either leather or cotton cords that +hang down over the eyes halfway to the nose. I prefer the cord ones; the +fringes are always flat and in contact with the face, whereas the leather +ones are liable to curl up at the ends and allow the flies to get +underneath. The cotton ones are easier mended than the leather. + + +Fly Whisks (_chaurie_). + +I always give each "syce" a fly whisk to keep flies off the horse while at +exercise, or when he is holding him anywhere. They are very cheap, last a +long time, and if not provided, the "syce" will arm himself with a dirty +duster or rag of some sort for the purpose. I may, perhaps, be too +sensitive on this point, but to see a dirty rag flourished about an +otherwise well-turned-out animal is to me a great eyesore. + + +Cleaning Horse Clothing, and Storing it in the Summer. + +It never enters the head of a "syce" that clothing requires to be cleaned. +It should be frequently hung out in the sun and well beaten with a stick, +like a carpet is, and then well brushed on both sides with a stiff +clothes-brush. If necessary, it should be laid out flat and scrubbed with +a brush and soap and water, rinsed out with cold water, as hot will make +it shrink, and then, when dry again, beaten and brushed. The straps on +pieced rugs should have some dubbing (momrogan) now and again rubbed into +them, to prevent their getting hard and the leather perishing. Summer +clothing should be sent to the washerman (dhobie) to be washed. During the +summer months woollen clothing should be first cleaned, and then folded up +and put away, some camphor, pepper, and leaves of the "neem" tree, that +grows in every garden in Northern India, being placed between the folds to +keep off the moths. They should be folded away on the top of a box, board, +or table, or somewhere raised off the ground, to be out of the way of the +white ants, and once a week be unfolded and hung out in the sun to air for +a few hours, folded up, and stored away again. There is no occasion to +waste the spices that are with them; if they are carefully unfolded over +some newspapers, the whole can be collected and used again. + + +Numdahs. + +If used at all, felt numdahs should have a plain edge, and not be bound +with coloured tape, as they so often are; particularly the cheaper ones, +that are sold by native saddlers. I have frequently seen sore backs +caused by this tape binding, as well as the hair in white horses +discoloured by the edge. When put on, the numdah should be well pulled up +into the arch of the saddle, particularly in front. The common practice is +to put the numdah flat on the back, and then the saddle on the top of it, +so that when the weight comes on it, the numdah gets tight and is +stretched, and is a common cause of sore backs and galled withers. When +taken off the horse's back, the numdah should be spread out in the sun to +dry; it should then be beaten with a stick and brushed with a hard brush +to get the dry caked perspiration out of it, and to bring the nap of the +felt up again. If this is not done it will get as hard as a board, and +neglected numdahs are certain to give sore backs. If the saddle is +properly stuffed and fitted to the horse's back, a numdah is not required, +the only use of it being to save the lining of the saddle, and for this +purpose I prefer a leather one. + + +Grooming (_malish_). + +Grooming is an art that native grooms excel in. They have infinite +patience, and their long supple fingers are peculiarly adapted for the +work. They, furthermore, are used to it, for every Oriental is an adept +at shampooing or massage, constantly doing it to their own limbs and those +of their friends. When the horse comes in from work the bridle should be +taken off him, hung up on a peg, and a watering bridle put into his mouth, +the stirrup irons run up to the top of the leathers, and the girths +slackened. If there is a breast-plate it can be taken off, but the saddle +should not be removed till the back gets cool. According to the season of +the year, a light or warm rug should be thrown over the quarters, and the +horse walked about till he gets cool. If there is much mud sticking on +him, it can be rubbed off with a wisp of straw before the brush is used. +Horses should not be washed, or, if they are, only under very exceptional +circumstances, when specially ordered. It is, however, a favourite +practice among "syces," as it saves a good deal of trouble; and it is much +easier to wash off mud and dirt than to remove it with the brush, as ought +to be done; they are also very apt to use the curry-comb for this purpose. +When the horse is cool he should be gone over with the brush, to remove +what dirt is remaining, and when this is finished the process should be +repeated with the hands, the palm and bend of the wrist being used for +this purpose. If it is the hot weather, the grooming had best be done +out-of-doors; but in winter it is best to do it in the stable, as in +Northern India there is a cold wind blowing even in the middle of the day, +and if exposed to it horses are liable to catch cold. As soon as the +grooming is finished, which with a clipped horse can be done in about half +an hour, the clothing and bandages should be put on, and, if it is +evening, the bed put down. Even if not worked, this process of grooming +should take place twice a day--before the morning and evening feed. + + +Wisps and Grooming Pads. + +Straw wisps or leather pads are particularly useful in developing the +muscle of a thin animal, or bringing the skin into order when it has been +neglected. The wisps are made by twisting some of the bedding straw +together into a rope about three feet long. This is then doubled in the +middle and again twisted, so as to form a flat pad. Two of these wisps are +used, one in each hand, and they are alternately brought down with a +slight slap and drawing motion in the direction of the hair, the whole +body being massaged with them. It is sometimes a good plan, if there is +much dirt in the coat, to cover the pad with a damp duster; the dirt +seems to stick to it. This is particularly useful when horses are changing +their coats; the hair sticks to the damp cloth, and the old coat is +brought out quicker than it otherwise would be. The grooming pads are used +in the same way. They are two circles of leather about four or five inches +in diameter, joined together with a strip of chamois leather about three +inches wide, so as to form a pad or cushion, that is stuffed with tow. On +one side a piece of leather or webbing is stitched at each end, +sufficiently loose to allow the hand to be slipped under it in the same +way as the horse brush. Two of these pads are used, and the skin beaten or +massaged by each hand alternately. Although, perhaps, at first horses are +fidgety, when they get used to it they appear to enjoy it; and it has the +advantage of letting the owner know, if he is not in sight, that the +"syce" is working by the noise he makes. + + +Hand-rubbing. + +If horses are inclined to get filled on swollen legs, the tendons should +be well hand-rubbed for five minutes at each grooming hour. This +hand-rubbing should commence from the lower portion of the limb and be +continued upwards, not in the reverse direction, which is the usual +practice. The limb should be lifted up, and the fingers worked with a +kneading motion behind the tendons. + + +Washing. + +The feet, mane and tail are the only parts that should ever be washed, +unless specially ordered, and then as seldom as possible. When the feet +are washed, great care should be taken that they are carefully dried +afterwards, and bandages put on, as leaving the legs wet is one of the +chief causes of cracked heels, more especially in the winter months, if +there is a dry cold wind blowing. If soap is used, it should be soft-soap; +or, better still, the soap nut, or "reita." This is a berry, the shell or +outer covering of which, when soaked in water, swells up into a sticky +mass, that lathers like soap, and by natives of India is used for washing +purposes. + + +Uneven Manes. + +When the mane gets ragged and uneven, it should be carefully brushed down +four or five times a day with a damp water brush, to make it lie flat. The +long hairs on the under side next the neck should be pulled out, so that +the mane is thinned, and the lower part lies in a perfect curve along the +neck. Some horses object, and are a little troublesome during this +process; but, if it is done gradually, it can be easily accomplished. The +long hairs in the mane should never be cut, unless it is intended to clip +it off altogether, and make it into a "hogged" mane. If the mane will not +lie down flat with an even sweep, it can be covered with a cake of mud for +four or five days, when it should be removed, and renewed if necessary. +Being dry, it will crack, and the pieces can be easily knocked off, and +the dust brushed out. The mud cake generally has the desired effect after +having been applied four or five times. + + +Hogged Manes. + +The manes of polo ponies and cobs it is the fashion to "hog," or cut off +close to the neck. It is best to leave the forelock, as it gives a certain +protection against the flies and glare of the sun; also, to leave a lock +of hair on the wither, to grasp with the hand when mounting. The best +implement to hog a mane with is a pair of ordinary horse-clippers, but +don't use a new pair, or they will get spoiled; old ones that are no use +for the rest of the body, do well enough. It is best to sit on the +animal's back when the mane is being hogged, and to cut forwards; the +hair will be cut much smoother, and a neater job made of it than when +standing on the ground at the side. + + +Ragged Legs. + +If the horse is not clipped, the long hairs at the back of the legs look +very unsightly. They should be pulled out, not cut off. If a little +powdered resin is rubbed on the finger and thumb, the hair will stick to +it, and come out much more easily, and the legs will have a smooth, even +appearance, which can never be attained if they are cut off with scissors, +no matter how carefully this is done; there will always be jagged ridges +left. The long hairs under the jowl can be singed off by passing a lighted +candle under the jaw once or twice. If the horse is at all frightened at +the candle, he can be blindfolded; but the operation is so quick, that +generally it is all over before he is aware of what is being done. The +long hairs on the muzzle and chin can be clipped off with a pair of +ordinary scissors. If the horse is not clipped all over, attention to +these one or two little details make all the difference in his appearance, +and in his being turned out smart, or the reverse. + + +Trimming Tails. + +The tail should be grasped close to the root with one hand, which is run +down so that the hairs are all gathered together, and a string or tape +tied round below the fleshy part at the tip. The tail should then be drawn +out straight, and the hair cut off with a single sweep of a sharp knife +just below where the string is tied. The blade of the knife must be long +enough to give a drawing sweep, which an ordinary pocket-knife will not +do. There is nothing better for this than a sharp native sword, or +"tulwar," as it is long enough to cut through all the hair at one stroke; +or, failing a sword, a sharp carving-knife will do, the longer in the +blade the better. Any uneven ends of hair that remain can afterwards be +trimmed off with a pair of scissors; or, better still, by a pair of sheep +shears. Tail-cutting machines are sold with an arrangement to fix the hair +of the tail with a clamp, on which there is a sliding cutting-blade. These +cut the hair off very smoothly and evenly; the only drawback is that they +are somewhat expensive, costing about Rs. 16 in Calcutta or Bombay. + + +Clipping. + +Arabs and many country-breds carry such fine coats that they do not +require clipping, but most Australians and colonials do; and if the coat +is at all inclined to get long and thick, it certainly should be taken +off, for horse-clothing is so cheap that an extra rug can always be got. +Horses should not be clipped till the coat has "set," _i.e._ till the long +winter coat has grown, and no more hairs will come off when the hand is +rubbed over the skin. This is generally about the beginning of October in +Northern India. They will generally require clipping twice or three times +during the winter, or up to the middle of March. There are generally some +professional clippers in every station, who bring their own +clipping-machines, and charge about two or three rupees for a pony, and an +extra rupee for a horse each time; or, if there is not such an individual +about, permission can generally be obtained to have it done by any of the +cavalry regiments in the station. It should be remembered that horses +having just lost their coats will require an extra rug that night. + + +Cleaning the Sheath. + +The owner must himself occasionally see that the horse's sheath is washed +out. "Syces" never think this necessary, and the part gets into a filthy, +dirty state, that in the summer months is likely to give rise to a +troublesome sore, called a "bursattee" ulcer. Some horses are very +troublesome to do this with, and it may be necessary to put on a twitch +("kinch mhal"); but this should always be done in the owner's presence. + + +Light in Stables. + +With a new-comer, "syces" usually ask for oil to burn in a native +earthenware lamp (charragh) at night, but it is a thing I never allow. In +the first place, even if the lamp was kept burning, it is not required; +horses rest better in the dark. In the second, it is dangerous with so +much inflammable material about. In the third, the lamp will not be used +in the stable, but the "syce's" own house. If a light is ever required, +which is only on rare occasions, it is better to bring a lantern out of +the house; and in India there is always a hurricane-lantern to be found in +every house. + + +Fires in Verandahs. + +"Syces" are very fond of lighting fires and making cooking places in the +verandah of the stable, but this I never allow, as it litters the place up +with cooking pots, and makes a great mess; also, it is dangerous. I always +make them carry on their cooking operations in the verandahs of their own +houses. + + + + +SADDLERY, HARNESS, CARRIAGES, AND SERVANTS. + + +Saddles (_zin_) and Harness (_saz_). + +Saddles, harness, and all leatherwork requires a good deal more care and +attention in India than in England, especially during the hot season, when +the fierce dry heat will dry up and perish all sorts of leather; and in +the rains, especially in Southern India, where the atmosphere is so loaded +with moisture that leather, put on one side and neglected for a very few +days, soon becomes covered with mildew. There are no saddle rooms in +Indian stables, and it is usual to keep them in a corner of a room in the +house on a wooden saddle-stand, called by natives a "ghorra" horse. In the +rains, a pan or brazier of burning charcoal should be kept in the room for +a few hours daily, if there is not a fire-place. Saddles are cleaned in +the same way as in England, and excellent saddle soap and dubbing is made +by the North-west Province Soap Works at Meerut, and can be obtained +almost anywhere. If this is not used, the "syces" can always make up +dubbing of their own, called "momrogan." Some people give their head +"syce" a monthly allowance to provide dubbing, soap, bathbrick, oil, etc.; +but as they frequently put lime and bleaching materials with it, I prefer +to buy it myself, and let them get the other articles. They require a +chamoise leather and a burnisher for steel-work, but one of each will do +for a stable of half a dozen horses, and very good country-made leathers +(sabur) can be got for from one to one and a half rupees. The soap is put +on to and rubbed into leather-work with the hands; but the great fault +they have is that they will put on too much, and won't work it in enough, +and one's breeches and hands will get into a great mess. + + +Saddle Covers (_buk bund_). + +A sheet, made out of a description of coarse country cloth (karwah), is +necessary for each saddle or set of harness, to wrap it up in, and keep +the dust and dirt off. It should be sufficiently large to wrap the saddle +up in completely, and in the summer the "syce" can bring it with him to +act as a horse-cloth to throw over the quarters when standing about. +These saddle-sheets can be made by any tailor in a few hours. + + +Bridles. + +Bridles, double (dahna), snaffle (kazai), can be hung up on the walls, but +a piece of cloth or a few sheets of paper should be fastened up behind +them; and they should be frequently taken down if not in daily use, as the +white ants are most destructive. It is best to have one or two extra +saddle-stands made with pegs on them, and to hang the bridles on them in +the middle of the room, away from the walls. This may be a little more +expensive, but a saddle-stand can be brought for Rs. 5 that will hold a +couple of dozen bridles, worth Rs. 20 apiece. At one time plated bits were +used in India, but I think steel ones are the best. "Syces" never can tell +the difference, and I have more than once found a plated bit being +industriously scrubbed and polished with sand. + + +Harness. + +Unless particularly desired, brown harness with brass mounts is the +best--for India, at all events--for pony-harness, and it is this class of +animal that is generally used in an up-country station. Not one "syce" in +a hundred knows how to clean black harness properly, and if this is not +done nothing looks worse, whereas almost any native can clean brown +leather after a fashion, and even if it does not stand close inspection, +it will pass muster at a little distance. Fairly good brown harness is +made out of country leather, and it does well enough for rough work, but +it never has the finish of English. Country leather reins and country bits +should never be used; they are not reliable, and are most dangerous; these +should always be English. + + +Carriages. + +The ordinary two-wheeled pony-trap or dogcart, used in an up-country +Indian station, is best varnished, not painted. The hot weather ruins +paint, and, unless in some of the very large towns, it is nearly +impossible to get them properly repainted again. Any native workman can, +however, varnish a trap with white or copal varnish. Before allowing new +varnish to be put on, the trap should be produced for inspection with the +old scraped off, as it is a favourite trick to daub new varnish over the +old, when it cannot properly set, and the first hot sun cracks and +blisters it. In the hot weather a large earthen basin, called a "naund," +should be kept full of water under the carriage in the coach-house; the +evaporation of the water will keep the woodwork moist, and prevent its +cracking with the heat. A matting made of the fibres of the "khus khus," +or lemon grass, should also be put round the nave of the wheel, and kept +wet, for the same purpose, as it is exceedingly likely to crack with the +heat. The shafts of the trap should not be left resting on the ground, as +they will warp and bend; they should be supported either by a wooden +trestle, or else by a couple of ropes from the beams of the roof. The +whip, when not in use, should be hung by a string at the upper part to a +nail in the wall, and a weight, such as a brick, tied to the butt end to +keep it straight; otherwise, in a very short time, it will get crooked. + + +Servants. + +Indian "syces" are different to English grooms, as the new arrival will +soon find. They have peculiar customs of their own, which, like all +Orientals, they cling to tenaciously, and will not give up. If they are +understood they are easily managed, and work well; but if not, the +horse-owner's life is a burden to him, for no European can overcome the +passive resistance of the Oriental. In the first place, I never let any +of the house servants interfere with the stable. Many persons, +particularly those new to the country, do everything through their head +servant, or "bearer"; but I make him stick to his own work, which is the +control of the house and the house servants. I pick out one of the best +and sharpest of the "syces," changing him till I get a good man, making +him the head or "jemedar syce," and paying him a rupee a month more wages +than the rest; and he is responsible for everything connected with the +horses, and any small bills I pay to him, and him alone. The wages I pay +myself to each man regularly on the seventh of the month, for the month +previously. I never lift my hand to a servant, or fine him under any +pretext, as the fine will only be made up out of the horse's grain, but, +if fault has to be found, I do so in the presence of the head man; on the +second occasion a warning is given, and on the third the offender is +dismissed on the spot. I always keep a "syce" and a "grass-cutter" for +each horse. It is possible to get a "syce" and two "grass-cutters" to look +after two horses, by paying the "syce" a rupee a month more; but the +arrangement is not satisfactory, although many do it. If the "syce" gets +ill, which they often do, there is no one to do his work, whereas, if +there is a man to each horse, they will arrange the extra work among +themselves. In Northern India "syces" and "grass-cutters" should be +provided with warm woollen clothes in the winter. An excellent cloth for +the purpose is made by the various woollen mills, and at most of them +servant's clothes can be bought ready made up; but it is best to give the +men the materials and let them get them made up themselves, otherwise +there is certain to be something wrong with them. A "syce's" coat costs +about Rs. 4, and a "grass-cutter's," which is made out of a coarse +blanketing, Rs. 3; and these coats should last for two winters' wear. In +addition, I used to give each man a "coolie" blanket that cost Rs. 3, and +which would last three winters; and, if they had to go out much into camp, +such as taking horses out to meet me on shooting or pig-sticking +expeditions, a pair of woollen leg-bandages, or "putties." It is a mistake +not to give servants warm clothes, and a false economy, as, if they are +not properly protected against the cold, which is very severe in Northern +India, they are everlastingly getting fever; and I know no greater +nuisance than having your head man laid up for two or three days at a +stretch. In the second place, if they have not warm clothes themselves, +you can never tell if in the night they will not take the clothing off the +horses to wrap themselves up in. A constant source of squabbling amongst +Indian servants is the allotment of their huts or houses. In the older +Indian bungalows there is usually enough of both these and stabling, but +in the newer ones there is not. It is best, however, not to listen to any +such complaints, and somehow the disputants settle the knotty point +themselves. Every now and again it is advisable to see who is living in +your compound, as a most enormous number of relations will turn up, who +are known as brothers (bhai); and if you don't look out, you will find you +are giving shelter on your premises to several hundred individuals. Indian +servants are always asking leave to attend weddings, funerals, and +religious ceremonies; and I always allow them to go, provided some +arrangement is made to carry on their work. They are clannish in the +extreme, and a substitute was always forthcoming. In the hills +"grass-cutters" are not required, as grass can be bought in the bazaars. +The country people look on the sale of this as a vested right, and +naturally resent any outsider cutting it or interfering with them; and, if +they do, there is pretty certain to be a disturbance and unpleasantness. +If "grass-cutters" are preferred to purchasing the daily supply, local +hillmen should be employed, who will arrange the matter with their +neighbours, and not men brought up from the plains of India. In most hill +stations passes or licences have to be obtained to cut grass. In every +Indian station there is an official price-list of country produce +published, and should any dispute arise as to the rates charged, it is as +well to obtain it from the native magistrate (tehsildar), whose decision +in such matters is usually accepted as final, and which generally saves an +immense amount of trouble. + + + + +SHOEING. + + +Shoeing (_nal bundie_). + +Shoeing is a subject on which a volume might be written of itself, far +beyond the scope of this little work, and for further information on the +art I would refer the reader to the treatises by Dr. Flemming and W. +Hunting, Esq.; but as both these deal with European practice, I will only +mention a few differences in the art as performed by the native smith, or +"nal bund." In most large military stations where there are European +troops, permission can generally be obtained to have horses shod at the +regimental forge, but in out-of-the-way places the native artist has to be +employed. All horses require shoeing at least once a month, and some +oftener, as with some the horn grows quicker than others, and the hoof +requires to be shortened oftener. In these cases, if the shoe is not worn +out at the toe, it can be replaced after the foot is shortened; this is +what the English smith calls "a remove," the native "khol bundi." It is +advisable after work to lift up the foot and look if the shoes (nal) +have shifted or not, also to examine the clench or point of the nail +(preg) where it has been turned over, as it sometimes gets turned up and +sticks out. If this happens on the inside of the hoof it is likely to cut +the opposite fetlock (mawah lagna), and make a bad wound that may leave a +permanent scar or blemish. Some horses, from bad formation, move their +limbs so closely together that they always rub the fetlock joints when +they move. This sometimes can be corrected by what is known as a brushing +shoe; but some badly-shaped animals will always do it, no matter what sort +of shoe is put on. Various forms of pads or brushing boots are sold to +prevent this and protect the part; but, in my opinion, what is known as +the Irish boot is the best. It consists of a thick piece of blanket, or +"mundah," about six inches wide and the length of the circumference of the +leg. This is fastened round the fetlock with a tape or string so that the +ends are in the middle line of the leg behind, the upper half being +doubled over the string so that there are two thicknesses to protect the +fetlock joint. I have found this far better than the more elaborate +contrivances sold; it is cheap--any one can make one in a few minutes--it +does not collect mud and dirt like the others do, and it does not become +hard like those boots made out of leather, which, unless carefully looked +to and kept soft with soap (sabon) or dubbing (momrogan), are liable to +cut horses badly. The only care required in putting on the Irish boot is +not to tie it too tight, or the tapes may cut the skin. Some pieces of +horn hanging loose, that are being cast off from the sole and frog in the +natural process of growth, are often seen. These are very likely to +collect dirt and moisture, and if they do they should be removed, but +otherwise be left alone. They can generally be pulled off with the +fingers, a piece of stick, or the hoof-picker. As a rule, in the plains of +India the majority of horses do not require shoes on their hind feet, +unless the roads are mended with stone, or the climate is very damp and +the horn gets soft. In the rainy season, if much work is being done, they +perhaps then require shoeing behind, but in the dry season the majority go +just as well without. In the hills, where the paths are rocky and stony, +horses, of course, require shoeing behind. Unlike the European, the native +smith shoes what is called "cold," that is, he has a number of shoes in +sizes from which he selects one as near a fit as possible, which he +hammers into shape on a small anvil without heating it. Native shoes are +generally perfectly plain, _i.e._ flat on both sides, and, unless +specially made, are never "seated," _i.e._ sloped on the foot surface, or +"bevelled," _i.e._ sloped on the ground surface. As a rule, the nail-holes +are what the smith calls too fine, _i.e._ they are too near the outer rim +of the iron, and to get a hold the shoe has to be brought back so that the +horn projects over the iron. To obviate this the smith removes the toe +with the rasp, thus weakening the horn at the very place where it is +required to be strong. The shoes are generally somewhat too small also, +and to get the nail to take hold they have to be set back in the same way +as when the nail-holes are too fine. A native smith, unless he has been +shown how, never knows how to turn down the point of the nail after it has +been driven through the hoof to form the clench; he never cuts off the +superfluous part, but turns it round in a curl with the pincers, and, +needless to say, this is exceedingly likely to cause brushing. Another +great fault is his fondness of pairing and slicing away the frog and sole, +which he will have to be stopped in doing. I have seldom seen a horse +pricked in shoeing by a native, but if left to themselves they never get +the bearing true, and as a result corns are of common occurrence. Of +course, such light shoes as those of native manufacture have not a great +lot of wear in them, and in heavy, holding ground would pull off, but on +the hard level plains of India they last well enough, and the native +smith, if his faults are known and corrected, is not a bad workman after +his own lights. + + + + +GLOSSARY OF HINDUSTANI WORDS. + + +ADARWAH, _parched barley_. + +AGHARI, _a head rope_. + +AKH-TA, _a gelding_. + + +BAD HAZMIE, _indigestion_, _dyspepsia_. + +BAGH, _rein_. + +BAGH DORIE, _leading-rope_. + +BAJARA, _millet seed_. + +BALTI, _bucket_. + +BANIAH, _corn-dealer_. + +BANS, _bamboo_. + +BHAI, _brother_, _relative_. + +BHERIE, _iron shackles for horse's legs_. + +BHESTIE, _water carrier_. + +BICHALIE, _bedding straw_. + +BUK BUND, _saddle sheet_. + +BURRADAH, _sawdust_. + + +CHARPOY, _native bedstead_. + +CHARRAGH, _native oil lamp_. + +CHATTIE, _earthen pot_. + +CHAURIE, _fly-whisk_. + +CHEIL, _to dig up grass_. + +CHICK, _split bamboo window blind_. + +CHICK-NA, _muzzle_. + +CHOKER, _bran_. + +CHUCKIE, _hand-mill_. + +CHUNNA, _gram_. + +CHURRIE, _dried shorgum stalk used for cattle fodder_. + +COMPOUND, _enclosure round an Indian house_. + +CULTEE, _the black gram used as horse food in Madras_. + + +DAH, _a bill-hook_. + +DAH-NA, _a double bridle_. + +DAST, _diarrhoea_. + +DASTOUR, _custom_, _percentage_, _perquisites_. + +DHAN, _unhusked rice_. + +DHA NAH, _grain_. + +DHOOB, _an Indian grass on which horses are fed_. + +DHOOL, _a small leather bucket used for drawing water_. + +DURZIE, _a tailor_. + + +FARAKIE, _body-roller_. + + +GAJAR, _carrots_. + +GEHUN, _wheat_. + +GHORRA, _horse_. + +GHORRIE, _mare_. + +GUDDA, _donkey_. + +GUMALO, _earthen vessel shaped like a milk pan, holding about a gallon_. + +GUNNA, _sugar-cane_. + +GURDAINE, _horse-rug_. + + +HAWAH, _air_. + +HOOKHA, _a pipe_. + +HURRIALIE, _a species of grass_. + + +JAI, _oats_. + +JAMP, _a straw screen_. + +JARU, _a broom_. + +JHARAN, _duster_. + +JHOOL, _country horse clothing made out of felt_. + +JONK, _leech_. + +JOW, _barley_. + + +KALI NIMUK, _black salt_. + +KAR WAH, _a sort of cotton cloth_. + +KAZAI, _watering or snaffle bridle_. + +KHAL, _linseed cake_. + +KHANSILLA, _hood_. + +KHASIL, _green food_. + +KHAWID, _green food_. + +KHOALIE, _charcoal_. + +KHOL BUNDIE, _a remove in horse shoeing_. + +KHUA, _a well_. + +KHUS KHUS, _lemon grass_. + +KICHER KE MUTTEE, _clay_. + +KINCH MHAL, _twitch_. + +KIRIM, _worm_, _weevil_. + +KUMBAL, _blanket_. + +KURLIE, _manger_. + +KURPA, _a short iron hoe, used to dig grass with_. + +KUTCHER, _mule_. + + +MALISH, _grooming_. + +MAKE, _a wooden tent-peg_. + +MAKIE-ARA, _eye-fringe to keep off flies_. + +MAUND, _80 lbs. weight_. + +MAWAH LAGNA, _brushing of the fetlocks_. + +MISSA BHOOSA, _grain stalks crushed in thrashing_. + +MOAT, _pulse grain_. + +MOMROGAN, _dubbing_. + +MOTE, _pulse grain_. + +MUNG, _pulse grain_. + +MUSSUK, _leather water-bag_. + +MUTTIE, _earth_. + +MUZZUMA, _leather heel-strap_. + + +NAL, _a horseshoe_. + +NAL BUND, _a shoeing-smith_. + +NAUND, _a large wide-mouthed earthen vessel holding several gallons_. + +NEWAR, _cotton webbing_. + +NIMMUK, _salt_. + +NIRRICK, _the official price list_. + +NUKTA, _head stall_. + +NUMDAH, _felt pad for putting under a saddle_. + + +PAITE, _body-roller_. + +PANI, _water_. + +PECHARIE, _heel ropes_. + +PREG, _nail_. + +PUTTER KE NIMMUK, _rock salt_. + +PUTTIE, _a roller bandage_. + + +RET, _sand_. + +REITA, _soap nuts_. + +RHAL, _linseed cake_. + +ROLL KERNA, _to exercise_. + + +SABON, _soap_. + +SABUR, _chamois leather_. + +SAN, _a stallion_. + +SAZ, _harness_. + +SEER, _a two-pound weight_. + +SHALGHAM, _turnip_. + +SUFFAID BHOOSA, _wheat straw that has been crushed and broken in +thrashing_. + +SUM KHODNA, _hoof-picker_. + +SUN, _tow or hemp_. + +SYCE, _a groom_. + + +TOBRA, _a nose-bag_. + +TOKAR, _to trip or stumble_. + +TOKRIE, _a basket_. + +TULWAR, _a curved native sword_. + + +ULSIE, _linseed_. + + +ZIN, _a saddle_. + + + +LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, + +STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS. + + + + + No. 78. + + Telegrams: "MOFUSSIL, LONDON." + + Established 1819. + + + A SELECTION FROM THE PUBLICATIONS OF + + W. THACKER & CO., + 2, CREED LANE, LONDON, E.C. + + AND + + THACKER, SPINK & CO., + CALCUTTA. + + 1897. + + +SHAW, VERO. + +How to Choose a Dog, and How to Select a Puppy. With Notes on the +Peculiarities and Characteristics of each Breed. By VERO SHAW, Author of +"The Illustrated Book of the Dog," late Kennel Editor of the "Field." +Crown 8vo., sewed, 1_s._ 6_d._ + +_The Stock Keeper._--"The price is within everybody's means, and needless +to say the work is not of a pretentious nature. On the other hand, the +text keeps the promise of the title, and the advice that is given is good. +Each breed of dog has a chapter to itself, which opens with a few +introductory remarks of a general nature: then follow the points briefly +and plainly; next come average of the pup from six weeks old until he +attains maturity. A couple of pages at the end of the work are devoted to +the relation, and a few useful hints on buying, feeding, and breeding. +Needless to add that like all Mr. Vero Shaw's writings on canine subjects +the information is founded on practical experience and imparted in easy +excellent English." + + +NUNN, VETY. CAPT. J. A. + +Notes on Stable Management in India and the Colonies. Second Edition, +revised and enlarged, with a Glossary. Crown 8vo., cloth, 3_s._ 6_d._ + +CONTENTS.--Food, Water, Air, and Ventilation. Grooming, Gear, etc. + + +THOMAS, HENRY SULLIVAN, F.L.S. + +The Rod in India: being Hints how to obtain Sport, with remarks on the +Natural History of Fish and their Culture. By HENRY SULLIVAN THOMAS, +F.L.S. (Madras Civil Service, retired), Author of "Tank Angling in India." +Third Edition. Demy 8vo., cloth. [_In the Press._ + + +_Land and Water._--"A book to read for pleasure at home, as well as to use +as a handbook of exceeding value to the angler who may be already there, +or intending to visit India." + + + + +Capt. M. H. HAYES' BOOKS ON HORSES. + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Veterinary Notes for Horse-Owners. An Illustrated Manual of Horse Medicine +and Surgery, written in simple language. Fifth Edition. This Edition is +revised throughout, considerably enlarged, and incorporates the substance +of the Author's "Soundness and Age of Horses." Thick crown 8vo., buckram, +15_s._ + +_Saturday Review._--"Captain Hayes' work is a valuable addition to our +stable literature; and the illustrations, tolerably numerous, are +excellent beyond the reach of criticism." + +_Times._--"A necessary guide for horse-owners, especially those who are +far removed from immediate professional assistance." + +_Field._--"Of the many popular veterinary books which have come under our +notice, this is certainly one of the most scientific and reliable. If some +painstaking student would give us works of equal merit to this on the +diseases of the other domestic animals, we should possess a very complete +veterinary library in a very small compass." + +_Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News._--"Simplicity is one of the most +commendable features in the book. What Captain Hayes has to say he says in +plain terms, and the book is a very useful one for everybody who is +concerned with horses." + +_Lancet._--"The usefulness of the manual is testified to by its +popularity, and each edition has given evidence of increasing care on the +part of the author to render it more complete and trustworthy as a book of +reference for amateurs." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Indian Racing Reminiscences. Profusely Illustrated. Impl. 16mo., 3_s._ +6_d._ + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Points of the Horse. A familiar Treatise on Equine Conformation. Second +Edition. Revised and enlarged. This edition has been thoroughly revised +and contains numerous additions, including specially written Chapters on +the Breeds of English and Foreign Horses. Illustrated by 200 reproductions +of Photographs of Typical "Points" and Horses, and 205 Drawings by J. H. +OSWALD BROWN. Super-royal 8vo., cloth, gilt top, 34_s._ + +Also a _LARGE PAPER EDITION_, strictly limited to One Hundred and Fifty +Copies for England and the Colonies, numbered and signed by the Author. +Demy 4to., art cloth, top edges gilt, uncut, 63s. net. [_Nearly all sold._ + + +Press Opinions on the Second Edition. + +_Times, Feb., 1897._--"The intrinsic value of the book, and high +professional reputation of its author, should ensure this new edition a +cordial welcome from Sportsmen and all lovers of the horse." + +_Field._--"A year or two ago we had to speak in terms of praise of the +first edition of this book, and we welcome the second and more complete +issue. The first edition was out of print in six months, but, instead of +reprinting it, Capt. Hayes thought it better to wait until he had enough +material in hand to enable him to make to the second edition those +additions and improvements he had proposed to himself to add. The result +is in every way satisfactory, and in this handsome book the searcher after +sound information on the make and shape of the horse will find what will +be of the utmost use to him. Those who have been, or who contemplate being +at no distant date, in the position of judges at horse shows, will derive +great benefit from a careful perusal of Capt. Hayes's pages." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Illustrated Horsebreaking. Second Edition. This Edition has been entirely +re-written; the amount of the letterpress more than doubled, and 75 +reproductions of Photographs have been added. Impl. 16mo., buckram, 21_s._ + +_Field._--"It is a characteristic of all Captain Hayes' books on horses +that they are eminently practical, and the present one is no exception to +the rule. A work which is entitled to high praise as being far and away +the best reasoned-out one on breaking under a new system we have seen." + +_Veterinary Journal._--"The work is eminently practical and readable." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Riding: on the Flat and Across Country. A Guide to Practical Horsemanship. +Impl. 16mo., cloth gilt., 10_s._ 6_d._ + +_Times._--"Captain Hayes' hints and instructions are useful aids, even to +experienced riders, while for those less accustomed to the saddle, his +instructions are simply invaluable." + +_Standard._--"Captain Hayes is not only a master of his subject, but he +knows how to aid others in gaming such a mastery as may be obtained by the +study of a book." + +_Field._--"We are not in the least surprised that a third edition of this +useful and eminently practical book should be called for. On former +occasions we were able to speak of it in terms of commendation, and this +edition is worthy of equal praise." + +_Baily's Magazine._--"An eminently practical teacher, whose theories are +the outcome of experience, learned not in the study, but on the road, in +the hunting field, and on the racecourse." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Training and Horse Management in India. Fifth Edition. Crown 8vo., cloth, +7_s._ 6_d._ + +_Saturday Review._--"A useful guide in regard to horses anywhere. Concise, +practical, and portable." + +_Veterinary Journal._--"We entertain a very high opinion of Captain Hayes' +book on 'Horse Training and Management in India,' and are of opinion that +no better guide could be placed in the hands of either amateur horseman or +veterinary surgeon newly arrived in that important division of our +empire." + +_Field._--"We have always been able to commend Captain Hayes' books as +being essentially practical and written in understandable language. As +trainer, owner, and rider of horses on the flat and over country, the +author has had a wide experience, and when to this is added competent +veterinary knowledge, it is clear that Captain Hayes is entitled to +attention when he speaks." + + +HAYES, Mrs. Edited by CAPT. M. H. HAYES. + +The Horsewoman. A Practical Guide to Side-Saddle Riding. With 4 Collotypes +from Instantaneous Photographs, and 48 Drawings after Photographs, by J. +H. OSWALD BROWN. Square 8vo., cloth gilt, 10_s._ 6_d._ + +_Times._--"A large amount of sound, practical instruction, very +judiciously and pleasantly imparted." + +_Field._--"This is the first occasion on which a practical horseman and a +practical horsewoman have collaborated in bringing out a book on riding +for ladies. The result is in every way satisfactory, and, no matter how +well a lady may ride, she will gain much valuable information from a +perusal of 'The Horsewoman.' The book is happily free from self-laudatory +passages." + +_The Queen._--"A most useful and practical book on side-saddle riding, +which may be read with real interest by all lady riders." + + +MILLER, E. D. Edited by CAPT. M. H. HAYES. + +Modern Polo. A Practical Guide to the Science of the Game, Training of +Ponies, Rules, etc. By Mr. E. D. MILLER, late 17th Lancers. Edited by M. +H. HAYES, F.R.C.V.S. With Sixty-four Illustrations from Photographs. Impl. +16mo., cloth extra, 12_s._ 6_d._ + +A practical and exhaustive description of the Science of the game, duties +of players, selection, breaking, training, and management of ponies, +various breeds of ponies in all parts of the world. Polo in India; +Hurlingham, Indian, and American Rules, etc. Beautifully illustrated with +sixty-four reproductions of Photographs showing the various "points" of +the game, famous ponies, players, etc. + +CONTENTS.--Chapter I. First Steps at Polo.--Chapter II. Theory and +Practice of Polo.--Chapter III. Polo Appliances.--Chapter IV. Choosing a +Polo Pony.--Chapter V. Training the Polo Pony.--Chapter VI. Polo Pony +Gear.--Chapter VII. Polo Pony Management.--Chapter VIII. Various Breeds of +Polo Ponies.--Chapter IX. Polo in India.--Chapter X. Polo Pony +Breeding.--Chapter XI. Veterinary Advice to Polo Players.--Appendix. +Tournaments, Laws and Bye-Laws, etc. + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Friedberger and Froehner's Veterinary Pathology. Translated from the +original German of the recently published Fourth Edition, and Annotated. +[_In the press._ + + + + +FORTHCOMING WORKS. + +Dairy Cows. A Practical Guide in the Choice and Management of Dairy +Cattle, etc. By HAROLD LEENEY, M.R.C.V.S. + +The Best Breeds of British Stock. Edited by JOHN WATSON, F.L.S. + +Thacker's Veterinary Year Book. + +CONTENTS.--Events of the Year--List of Officers--President and +Council--New Members Qualified during the Year--Privileges of +Members--Students who have passed A and B Classes--The Number of +Rejections in England and Scotland--A Review of all the Veterinary Medical +Societies--Digest of Papers Read, with Names of Speakers and +Extracts--Horse Fairs and Markets--Auction Sales and Laws--New +Instruments--New Drugs--New Shoes--Posological Tables--Original Articles +by well-known Authors, etc. + +It has long been felt that a Veterinary Year Book was needed for use by +the large and increasing profession of Veterinary Surgeons, and it is +hoped that this work will meet the necessary requirements. + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. H. + +Friedberger and Froehner's Veterinary Pathology. Translated from the +original German of the recently published Fourth Edition, and Annotated by +Capt. M. H. HAYES, F.R.C.V.S., Author of "Points of the Horse," etc. Royal +8vo., cloth. + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. H. + +Stable Management in England. + + +PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON and BECCLES. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes on Stable Management in India +and the Colonies, by Joshua A. 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A. Nunn. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center; clear: both;} + + hr {width: 33%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body {margin-left: 12%; margin-right: 12%;} + + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right; font-style: normal;} + + .right {text-align: right;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + a:link {color:#0000ff; text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:#6633cc; text-decoration:none} + + .spacer {padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;} + + .adverts {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;} + + .hang {margin-left: 2em; text-indent: -2em;} + + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes on Stable Management in India and the +Colonies, by Joshua A. Nunn + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Notes on Stable Management in India and the Colonies + +Author: Joshua A. Nunn + +Release Date: May 15, 2010 [EBook #32376] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOTES ON STABLE MANAGEMENT *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<h1><span class="smcap">Notes on Stable Management.</span></h1> +<p> </p><p> </p> +<h2>NOTES ON<br /> +STABLE MANAGEMENT<br /> +IN INDIA AND THE COLONIES.</h2> +<p> </p> +<h4>BY</h4> +<h3><span class="smcap">Vety.-Capt.</span> J. A. NUNN, F.R.C.V.S., C.I.E., D.S.O.,</h3> +<h4>ARMY VETERINARY DEPARTMENT,<br />LATE PRINCIPAL LAHORE VETERINARY COLLEGE.</h4> +<p> </p> +<h4>SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED,</h4> +<h4>WITH A GLOSSARY.</h4> +<p> </p> +<h5>LONDON:<br /> +W. THACKER & CO., 2, CREED LANE.<br /> +CALCUTTA: THACKER, SPINK & CO.<br /> +1897.<br /> +<br /> +[<i>All rights reserved.</i>]</h5> +<p> </p><p> </p> +<h5>LONDON:<br /> +PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,<br /> +STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.</h5> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p>The first edition of these notes, which was written in India, having been +sold out in a much shorter space of time than I ever anticipated when I +wrote it, I am induced to offer this to the public. The scope of the +original pamphlet has been adhered to, and all that is aimed at is to give +the new arrival in the East some idea as to the management of his horses, +especially those who are setting up a stable for the first time. The first +edition was written in India for Anglo-Indians, who are familiar with +native terms; but to this, being published in England, I have added a +glossary of the more ordinary Hindustani words likely to be of use. The +spelling of these will be probably found fault with by the Oriental +scholar; but I have endeavoured to bring it as near the sound as possible, +as it is only intended for persons in absolute ignorance of the +vernacular. There appearing to be a demand for the book in the colonies, +at the suggestion of the publishers I have added a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> remarks on +Australia and South Africa. The entire work has been rewritten, and the +matter contained is the result of my own personal observations during +eighteen years’ service in India and the colonies at both military and +civil duties.</p> + +<p class="right">JOSHUA A. NUNN.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">London</span>,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>March</i>, 1897.</span></p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.</h2> + +<p>The following notes on Stable Management were originally delivered in a +lecture to the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Troopers of the +Punjab Light Horse, and as they were considered by the members of the +corps to be useful, at their request I have put them on paper. There is no +attempt at anything beyond the most elementary rudiments of horse-keeping +in India, and all they are intended for is to give volunteers of mounted +corps, who have not previously owned horses, some slight idea as to what +should be done for the care of their chargers, and not leave them entirely +in the hands of native syces and horse-keepers.</p> + +<p class="right">JOSHUA A. NUNN.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lahore</span>,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>December</i>, 1895.</span></p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="contents"> +<tr><td colspan="7" align="center"><a href="#FOOD"><span class="smcap">Food.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"> </td><td align="right"><span class="smcap">page</span></td><td colspan="3"> </td><td align="right"><span class="smcap">page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Gram</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td> +<td>Hay</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Barley</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Green Food</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Bran</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Green Gram</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Bran Mash</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Carrots</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Oats</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Lucerne</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Maize</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Guinea Grass</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Wheat</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Sugar Cane</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Rice</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Turnips</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Millet</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Salt</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Pulses</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Tonics</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Linseed</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Horses not Feeding</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Linseed Cake</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Damaged Food</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Black Gram</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Irregular Teeth</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Preparation of Food</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Young Horses Cutting Teeth</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Horses refusing Food</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Quidding</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Times of Feeding</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Indigestion</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Bolting Food</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Lampas</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Spilling Food on Ground</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Nose-bags</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Grass</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Mangers</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Churrie</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Worms</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Bhoosa</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Rubbing the Tail</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Bamboo Leaves</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Scouring</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Oat Hay Forage</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="7" align="center"><a href="#WATER"><span class="smcap">Water.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Water</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Watering after a Journey</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Times of Watering</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Watering Bridles</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Watering Troughs</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Leeches</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Watering on a Journey</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Wells</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="7" align="center"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span><a href="#VENTILATION"><span class="smcap">Air and Ventilation.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Stables</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Sawdust</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Chicks</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Shavings</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Stable Floors</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Sand</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Charcoal</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Horses eating Bedding</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Picketing</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Exercise</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Bedding</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="7" align="center"><a href="#GROOMING"><span class="smcap">Grooming, Stable Gear, etc.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Heel Ropes</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Summer Clothing</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Head Ropes</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Eye Fringes</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Fetlock Picketing</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Fly Whisks</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Picketing Posts</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td><td> </td> +<td rowspan="2">Cleaning Horse Clothing, and<br /><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Storing it in the Summer</span></td><td> </td><td rowspan="2" align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Ringing</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_74">74</a></td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td>Rheims</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Numdahs</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_86">86</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Knee-haltering</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Grooming</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Shackles</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Wisps and Grooming Pads</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Picketing-pegs</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Hand-rubbing</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Leading-ropes</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Washing</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Brushes and Gear</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Uneven Manes</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Curry-combs</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Hogged Manes</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Buckets</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Ragged Legs</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Dusters</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Trimming Tails</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Hoof-picker</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Clipping</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Clothing</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Cleaning the Sheath</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Hoods</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Lights in Stable</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Body-rollers</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Fires in Verandahs</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Bandages</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="7" align="center"><a href="#SADDLERY"><span class="smcap">Saddlery, Harness, Carriages and Servants.</span></a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Saddles and Harness</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Harness</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Saddle Covers</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Carriages</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Bridles</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td><td> </td> +<td>Servants</td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#SHOEING"><span class="smcap">Shoeing</span></a></td><td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td></tr></table> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> +<h1><span class="smcap">Stable Management.</span></h1> +<p> </p><p> </p> +<h2><a name="FOOD" id="FOOD"></a>FOOD.</h2> + +<p><strong>Gram</strong> (<i>chunnah</i>).</p> + +<p>In the north of India the chief food on which horses are fed is gram, the +seed of one of the pea tribe of plants. It is a crop that ripens in the +beginning of the summer, when it is harvested, and the grain thrashed out +by driving cattle over it in a circle. The dry stalks, that are broken up +into small pieces, are used for feeding cattle on, and are known as “missa +bhoosa,” in contradistinction to the stalks of the wheat when submitted to +the same process, and which is known as “suffaid,” or white bhoosa. The +price of gram varies very greatly, according to the locality and season, +and is a subject of much speculation and gambling amongst the native +community. I have known it as high as 7 seers (14 lbs. weight), and as low +as a maund (80 lbs. weight), per rupee. It also varies greatly in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +quality, depending on the locality in which it is grown and the conditions +under which it has been harvested, and is by native grain-sellers known as +first and second class gram. Good gram, when a small quantity is taken up +and examined in the palm of the hand, should be free from sand, dirt, +small pieces of stick, straws, or other sorts of seeds; in fact, it +should, what is known in the trade, “run clean.” Each individual grain +should be round and plump, as if the husk was well filled. It should not +be shrivelled up and wrinkled, and be free from worm or weevil marks, +which can be told by there being a small round hole in it, and the grain, +when cracked, being found hollowed out and eaten away. Generally the +weevil (kirim) will be found in the cavity, but if not, it will be full of +a fine powder. Weevil-eaten gram cannot be mistaken, and denotes that the +grain is old, and has been badly stored. In most samples of gram, unless +quite new, a small proportion of worm-eaten grains will be found, and this +is not of any consequence; but if there are a large number, there will be +a larger proportion of husk (which has no nourishing properties) than +grain, and a larger quantity will have to be given. When a grain of gram +is crushed between the teeth it should impart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> the taste of a dry pea in +the mouth, and be devoid of all mustiness, which is present if it has got +wet or mouldy, as it is very apt to do. In new gram the husk at the point +is of a slightly greenish shade, that disappears with keeping. It is +generally supposed that new gram is not so good as when it is a few months +old; but myself, I have never seen any ill effects from its use. The only +thing to be careful about is that it is perfectly ripe, for natives have a +great trick of cutting and plucking every grain, fruit, and vegetable +before they have arrived at full maturity. Gram should be crushed or +bruised, not <i>ground</i>, so as to break the outer husk and allow the juices +of the stomach to act on the kernel. It should be crushed or bruised only, +as if ground into a fine powder a good deal goes to waste. It is +sufficient if each seed is so crushed that it is split in two. Gram, +wheat, and all other grains in the East are ground by the women of the +family between two stones, one of which revolves on the top of the other +by means of a wooden handle fixed in it. To crush gram the stones require +to be sharper set than if they are to grind any other grain into flour. +Gram can be got ready crushed from the corn-dealer (baniah) at a small +increased charge per maund (80 lbs.),<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> or what I generally do is to pay my +head groom (syce) the regular bazaar rate (nirrick), and get the women of +his family to crush it, they providing their own mill (chuckie). The only +disadvantage of this plan is that it is necessary to weigh the grain a +second time after it has been crushed, otherwise it will be short, as +natives eat it themselves. But I found in the long run the syces would not +steal it; natives are sharp enough to see when any profit can be made, and +it was not to their advantage to give back short weight. Excellent +gram-crushing machines, working with fluted rollers, are sold by several +firms in India, and are adjustable so as to take any grain. They are made +to fit into a box for travelling, which, when in use, forms a stand for +the crusher to work on. They are, however, somewhat expensive, and +although admirable for a large stud of horses, are hardly required for a +private stable. If, however, expense is no object, they are certainly +preferable to the native mill, as they are cleaner, bits of grit not +coming off the stone, and each individual grain being crushed, which even +the best native mills will not do. Crushed grain is much quicker digested +than whole, particularly by old horses whose teeth are not in good order, +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> who cannot masticate their food properly. It is a common mistake to +give too much gram or other grain, there being a prevailing idea that the +more that is given the more work the horse will do. There is no greater +error; it is like putting more coal into the furnace of an engine that can +only consume a certain amount; the extra quantity only goes to waste, and +upsets the digestive functions of the stomach. What is required is a +judicious admixture of food given at a proper time; not a large quantity +improperly given of an improper quality. Gram should be given in the +proportion of one part of bran to two of gram; or what is better, one part +each of bran (choker), gram, and parched barley (adarwah), or oats (jai), +by weight. These can be purchased separately from the corn-dealer and +mixed together, and thus cannot be eaten by any of the servants, like pure +gram can be. If the horse is not digesting his food properly, whole grains +will be found in his droppings that have passed through the bowels +unaltered. There will be always a few of these found, especially if the +horse is getting parched barley or oats, as the husks of both these grains +are very indigestible. If the horse begins to get thin, and fall away in +condition as well, it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> then time to take some measures to remedy +matters, otherwise no notice need be taken.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Barley</strong> (<i>jow</i>).</p> + +<p>In many parts of Northern India, especially on the Afghan frontier, whole, +uncrushed barley is used. It does not seem to hurt country-breds, but with +old animals that are not used to it, and particularly Australians, the +practice is dangerous. During the Afghan War, on one occasion there being +no other grain available, whole barley was supplied to the horses of the +battery of artillery to which I then belonged. A number of them were +attacked with colic, and several died from the irritation caused by the +pointed awns or ends of the beards to the bowels. No doubt horses, and +particularly young ones, will get used to feeding on most grains if the +change is brought about gradually, but a sudden change from any one to +another is dangerous. At the best, whole barley is not an economical food. +The husk resists the digestive action of the stomach and intestines, and a +quantity is always passed out of the body whole. Barley ought certainly +always to be crushed, or, better still, parched, and turned into +“adarwah.” This is done by professional grain parchers in the bazaar; but +sometimes, though rarely, some of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> women of the servants’ families can +do it. It consists of half filling a wide shallow iron pan with sand, and +placing it over a fire till nearly red hot. A couple of handfuls of the +grain is then thrown into the sand with a peculiar turn of the wrist which +scatters it over the hot surface, about which it is stirred for a few +seconds with an iron spoon or small shovel pierced with holes like a +fish-ladle. The grain is partially baked, swells up and becomes brittle, +the husk cracking, when it is scraped up and lifted out with the ladle, +the sand being riddled through back into the pan. A good parcher will turn +out a “maund” (80 lbs.) in a wonderfully short space of time, the whole +process being gone through with a dexterity only acquired by long +practice. In India barley usually runs very light, there being a great +deal of husk. Boiled barley is a most useful diet for a sick horse. It +requires well boiling for at least half an hour, and the water then +drained off. I have known horses drink this barley-water when they won’t +look at anything else.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Bran</strong> (<i>choker</i>).</p> + +<p>In most of the large stations in India there are flour-mills in which +wheat is ground with the latest machinery, and when obtained from them, +bran<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> differs but little from what is seen in England; but in smaller +places wheat is ground by native mills, and then the bran is not so clean. +When native-made bran is run over the hand, it will be seen that there is +a large amount of flour in it, which adheres to the skin like a white +powder, and which makes it much more nourishing than the cleaner prepared +article. The scales also of native-made bran are much more irregular in +size than the European manufactured article. Bran should have a clean, +fresh smell about it, and the newer it is the better; if kept long it is +likely to get mouldy. This is particularly the case during the rainy +season, when the atmosphere being saturated with moisture, a good deal is +absorbed by the bran, and if kept in this state for any time will get +mouldy. On this account, if it is necessary to store bran during the rainy +season, it should be kept in tin boxes. The inside lining of old packing +cases, in which perishable goods are brought out from England, do well for +this purpose, and plenty can be got for a small sum in the bazaar shops; +or, if not, any native tinsmith will make a box out of old kerosine oil +tins for a small sum.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Bran Mash.</strong></p> + +<p>It is a good plan, particularly in warm weather, in any country to give +horses a bran mash once a week, and if one particular evening is fixed +upon, syces get into the habit of giving it regularly without special +orders. I generally used to give a standing order to give it on Saturday +night, for, as a rule, the horses are not required on Sunday. Bran has a +slightly relaxing effect, that in warm climates is particularly +beneficial. Bran mash is made by simply putting the necessary quantity of +bran into a bucket, pouring boiling water gradually on to it, at the same +time stirring it round with a stick until the whole is moist and mixed +together. The bran should only be damped sufficiently to make it stick +together, and should not be sloppy and wet. Some horses at first will not +eat bran, but they can be tempted to by mixing a handful of whatever grain +they have been used to with it.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Oats</strong> (<i>jai</i>).</p> + +<p>Oats are now largely grown over the Punjab, Northern India, and in +Tirhoot, and are sold at nearly the same price as barley. In the seaport +towns Australian oats can usually be obtained; and as good oats are grown +in the colonies as any part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> of the world. They are more expensive than +the native article, and are generally only used for training race-horses +on. The Indian oat, compared with the English, Australian, or South +African, is a poor article, running very light, with a great amount of +husk; but if properly crushed, and mixed with gram and bran in proportions +of one part of each, they are greatly superior to barley. The oat in India +is a winter crop, and is harvested in the spring. Both colonial and Indian +oats are always white. I have never seen the black or tawny variety which +is so common in Ireland. A demand having arisen for them by Europeans, it +is sometimes possible in Northern India to buy them in the bazaar; but +generally it is necessary to make a special arrangement with the grower, +as natives do not use them as a feeding grain for their own animals. They +grow the crop round the wells, and cut it green in the straw as forage for +the well and plough bullocks in the spring, when they are working hard. +Arrangements can generally be made with the cultivator to purchase so much +from him by weight, thrashed and delivered at your own stable, or else to +purchase so many acres of the standing crop as it is growing; but the +former plan is the most satisfactory, as it is astonishing the heavy crop +that will be produced;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> and, on the contrary, you will be equally +astonished to find with the other plan how light it is. The negotiations +for the supply of oats should be entered into in good time in the +spring—say about the beginning of March—as it is astonishing how slow +such matters progress in the East, and they had better be left in the +hands of your head syce. No doubt you will be cheated out of a small +amount, but you must make up your mind for this before arriving in the +East; but you will have the satisfaction of knowing that if you tried to +carry on negotiations yourself you would be cheated out of more. I have +tried both plans, and found that the syce could drive a better bargain for +both of us than when I attempted to deal direct with the cultivator.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Maize</strong> (<i>makkai</i>).</p> + +<p>Although grown all over India, maize is not much used for feeding horses; +but in South Africa, where it is known as “mealies,” it is the staple food +grain for both man and beast. In India it is said to make horses fat and +soft, but no animal in the world does harder work than a South African +post-cart horse. In all probability the reason they do well on maize is +that in the oat-hay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> forage they get there is a considerable quantity of +grain; and although I have never seen it used, the experiment of feeding +on oats and maize would be worth while trying in India. In South Africa +maize is usually given whole, but in any of the towns it can be obtained +crushed, and it is better to give it in this state. During the Afghan War +maize was plentiful in some parts of the country, and I gave it to some of +the horses that I had charge of. I had it parched on hot sand, in the same +way as barley (adarwah) is parched, making it into American pop-corn. With +certain somewhat thin and debilitated animals it had a marked effect in +getting flesh on them, and all horses eat it greedily. In India maize is a +summer crop, ripening in the autumn, when the ears or cobs are picked off +the stalks. It is stored in the cob, and the individual grains knocked off +as required by rapping them against a stick; but they must be turned over +in the heap occasionally, as rats and mice are likely to cause damage, +particularly the musk rat, that taints everything it comes into contact +with. Horses have frequently been brought to me, said to be off their +feed, and on inquiry I have found this only to be caused by the grain +being tainted by musk rats, and that when a clean feed is offered to them +they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> devour it ravenously. There are in South Africa and America a number +of varieties of maize, but in India I only know of two sorts, in one of +which the seeds are white and the other yellow, or a deep red colour. I +don’t think that there is much difference in them as far as horse food +goes, but each individual grain should be plump, and fill out the husk +well; they should be free from weevils, worms, or the marks of attacks +from rats and mice. The husk should be well filled out, and have a +shining, pearl-like, glistening appearance, and when let fall on a stone +or other hard substance give off a metallic sound. When broken open, the +grain inside should be of a pure white colour, and of a pleasant, mealy +smell, like fresh flour. If it is discoloured, it denotes that it has been +wet and fermented. Maize can be crushed by most grain-crushing machines, +also in the native mill (chuckie) if the stones are properly set; but both +in South Africa and India the natives pound it in a large wooden mortar +made out of the trunk of a tree.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Wheat</strong> (<i>ghehun</i>).</p> + +<p>Although it is not to be recommended as a food, still I have seen wheat +used when no other grain could be obtained, and it was a choice of it or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +nothing at all; and in parts of Australia, and, I believe, America, it is +regularly used as a horse food. It is commonly supposed that wheat is +almost a rank poison to horses, and will cause fever in the feet; and no +doubt with stabled animals in England it will do so, especially as the +majority of cases of this nature are from accidents—horses getting loose +and gorging themselves with wheat during the night, or when unobserved. +With animals standing out in the open and working hard, as they do in +India and the colonies, it is not so dangerous. I should not suddenly +change a horse’s feed from oats or gram to a full ration of wheat; but +when nothing else can be got, it can be given in a small quantity without +much fear of danger; but as soon as any other grain could be obtained, it +should be used.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Rice</strong> (<i>dhan</i>).</p> + +<p>In Eastern Bengal and Assam horses are fed on unhusked rice and will do +well on it. During the expedition into the Lushai Hills in 1879-80, in +many places nothing else could be got to feed the transport mules on. Gram +is not grown in that part of the country, and what little there is has to +be imported, and is at a prohibitive price. I found that animals did well +enough on an equal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> mixture of gram and rice, although at first some of +them refused it. In Japan rice is the only grain horses get, and the pack +ponies of that country are hardy beasts, and appear to work well on it. If +the rice can be crushed, it is all the better; and in Bengal and Assam +there is no difficulty in getting this done, as it is the food of the +people, and they grind it for their own use.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Millet</strong> (<i>bajara</i>).</p> + +<p>The various millets, known in South Africa as “Kaffir-corn,” are not often +used in India as horse food, but in the Cape it sometimes is. In India the +millet is a summer crop harvested in the autumn. The seeds are small, and +of a dark or greyish colour. It requires to be crushed before use, as the +husk is very hard.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Pulses</strong> (<i>dhal</i>).</p> + +<p>The various species of pulse grains enter largely into the food of the +natives of India. Two, known as “mung” and “mote,” or “moat,” are +excellent for getting flesh on thin, debilitated animals. They are both +small oblong seeds of an olive green colour, with a very hard husk, and +can be obtained in any bazaar. I prefer the mote to the mung.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> They both +require to be well boiled to the consistency of a jelly before use, and +then being well mixed in with the food, about a pound in weight of the raw +seed being enough for each feed, so that the horse gets three pounds +daily, a corresponding quantity of the other grain being withdrawn. I have +seen most excellent results in weak animals recovering from a debilitating +illness from its use, but great care must be taken that it is boiled +properly.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Linseed</strong> (<i>ulsie</i>).</p> + +<p>Linseed can be obtained all over India. In fact, a good deal of what is on +the English market comes from the East. Under certain conditions it is +useful in putting on flesh, and as a diet for convalescents; but care must +be exercised in its use, as it contains a great deal of oil, and in cases +of sickness with liver complications, which are common in a hot climate, +especially in English and Australian horses, it is to be avoided. It has +to be boiled to a jelly before use, or, better still, soak it in cold +water for some hours until soft, and then boil it. In the hot weather, +however, I prefer to use either the “mote” or “mung” to linseed.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Linseed Cake</strong> (<i>rhal</i> or <i>khal</i>).</p> + +<p>Linseed cake can be obtained in nearly every large town, and is the +residue left after the oil is expressed; but as this process is +imperfectly performed, a good deal of oil is left—much more than in the +steam-pressed English cake. It is sold by the “seer” (2 lbs. weight), but +in irregular lumps, not moulded into cakes as in Europe. Care must be +taken in buying it, as it is very likely to be musty, and adulterated with +mustard or rape seed. Both these can be easily detected by the taste or +smell, leaving a pungent odour and a sharp burning taste behind. The best +plan is to crush a small quantity of the cake and drop it into some +boiling water, when the sharp smell and taste characteristic of the +mustard and rape oil will be given off. A small quantity of linseed cake +in the food will fatten horses tremendously, but makes them soft in +condition. It is one of the articles used by native dealers to fatten +horses for sale, and at this they are most expert. When crushed it can be +mixed with the food, or boiled to make linseed tea for sick horses; and +for this latter purpose I prefer it to linseed, as there is less oil in +it, the smell of which sometimes nauseates an animal and causes him to +refuse it.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Black Gram</strong> (<i>cooltee</i>).</p> + +<p>In the Madras Presidency and Southern India black gram is used, the Bengal +white gram not being grown there. This has to be boiled before use. +Military horses are fed on it, but it is said that it makes them soft. I +have, however, no personal experience of black gram.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Preparation of Food.</strong></p> + +<p>In India it is the custom to damp the food before it is given. It should +not be saturated so as to turn it into a sloppy paste, but just damped +sufficiently to make the particles stick together. Grooms (syces) +generally deal out each feed into a bucket dry from the corn-bin, and then +damp it; but a better plan is to weigh out the whole of the amount +required for all the horses, and put it into a wide-mouthed earthen bowl +called a “naund,” that can be purchased for a few pence, or a box, such as +an old wine case, and damp the whole amount together, then portioning it +out for each animal. The reason of this is that, if the grain is damped in +the buckets, they are at once taken away, and, the probabilities are, +never cleaned; but if they have to be brought forward for each feed to be +put into them, and the owner takes the trouble now and again to inspect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +them, “syces,” who are creatures of habit, get into the way of cleaning +them before they bring them forward. The box, or naund, in which the grain +is damped being stationary, can be looked at any time. It is necessary to +be very careful about this, as the particles of food left very quickly +ferment in a hot climate, and get sour, and quickly taint all the rest. As +a rule, about ten minutes is long enough to damp grain; and this should be +done as soon before feeding as possible, otherwise, if left long standing, +it will get sour. If a horse refuses his feed, it should be at once thrown +away, and on no account be kept till the next meal, by which time it is +pretty certain to have fermented.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Horses refusing Food.</strong></p> + +<p>Some horses are delicate feeders naturally, and take a long time in +eating, or refuse their food altogether. In the case of a delicate or slow +feeder, the food should be given in small quantities and often, rather +than in the usual somewhat rather large feeds three times a day; and the +horse should be fed by himself. This is easily done in India, as nearly +all stables are loose boxes; but if the animal is picketed out with others +that are likely to teaze him, he should be taken away and fed out of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +bucket in the “compound” (garden or enclosure round the house). “Syces,” +like all natives of India, have no idea of the value of time; and if he +has his “hooka” (pipe), and a friend to talk to about the price of +food-stuffs, rates of wages, and other such-like interesting bazaar +topics, he is perfectly content to sit holding the bucket before the horse +all day long, if necessary. If the animal refuses his food altogether, +then it should be taken away, for if left standing in front of him he +breathes on it, and if it remains any considerable time it becomes sour +and fermented, and he gets disgusted with it; whereas, if taken away and +nothing more given till next feeding-time, the appetite often returns, and +the food is consumed with a relish; especially in the warm weather, if he +is first led out and exercised, or picketed out under a tree. On no +account should the feed that has been refused be kept over till the next +feeding-time; a fresh one should be prepared, as in a hot climate wet +grain ferments and turns sour in a very short space of time.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Times of Feeding.</strong></p> + +<p>The stomach of the horse is very small in proportion to the size of his +body, and he requires to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> be fed often, and in small quantities. In +England hunters are fed four, or even five, times a day. In India it is +the usual custom to feed three times, and perhaps it is often enough. In +all military stations a gun is fired at noon, and the midday feed is given +at that hour; but the morning and evening one varies with the season of +the year. I usually give only half a feed in the evening about five +o’clock, and the remainder the last thing at night, about eight or nine, +according to the season of the year; but, unless carefully watched, +“syces” will not do this, as it is the custom only to feed three times +daily, and “dastour” (custom) is a thing it is impossible to make a native +break through.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Bolting Food.</strong></p> + +<p>Some horses have a trick of bolting their food without masticating it +properly, especially if another is being fed in their company. It is a +good plan to feed such horses apart from any others, which can easily be +done in an Indian stable, as they are all loose boxes, or, if picketed out +in the open, by moving him a short distance away from the others. A small +quantity of chaff, grass, straw, or what is known as “bhoosa,” which is +wheat straw that is crushed and broken into small pieces in the process<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +of treading out the grain by bullocks, mixed in with the feed, will +usually make them masticate it properly.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Spilling Food on Ground.</strong></p> + +<p>Horses have also a trick sometimes of throwing their food out of the +bucket or manger, and spilling a quantity on the ground. Not only is a +large amount wasted, but when the animal has finished what is left, and +tries at his leisure to gather up what is on the ground, he eats a large +amount of earth and dirt with it, which is injurious. The best way I know +to prevent this is to feed the horse on a cloth on the ground; any bit of +old sacking about four feet square will answer for the purpose.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Grass.</strong></p> + +<p>In India hay is not often seen, and horses are fed on grass; even +race-horses are trained on it. This may at first sound strange, but Indian +grass is very different to English meadow grass, and chiefly consists of +the roots and runners, the actual blade of grass not being more than about +an inch long. The best grass is what is known as “dhoob.” It is a short +grass, with long roots and suckers, which is dug up out of the ground with +a short iron hoe or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> trowel, called a “kurpa,” which is used with a +scraping motion of the hand, the process being called “cheeling.” A +considerable quantity of earth is taken up with it, which ought to be +knocked off against the hoe; but as the grass is sold by weight, and the +usual quantity a private “grass-cutter” is supposed to bring in daily is +20 seers (40 lbs. weight), it is not to his advantage to clean it. If +horses eat dirty grass for any length of time, the sand and dirt, besides +damaging the teeth, is likely to accumulate in the intestines and give +rise to what is known as sand colic. When the “grass-cutter” brings in his +bundle of grass that he has collected, which he generally does at midday, +it should be spread out and cleaned; sticks and thorns should be picked +out, as they are likely to lodge in the horse’s throat and choke him, and +it should be well beaten with a stick to get rid of the sand and dirt. A +good plan is to fasten a net between the wooden framework of a “charpoy,” +or native bedstead, lay the grass on it, and beat it there with a stick, +and it is surprising what a quantity of rubbish will fall through. An old +lawn tennis net, if the meshes are not too big, answers well for this +purpose. Grass-cutters are fond of wetting the grass to make it weigh. If +it is brought in fresh, and damped with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> clean water beyond the actual +loss in weight, I do not know that it does much harm; but it is +exceedingly likely that the water has been obtained from some stagnant +dirty puddle, and the bundle has been left standing for some time so that +fermentation has set in, giving it an unpleasant smell. It is therefore +best to have the bundles at once opened out and spread in the sun to dry +as soon as they are brought in, and not allow the “grass-cutters” to take +them away to their own houses. In parts of the foot hills of the Himalayas +(“hurriarie,” or “hurrialie”) grass is obtained. It is not found in the +plains, or in the very high mountains where it is cold. It is a long +grass, running to about three feet high, and is cut with a curved sickle. +When young and green it is a capital fodder grass; but when the seed is +shed, and it gets dry, it is unfit for any other purpose than bedding, as +the stalks get very hard and brittle, and so dry that there is little or +no nourishment in it. It should not then be allowed into the stable for +any other purpose than bedding; but being much easier to collect than +“dhoob” grass, the “grass-cutters” will bring it as long as they are +allowed to, even when it resembles nothing more than a bundle of sticks. I +have frequently heard owners of horses in the hills complain of their +animals getting thin and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> out of condition, the cause of which on inquiry +was simply due to the bad dry hurrialie grass that was brought for them to +eat.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Churrie.</strong></p> + +<p>This is the dried stalk of one of the shorgum tribe of plants, which is +also known as the Chinese sugar-cane. It is a summer crop cut in the +autumn. It grows to five or six feet high, and is cut and stored by the +natives as a fodder for the cattle. It would to the new-comer appear to be +a most unsuitable article of food, but is full of saccharine matter, +tasting quite sweet when chewed in the mouth, so much so that in parts a +rough sugar is extracted from it, but to look at is like a bundle of dried +reeds. Animals of all sorts are very fond of it, and I have frequently fed +my horses on it for days together in out-of-the-way places where no grass +was to be obtained. It is not used as a regular horse fodder, but it does +well for it on a pinch.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Bhoosa.</strong></p> + +<p>In the East all grain is threshed out by the primitive process of putting +it in a circle and driving bullocks round on it, and in this process the +grain is trodden out of the ear, the straw being split<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> and broken up by +the animals’ feet into small fragments from one-eighth to two or three +inches in length, which is called “bhoosa.” This is the staple food of the +working cattle, and is also used for horses. It is a most important item +of the crop, and in the rural economy of an Indian village almost as much +is thought of it as the grain itself. Wheat and barley straw makes what is +called “white bhoosa,” and gram and the various pulses “missa bhoosa.” +Both these can be used as horse food; in fact, on the Afghan frontier they +get nothing else, and many natives feed their animals entirely on it, +never giving them grass; but although they will eat it, and for a time +keep condition, it is not to be recommended. If it has to be used, and it +is possible to obtain any grass, they should be mixed together. A small +quantity of “bhoosa” mixed in the feed will make a greedy feeder masticate +it. “White bhoosa” looks like badly chopped straw-chaff. “Missa bhoosa” is +of a dark colour, the particles not being straight-like sticks, but bent +about, and frequently there are a quantity of the leaves of the plant +mixed with it. Care should be taken that both sorts are not mouldy, which +is very apt to be the case, as the native farmers store it in large +quantities during the winter, and when the new crop comes on, if there is +any of last<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> year’s left, it is what they try and sell. Being stacked in +the open, it is exceedingly likely to get damaged by the rain. “Bhoosa” +should have a clean, fresh smell like sweet straw, not be discoloured or +have any patches of mould about it, and be free from impurities such as +sticks, thorns, or pieces of mud or stones.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Bamboo Leaves</strong> (<i>bāns</i>).</p> + +<p>In Eastern Bengal, Assam, and parts of Burma, the green leaves and young +shoots of the bamboo are used for forage. During the Chin-Lushai +Expedition in 1889-90, the animals with the force got nothing else for +nearly eight months. I had three ponies of my own that were worked +moderately hard the whole time, and they remained in good condition. The +transport mules, which were worked very hard indeed in a very trying +climate, did not fall away nearly as much as I expected. The young shoots +and leaves are cut with a sort of a billhook, called a “dah,” and care +must be taken that only the young green leaves and soft tender shoots are +given, the old leaves and the edges of the dry stumps of the bamboo +cutting like a razor. I have seen some bad wounds on the lips, tongue, and +angles of the mouth from this cause. It is best<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> to make the “syces” and +“grass-cutters” pluck the leaves off the branches altogether, and not +leave them about the stable, for fear of wounding the horses. This they +will readily do, as they use the <i>débris</i> for fuel. I have seen some bad +cuts and injuries in both men and animals from the edges of the split +bamboo, which are very sharp—so much so that the savage tribes on the +eastern frontier use a properly split piece of bamboo for a knife in +skinning animals; and the sap of the green bamboo appears to have a +peculiarly irritating or poisonous action, a wound caused by it festering +and suppurating in both man and beast, whereas one inflicted with a dry +bamboo will heal up healthy. Horses require a larger amount of bamboo +leaves than grass. If an animal is getting 20 lbs. of green “dhoob” grass +daily, he will require 30 lbs. of bamboo leaves to keep him in condition. +Although at first horses may refuse them, they take to them kindly after a +little while.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Oat Hay Forage.</strong></p> + +<p>In the South African colonies grass hay is almost unknown. The oat is cut +when about half ripe, dried, and given in the straw, in which condition it +is known as forage, and is excellent feeding. It is usually sold in +bundles, wholesale at so much per<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> hundred, and retail at hotels and +livery stables at so many bundles for a shilling. Some years ago, when I +was travelling in the Dutch part of South Africa, in the more +out-of-the-way parts of which there are no hotels, it was the custom to +ask the owner of the farmhouse where you arrived permission to +“off-saddle” if you were riding, or “out-span” if driving, for the night +or a couple of hours, as the case might be. This was a roundabout way of +asking if he could put you and your animals up for the night. When leaving +in the morning, it would have been a great breach of good manners to ask +for your bill, but you inquired what you were indebted to his head-boy for +the forage your horses had consumed—a polite way of asking for your +account; the number of bundles per shilling varying according to the time +you remained, and the accommodation you had received; but, notwithstanding +this fiction, I did not, as a rule, find the total any less than in a +regular hotel where you get your bill.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Hay.</strong></p> + +<p>Hay, as is known in Europe and Australia, is never seen in India. In some +parts, what is called hay can be obtained; but, compared to English meadow +hay, it is at the best but poor stuff. No<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> doubt hay of a very tolerable +quality can be made in India; in fact, I have done so, but usually the +grass is cut after the plant has flowered, the seed ripened and shed, when +it is what is known as “the sap being down,” and then it is dry and with +little nourishment in it. It is generally also allowed to lie out too long +after it has been cut in a hot, powerful sun, which utterly bakes it up. +The grass should be cut when the seed is green and the sap well up in it, +and should not be allowed to remain too long drying. I have generally +found that from eight to ten hours of the Indian sun was enough, so that +grass cut in the morning should be stacked at night; it will then not be +utterly dried up, and in the stack will undergo the process of +fermentation that gives the characteristic smell to English hay. There is +a certain amount of difficulty in doing this. The grass flowers and seeds +at the end of the hot weather, about September, when the monsoon rains are +on, and these sometimes last for days together. It is, therefore, +sometimes difficult to get a fine day to cut and save the hay in before +the seed is shed; and before the dry weather again sets in the sap has +gone down, and there is but little nutriment left in the grass. It is not +a bad plan to sprinkle some salt over each layer of hay as the stack is +made up;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> horses eat this cured hay with great relish. In making up the +stack, a bundle or two of straw, put on end from the bottom upwards, +should be built into the centre of it as it is being raised up, to act as +a chimney or ventilator to carry off the heat while the stack is +fermenting. If this is not done, there is danger of its catching fire; and +even if it should not heat to such a degree, part is likely to get +discoloured—what is termed “mow-burned.” This chimney can be made with +bundles of sticks, boards, or even stones; but sick horses will often eat +the straw from the centre of a haystack when they won’t look at anything +else, and it sometimes comes in useful, and in any event, is not wasted. +The stack should be built on a foundation of brambles, stones, or a mud +platform—the latter being the best—to raise it and protect it from +damage by the rains, which at times come in a regular flood, and also to +keep out rats, mice, and other vermin. When the stack gets down to the +bottom, care should be exercised in handling it, as it is a great refuge +for snakes, and I have seen one fatal accident from snake bite from this +cause. It, then, is a good plan to make the men remove the hay in small +quantities at a time with a hay-fork, which is easily made by fastening a +couple of short sticks converging from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> each other on to a long bamboo; +but natives are such fatalists that, no matter how much warned of the +danger they are incurring, they will not take the commonest precautions as +to their safety if it gives them a little extra trouble. A somewhat larger +quantity of dry grass is required than green “dhoob” by weight, the +proportion being about 15 to 20 lbs. respectively.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Green Food</strong> (<i>khawid</i>, or <i>khasil</i>).</p> + +<p>In the spring of the year in India it is common to give horses green +wheat, oats, or barley. This is cut in the straw from the time it is about +a foot high until the grain begins to ripen, a period that lasts about a +month or six weeks in the Punjab—from the middle of February till the end +of March. This green food is called by the natives “khawid,” or “khasil.” +It has an excellent effect on the system, and is what is used by the +native dealers to get their horses into condition for sale. Too large a +quantity should not be given at first, as it is likely to cause +diarrhœa; about 4 lbs. daily being sufficient at first, but it may be +increased up to double this amount if it agrees with the animal. Care +should be taken that the green food is only given when young and the straw +tender, for when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> it gets ripe, and the straw woody and hard, it is very +indigestible, and a common cause of intestinal obstruction and colic. In +some parts green barley is given in the same manner, and when it is young +it is as good as wheat or oats; but when it begins to ripen it should be +stopped, as the awns or beards begin to get hard, and not only are they +likely to choke the horse, but to cause dangerous intestinal obstruction. +Oats can be given much longer than barley or wheat; in fact, as I have +said, ripe oats are cut in the straw, and used as hay in many parts of the +world. The green crop must be purchased standing from a cultivator, and +this is best arranged through your head “syce.” It is sold by measurement, +a patch in the field being marked out; or else the grass-cutters go and +cut as much as is required daily, the whole amount used being afterwards +measured up and paid for at the fixed bazaar rate, or, as it is termed, +the “nirrick.”</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Green Gram.</strong></p> + +<p>Natives are very fond of giving horses green gram, but it is a most +dangerous custom. It is most indigestible, the stalk when green being full +of a strong tough fibre. The sap and leaves have a peculiar irritating or +almost corrosive property, and in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> spring of the year many fatal cases +of intestinal disease are caused by it.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Carrots</strong> (<i>gajar</i>).</p> + +<p>Carrots are plentiful all over Northern India. They come on in the spring, +and are an excellent green food. They can be bought very cheaply, and if +kept in a cool, dry place, can be stored for a considerable time; but they +require to be turned almost daily, or they will get rotten. When used they +should either be washed to remove the earth, or, as in the East this is +quite dry, knocked with a stick to remove it. They should be given whole, +or else cut into long slices, not across into lumps. This latter practice +is dangerous, as horses are thus inclined to bolt them whole, and the +short round lump is likely to stick in the throat and cause choking.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Lucerne.</strong></p> + +<p>Lucerne grows well all over Northern India, and although not cultivated by +the natives for their own use, they know perfectly well what it is, and +call it by the English name. In most of the towns where there are any +Europeans collected together, it is usual to grow it in the Government or +station<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> garden, from where it can be purchased retail. Some native corps, +who remain some time in the one place, also grow it for the benefit of the +regiment, and sometimes it is possible to obtain some from them; but as a +rule they only have enough for their own use. Round the large military +cantonments in some places, the neighbouring farmers, finding that there +is a demand for it, have taken to growing it for sale, and it can be +bought in the bazaar; but as the supply is not certain, it is better to +enter into a contract with one of the growers to supply the quantity by +weight daily required. In making this bargain it is best to use the agency +of the head “syce,” as if it falls short, or is not forthcoming, he can be +made responsible; and natives being erratic creatures, it is quite +possible that some morning you may be told that there is no more, or that +the grower has sold his crop to some one else, perhaps at even a smaller +price than you are giving. Whenever there is a well in the compound, and I +have been long enough in one place, I have always grown as much as I could +for myself. It is easily done, and there is no more useful crop in +connection with an Indian stable. In the dry, hot weather the difference +in the condition of horses that are getting a fairly liberal supply of +green food, and those that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> are only getting the burned-up grass that is +then procurable, is most marked. The only difficulty about growing lucerne +is that at first a large supply of water is necessary until the roots +strike. If you have a garden, then, of course, you have to keep a pair of +bullocks to raise water from the well for irrigation purposes; but if you +do not run to this luxury, then a pair of bullocks can be hired for two or +three days in the week. The landlord of the house has to keep the well and +the Persian wheel, by which the water is raised, in order, and find the +first pair of ropes for it. The tenant has to find the earthen pots, or +“chatties,” that are fastened on to it, by which the water is raised up. +These “chatties” are cheap things enough, but they are easily broken. I +always found that the best plan was to provide the first lot myself, and +then give a small sum monthly to the gardener to keep them going; and it +saved money in the end, as I found that not nearly so many were smashed +under this system as when I paid for what were required. If a gardener is +regularly employed, it is, of course, part of his business to look after +the lucerne bed; but for an ordinary stable of, say, four or five animals, +an acre of lucerne will be ample, and a man exclusively for this is not +necessary. A gardener can be got for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> about Rs. 10 a month, but a man can +be got to come two or three times a week and look after it for half this. +I found, however, that if I gave it to one of the syces, that the women +and children of his family would attend to it, as, when once started, it +only requires weeding, and that the work was better done than by a +professional gardener, unless one was regularly employed. The best seed is +the acclimatized English, or the Cabul brought down from Afghanistan. The +English seed can be obtained from any seedsman, or the Government +Horticultural Gardens at Lahore or Saharunpore, at about a rupee a pound, +and this is enough to sow about an acre with, which should be done at the +end of the cold weather. If only a small quantity is grown, it is best to +sow it on ridges, as it then, no doubt, can be kept free from weeds, and +the cost of weeding, on an acre or two, is but trifling; but it is an +error to suppose that lucerne cannot be sown broadcast. At the cattle farm +at Hissar, in the Punjab, several hundred acres were grown in this way, as +the cost of making ridges on such a large quantity of land would have been +prohibitive. Of course, this lucerne was not so clean as if it had been +grown on ridges, but the cattle picked it out from the weeds when it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +put before them. Fresh seed will have to be sown about every three years, +and the crop may be cut about five or six times during the season. About 4 +lbs. is enough for a horse, but it is best to begin with half this +quantity and gradually increase it, as if too large an amount is given at +once it is likely to cause colic.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Guinea Grass.</strong></p> + +<p>Some years ago this was a very favourite grass forage to grow for horses, +but lately lucerne has supplanted it, and, I think, rightly. The advantage +of guinea grass is that it lasts through the hottest months of the year, +which lucerne does not, but it requires a great deal of water. It grows in +separate tufts, and they should be planted some distance apart, or +otherwise they will crowd each other out.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Sugar Cane</strong> (<i>gunna</i>).</p> + +<p>Sugar cane is not often used as an actual food, but horses are very fond +of it, and on my visits to the stable I usually had some pieces carried +after me in a basket when it was in season. It ripens at the end of the +summer, and lasts into the winter. It is sold in long sticks, and should +be chopped up into pieces; but the servants will steal it, as they eat it +themselves as a sweetmeat.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Turnips</strong> (<i>shalgham</i>).</p> + +<p>The ordinary white turnip grows all over the Punjab in the winter, and +when carrots are not to be procured, I have used them in their place, +preparing them in the same manner. Horses soon learn to eat and relish +them.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Salt</strong> (<i>nimmuk</i>).</p> + +<p>Salt is required by all animals in a certain quantity in their food to +keep them in health. There are three different varieties sold in the +native shops. Rock salt (“putter ke nimmuk”); ordinary salt, which is +merely the rock salt crushed and powdered; and black salt (“kali nimmuk”). +On the coast sea salt can also be obtained, but it is not to be found far +inland. The common custom in India is to give powdered salt in the food, +the usual daily allowance being about an ounce. I prefer to leave a lump +of rock salt in the manger for the horse to lick when he likes. Some +owners have a lump of it hung by a string to the wall, but I do not think +this is advisable, as I have known more than one horse turn a wind-sucker +from getting into the habit of licking and playing with it.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Tonics.</strong></p> + +<p>It is a common supposition, deeply rooted in the minds of horsemen, that, +when a horse loses condition, he at once requires a tonic; and an immense +number of these and “condition powders” are advertised. There is no better +paying speculation in the world than the sale of these articles, as the +majority of them consist of a few cheap and simple ingredients, that are +retailed to the public at a hundred per cent. their original cost; and the +best that can be said about these nostrums is that some of them are +innocent and do no harm, while they serve to amuse the owner. The action +of a tonic is to stimulate the appetite, and if the horse is feeding well +they are certainly useless, if not actually harmful. If the horse feeds, +and continues to fall off in condition, the chances are that there is +something wrong in the stable management, which should be carefully +inquired into. If this only occurs once with one animal, the inference is +that medical advice is required, but if several are in the same state, or +it is a matter of constant occurrence, then in most cases a change of +“syce” is required, and it will be usually found better and cheaper than +having recourse to any of these various advertised “cure-alls.”</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Horses not Feeding.</strong></p> + +<p>Horses refuse their food from a variety of causes. It is usually the first +symptom noticed in the majority of attacks of illness, and I cannot too +strongly urge that in such cases the sooner professional advice is +obtained the better, there being nothing in which the old proverb, “a +stitch in time saves nine,” more applies to. On the other hand, horse +owners are inclined to get very anxious without cause about horses not +feeding, and to imagine that because he refuses to feed, or does not +finish it up with a good appetite, that the animal is in a dangerous +state. Horses are much like ourselves, and we all know that we sometimes +do not feel inclined to do justice to a “square” meal, and that if we dine +off a plate of soup we feel ready for a good breakfast in the morning. If +the horse refuses his feed, or only plays about with it, have it at once +removed; at the next only give him a little hay or grass, and the +probabilities are that at the next he will eat up his grain with a hearty +appetite. If he does not, then the sooner professional advice is called in +the better, as you may be certain that something is wrong.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Damaged Food.</strong></p> + +<p>Damaged, mouldy, or sour food, the horse, of course, will not eat unless +he is very hungry, and then only sufficient to stay his appetite. Damaged +grain there is no excuse for, and can only be given through carelessness +or indifference on the part of the owner or his servants. Sour food, or +food that has fermented, is, with the best intentions, likely to be placed +before the animal, as it is surprising how soon fermentation will set up +in damp grain in a hot climate. The food should not be damped more than +twenty minutes or half an hour at the most before it is given, and a dirty +bucket will easily contaminate it. In the hot weather in India, +particularly during the rains, when both man and beast are down below par, +very little will put both off their feed. If the food, however, is at all +sour it ought to be at once detected, as the smell is unmistakable.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Irregular Teeth.</strong></p> + +<p>In old horses the back teeth get irregular and worn in such a fashion that +the food cannot be masticated and crushed, and is not then properly +digested. The upper jaw of the horse is wider than the lower one, so that +the upper teeth overlap the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> lower ones at the outside, and the lower ones +the upper at the inside. By continually wearing, the upper back teeth get +worn down more on the inside than the outside, and the lower ones more on +the outside than the inside, or, in other words, the grinding surface of +the teeth, instead of being horizontal, is at an angle or slope. The horse +masticates his food with a sideways motion of the jaws, crushing the food +between the back teeth like mill-stones, so that if the grinding surfaces +of the teeth are not level, but sloped at an angle, they become locked, +and prevent sufficient sideways play of the jaws. If this is suspected, +the back teeth can be easily inspected by turning the horse with his tail +to the sun, grasping the tongue with the left hand and opening the mouth, +while the light is reflected into it by a small looking-glass held in the +right. They can also be felt by putting one’s hand on the outside of the +cheek, where the outer edge of the upper teeth can be easily felt, and +pushing the finger inwards and upwards, so as to get on the grinding +surface when the horse opens his mouth, and the angle they are at can be +at once detected through the cheek. This is, of course, only a rough +method of examination, but it gives one a fair idea of the state the +molars are in. If a tooth is broken or deficient, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> corresponding one +in the other jaw from not being worn down will become over-grown and fill +up the vacant space, even growing so long as to damage the gum or bone in +the jaw above or below it, as the case may be, and preventing the horse +feeding. If it is one of the front molars, it is possible that the growth +may be detected from outside, but the probabilities are that a more +careful examination will be necessary, and, at all events, professional +skill required to set matters right. Horses also suffer from decayed +teeth; and, in fact, the whole matter of equine dentistry is much more +important than is usually supposed, many animals remaining poor and thin +simply because their teeth are not properly attended to.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Young Horses Cutting Teeth.</strong></p> + +<p>Young horses sometimes have great trouble when cutting their teeth, and if +they go off their feed they should be attended to; but this requires +professional skill.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Quidding.</strong></p> + +<p>When young horses begin to what is called “quid” their food, it is almost +a certain indication that there is something wrong with the mouth. +“Quidding”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> is gathering up a mouthful of hay or grass, rolling it about +in the mouth, and half masticating it till it gets into a lump or ball, +and then spitting it out without swallowing it. Sometimes a dozen or more +of these “quids” will be found in the manger or on the stable floor.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Indigestion</strong> (<i>bud hazmie</i>).</p> + +<p>Indigestion, or dyspepsia, which horses suffer from more commonly than the +public imagine, will put them off their feed; but this is a matter for +professional advice and treatment, and it is exceedingly dangerous for the +owner to go trying domestic remedies. I have had many fatal cases of bowel +diseases brought to me that have arisen solely from this cause.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Lampas.</strong></p> + +<p>This is a disorder that is firmly fixed in every groom’s mind, both +European and native, and is supposed to consist of a swelling or +inflammation of the palate, or “barbs,” just behind the upper incisor +teeth. I do not deny for a moment the existence of such a thing, but what +I do maintain is that in 75 per cent. of the cases brought to one,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> it +exists only in the imagination of the attendant. The popular remedy some +years ago was to cauterize the part with a hot iron, and I have no +hesitation in saying that any one doing this should be indicted for +cruelty to animals. Lately, the popular treatment has been more merciful +in having the part scarified with a lancet, but even this is useless. +Where lampas does exist, there is more or less enlargement and swelling of +the membrane of the entire alimentary canal, but the “barbs” of the mouth +being the only part visible, it is popularly supposed to be a local +affection. Under these conditions, it will be readily understood how +utterly useless lancing or scarifying one small part of the affected canal +will be. A small dose of aperient medicine, or even putting the horse on a +laxative diet of bran mash for a few days, will do all that is required, +without having recourse to heroic measures.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Nose-bags</strong> (<i>tobra</i>).</p> + +<p>Nose-bags are sadly neglected by “syces,” and unless looked after by the +owner, they never dream of cleaning them, so that, particularly with +leather ones, they get into a very filthy condition, and frequently horses +refuse to eat out of such dirty things. Both mangers and nose-bags should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +frequently be washed and scrubbed out with soap, or sand and water. +Nose-bags are, at the best, a necessary evil, and if they have to be used +at all, canvas ones are better than leather, being more easily cleaned. I +only allowed nose-bags to be used when on the march, or out in camp; when +in the stable the horses were fed out of an ordinary bucket, or else a +manger, and even then they were not fastened on the head, but held on the +ground.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Mangers</strong> (<i>kurlie</i>).</p> + +<p>In the stable a manger should be used. In an Indian stable one is easily +made out of a shallow, wide-mouthed earthen vessel (“gumalo”), built up +with mud, about three feet high, in the corner. The “syces” can do this +themselves, and the gumalo only costs a few pence in the bazaar. I always +had two built in opposite corners, one for food and the other for water. +If for any reason the manger cannot be built, or there is not one in the +stable, then the horse should be fed out of a tin or zinc bucket, or else +off a feeding-sheet. An old gunney-bag, spread out opened at the seams, +answers admirably. The “syce” should hold the bucket or sheet while he is +feeding, or the horse is very likely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> to knock the first over, or tear the +sheet, by pawing at it with his fore feet.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Worms</strong> (<i>kirim</i>).</p> + +<p>Parasites, or worms, in the intestines cause horses to lose condition very +quickly. The most common are long white ones, like ordinary earthworms, +about five to eight inches long; and small, very thin thread-like ones, +about three inches long. They cause the horse to become very unthrifty and +thin, the coat being dull, without the natural gloss that is seen in +health, or as it is termed, “hide-bound.” The horse is also apt to back up +against any projection, or into a corner, and rub his tail against the +wall, breaking off the hair, and giving it an unsightly appearance. If +worms are suspected, the “syce” should be instructed to look for them in +the horse’s droppings in the morning, where the long ones are most likely +to be found; also to examine under his dock, where the small ones will +leave a yellowish incrustation under the root of the tail. An enema of +common salt and water, made by dissolving about a table-spoonful of salt +in a quart of luke-warm water, generally suffices to get rid of the small +ones. The large ones, however, require medical treatment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> which should be +left in professional hands. If there are any worms passed, the litter, +droppings, etc., should be carefully burned, and the floor of the stable +scraped and the <i>débris</i> burned, and a new floor laid down.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Rubbing the Tail.</strong></p> + +<p>Although commonly due to parasites in the intestines, “particularly the +small thread-worms,” with some horses it is a trick; neglect also, and the +irritation caused by dirt, will often cause it. In India it is more often +seen in coarse-bred horses, such as many Australians are, than in +country-breds and Arabs. If it is from dirt, washing the tail well with +soap and water will stop it; if it is a trick, keeping the tail in a +tail-case, which is merely a piece of leather, with buckles and straps to +fasten it on with; or an ordinary roller bandage put round from the tip to +the root will generally stop it.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Scouring</strong> (<i>dāst</i>).</p> + +<p>Scouring, or diarrhœa, is usually seen in nervous horses when they get +excited, and, as a rule, disappears when they get quiet again. It is more +commonly seen in light-coloured, or what the horseman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> calls “washey,” +chestnuts and blacks, than any other colour. Some horses will always scour +after a draught of cold water, and with such the chill should be taken off +either by adding a little warm water, or standing the bucket out in the +sun for a couple of hours before it is used. If the scouring persists, +after returning to the stable, let the next feed consist of dry bran, not +“bran mash,” and this generally stops it. If a horse that is not in the +habit of doing so suddenly begins scouring, it is a mistake to try and +stop it too suddenly, as frequently it is an effort of nature to throw off +something deleterious to the system. If, however, the diarrhœa should +continue persistent, then professional advice should be obtained.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="WATER" id="WATER"></a>WATER.</h2> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Water</strong> (<i>pani</i>).</p> + +<p>Horses prefer soft to hard water, and are particularly partial to +rain-water. Many horses refuse to drink at all from a running stream, +unless very thirsty, and even then will not take as much as is necessary. +Mules, which in other respects are hardy animals, are very dainty and +particular about their water. Such horses should be watered either out of +a bucket or a still pool. In mountain and quick running streams there is +often a large quantity of sand and small gravel held in suspension, that +sinks to the bottom in places where the current runs slow. I have seen +more than one death caused by constantly watering horses in such streams, +by the animal swallowing a quantity of such sand; it accumulates in large +masses in the intestines, and causes “sand colic.” If it is necessary to +water horses from such places for any length of time, if a suitable pool +cannot be found where the water is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> still and the sand and gravel can +settle, one should be made by building a dam.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Times of Watering.</strong></p> + +<p>Horses should be watered half an hour before feeding, or, if this cannot +be managed, at least two hours should elapse after the feed before he is +allowed to drink his fill. The reason of this is that the hard grain the +horse eats is only partly crushed and broken by the teeth, and it is in +the stomach where it is principally softened before passing on into the +intestines. If, when the stomach is full of partly digested food, a large +quantity of water is given, some of it will be washed into the intestine, +and, being hard, and not properly softened, irritate it and set up colic. +The best plan is to always have water in front of the horse, so that he +can drink when he likes, and I have found that they take much less this +way than when watered at regular times. In India this can be easily done +by building up in mud a wide-mouthed, shallow, earthen vessel, called a +“gumalo,” in one corner of the stable, in the same way that a manger is +made. It should be high enough for the horse to conveniently reach it, and +be kept constantly full.</p> + + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Watering Troughs.</strong></p> + +<p>When horses are watered at a trough or stream, as is necessarily the case +with military animals, if they are thirsty they push their noses deep into +it and drink greedily. They then lift their heads and look round them, and +many persons think they have finished. This is not the case, as the horse +is merely recovering his breath after his draught, and he should not be +taken away until he either turns round and will drink no more, or until he +begins to splash the water about with his nose and play with it, which +shows he does not want any more.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Watering on a Journey.</strong></p> + +<p>It is commonly supposed that when on a journey horses should not be +watered, but, in a warm climate, as long as only a steady pace is +maintained and only a moderate quantity given, it does not do any harm, +and, to judge from one’s own experiences, certainly is refreshing. Of +course, this must be done in moderation, like everything; and it +undoubtedly would be dangerous to allow a horse to drink his fill and then +give him a hard gallop directly afterwards; but, in both the South African +and Australian colonies, I have travelled some hundreds of miles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> in +post-carts and coaches, and the drivers at pretty nearly every stream they +cross pull up and allow the horses to drink a few mouthfuls. I have never +heard of any harm coming from this practice, and at the end of the journey +they drink far less water than if they had been deprived of it while at +work. In Norway, the carriole drivers water their ponies in the same way, +and it is icy-cold coming from the glaciers.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Watering after a Journey.</strong></p> + +<p>When the journey is completed, it is advisable to walk the horse about for +a short time, to allow him to get cool before watering; or, better still, +and what every practical horseman will do, is to pull up and allow him to +walk the last mile, so that he arrives at his stable fairly cool, and not +reeking with perspiration. Grooming also will be greatly facilitated by +this.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Watering Bridles</strong> (<i>kazai</i>).</p> + +<p>Watering bridles are generally very much neglected, “syces” (grooms) never +seeming to think that they require any care or attention. They are +generally a mass of rust and dirt, and having one of these filthy things +put into the mouth, is a much more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> common cause of horses going off their +feed than is generally supposed. They are frequently thrown out on the +heap of bedding, and left in the sun all day, and when put into the +horse’s mouth the iron of the bit is burning hot. I consider that this is +one of the chief reasons of the sores that so frequently form at the +angles of the mouth in the summer months, and which are most troublesome +to cure. The bit of the watering bridle should be scrubbed daily with sand +until it is polished, and the leather-work cleaned with soap (sabon) or +dubbing (momrogan); if this is not done, it very soon perishes with the +heat and becomes rotten, and if a horse is at all fresh and plays about, +it breaks, the animal gets loose, and a serious accident is the result of +the want of a little forethought.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Leeches</strong> (<i>jonk</i>).</p> + +<p>In India leeches frequently get into the nose while the horse is drinking, +especially out of ponds and streams, and although they are not absolutely +dangerous, they cause troublesome bleeding, and make the animal cough and +sneeze. They are sometimes very difficult to get rid off, and the best +plan is to place some water in a bucket before the horse and splash it +about. The leech is attracted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> by this, and comes down the nostril, when +it can be caught if the operator is quick enough. A handkerchief is +necessary, as the leech is too slippery to hold in the fingers. It is +generally best to let one of the “syces” do this, promising him a small +reward when the nuisance is got rid of, as some of them are wonderfully +expert at it, and have untiring patience.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Wells.</strong></p> + +<p>In some Indian towns there is a water supply laid on to the houses by +pipes, but in the majority it is obtained from a well (khua) in the +compound. In these cases a water-carrier (“bheestie”) has to be kept to +draw and carry water for the household and stables, which he brings in a +leather bag; “mussuk,” the small leather bucket that he uses to fill the +bag with, being called a “dholl.” These water-bags should be renewed twice +a year, as they get very foul inside if kept much longer, and they are +only worth about Rs. 2 each. Very few people ever think of cleaning out +the well, but it should be done at least once a year, as it is surprising +the amount of rubbish, such as dead leaves and vegetation, gets into it. +The landlord of the house should undertake this, but it is generally +difficult to get him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> to do it without the tenant threatening to do it +himself and deduct the cost out of the rent. There are professional +well-cleaners in Northern India, who will do the work by contract. As a +rule, it takes about three days, as the well has to be pumped dry by +working the lifting wheel with relays of bullocks day and night, when a +man goes down and removes the accumulation of rubbish from the bottom. +Care should be taken to first lower down a lighted candle, or throw a +bundle of lighted straw down before any one is allowed to descend, as +there is frequently an accumulation of foul gas at the bottom, and I have +known more than one accident from neglect of this precaution. Unless I had +very good reason for knowing that the well had been lately cleaned, I +always had this done on going into a new house. If this is neglected, the +water during the rainy season is apt to get very foul, and I have known +severe outbreaks of illness from this cause both in men and animals.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="VENTILATION" id="VENTILATION"></a>AIR AND VENTILATION.</h2> + + +<p> </p><p><strong>Stables.</strong></p> + +<p>Nothing is worse for horses than close, ill-ventilated stables, and in +India, where they are made out of such cheap material as mud and sun-dried +brick, there is no excuse for their being too small. In some of the newer +houses, stables are made out of burned brick; but I prefer the older ones +of mud or sun-dried brick, as the walls are generally thicker, and this +makes them cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It is also of +importance that they should not be too low, but of the two evils I should +prefer a small stable with a lofty roof to a larger one with a low one, +provided there was ventilation in the top. Every stable should have a good +deep verandah round it; it not only keeps off the sun in the summer, but +is useful to put bedding, etc., in during the rain. If there is no +verandah, one can be easily made with the flat straw screens used by +natives, called “jamps,” and bamboo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> supports. The doorways should be high +and wide, so that there is no danger of the horse hitting his hips or head +against it in going in and out. A fractured hip-bone is frequently caused +by horses rushing through narrow doorways, and a troublesome disease known +as “poll evil” is generally caused by striking the head against too low a +one. It is also well to have the sides of the door-posts rounded off, not +left at an angle. If there is no window at the back of the stable, +opposite the door, one should be made above the horse’s head, and another +smaller one on a level with the floor, so as to allow the air to circulate +freely. If possible, avoid a draught, but always remember that it is +better to have plenty of fresh air and a draught than a stuffy stable +without one, as the horse can always be kept warm with extra clothing, +bandages, and bedding. Thatched roofs are much cooler in summer and warmer +in winter than the flat earthen ones that are generally used in Northern +India. Indian stables are almost always divided off into loose boxes, the +partition walls being continued up to the roof. I think they should be +only built high enough to prevent the horses teasing each other over them, +as if continued right up they interfere with the free circulation of the +air. If this cannot be done, on account of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> the partitions helping to +support the roof, a window should be knocked through in each. In South +Africa stables are usually simply a long shed with a manger running down +the back wall, without any partitions between the standings, and the +horses are simply tied up to a ring in the manger with the head rope. Cape +horses are, however, exceedingly quiet, and will stand still all day long. +They never seem to think of kicking or biting at each other like the +Indian country-bred does.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Chicks.</strong></p> + +<p>The plague of flies in the East, particularly during the rains, cannot be +realized in England, and if not protected against them, they will almost +worry horses to death. For this reason the doors and windows of the stable +should be fitted with “chicks,” or mats, made out of split bamboos or +reeds, with interspaces between them, which allow of light and air passing +through, but which will keep the flies out. They are not very costly +articles, and add most materially to the comfort of the horse. If +carefully looked after, and not let flap about in the wind, they will last +for years with a very small annual expenditure for repairs.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Stable Floors.</strong></p> + +<p>The stable floor should be made of wet clay beaten down, and left to +thoroughly dry. This can be carried out by the “syces,” and if thoroughly +done, they will last a good many months. I always make it a practice to +dig up the floors of stables in a new house, before they are occupied, a +foot and a half deep, and thoroughly renew it, and usually it is +astounding the amount of foul earth that has to be removed. I also have +the whole of the floor picked up and renewed once a year—for choice, at +the end of September or beginning of October, after the rains have +stopped. Any moisture should be at once removed, before it has time to +soak into the floor; or, if it has, the moist earth should be swept away +with a broom (jaru), made out of a number of pliable twigs tied together, +and fresh dry earth sprinkled over the top of it. A supply of dry powdered +earth should be kept outside each stable door in a box ready for use when +required. The ordinary earth that is in the compound will not do to make +floors out of, although “syces” will use it if allowed, as it is less +trouble to get than clay (kicher ke muttee), but it will not bind, and +when trodden on breaks up and wears into dust.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Charcoal</strong> (<i>khoalie</i>).</p> + +<p>Although it looks dirty, powdered charcoal sprinkled over the floor has a +powerful effect as a deodorizer. The ashes of a wood fire do nearly as +well as charcoal for this purpose, and can be obtained anywhere, as wood +is universally used for fuel all over India. In some stables earthenware +vessels (chatties) are buried under the floor to catch the urine. This is +an abominable, filthy custom, and should never be permitted, as there is +no more certain cause of disease. Diseases of the feet, such as foul +smelling, suppurating frogs, thrush, and canker, are in the majority of +cases caused by horses standing on wet, filthy floors.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Picketing.</strong></p> + +<p>In the hot season horses should, if possible, be picketed out at night as +soon as it gets cool in the evening. It is the greatest relief to an +animal to be brought out of a hot stable into the open air, even if the +actual temperature is no less than indoors. If the flies or mosquitos are +troublesome, the nets sold for the purpose will keep them off. If the net +is not sufficient, a fire made out of the stable litter on the windward +side will drive them away, and horses do not mind smoke. It is as well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> to +have a regular standing made with mud, in the same way as the stable +flooring, as otherwise the ground soon gets broken up and foul. The +standing should be swept clean every morning, and mended in the same way +as the stable floors are.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Bedding</strong> (<i>bechalie</i>).</p> + +<p>There is nothing better than clean straw for bedding, and it is a great +mistake to stint horses in it. If a good deep bed is given, they will lie +down and rest themselves, whereas, if there is not enough, and the floor +feels hard through it, they will walk about over it, and far more will be +wasted than if the horse was lying down on it. The bedding should be taken +up every morning, and any soiled straw removed. It should be well shaken +up and spread out in the sun to dry and air, and at night, when again put +down for use, a small quantity of fresh straw added to it. In wet weather +the bedding can be aired and dried in the verandah. All soiled straw and +droppings should be at once removed in a basket (tokrie), which should be +provided for the purpose; and it is wonderful, if this plan is adopted, +how little fresh straw is required to keep the horse constantly supplied +with a good bed; and nothing is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> more saving to the wear and tear of the +legs and feet than to get the animal to lie down at night. In Australia +and South Africa wheat or oat straw can be obtained, but in India rice +straw is generally used, or else the long elephant grass that grows on the +banks of rivers and swampy places. Both are good enough for the purpose, +only they are brittle, and more is required than when wheat straw is used, +as they quickly break up.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Sawdust</strong> (<i>burradah</i>).</p> + +<p>In the north of India the deodar, or Himalayan cedar sawdust, can always +be obtained from any of the timber depôts on the banks of the large +rivers, almost for the expense of carting it away. It makes a good bed if +straw cannot be obtained, but is liable to stick to the horse and get in +under his coat if at all long, and gives much more work grooming. It is +also more troublesome to remove in the morning to air, and if any wind is +blowing a good deal gets wasted. If used, it is best to have it spread out +in one stall and leave it there, only using it at night, putting the horse +into another during the daytime. Any sawdust that gets damp or soiled +should be at once removed, as it very soon begins to smell badly.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Shavings.</strong></p> + +<p>Shavings of deodar or pine can also be obtained, but they require to be +carefully sorted out, as there are likely to be splinters in them, and in +lying down the horse may give himself a bad wound.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Sand</strong> (<i>ret</i>).</p> + +<p>Sand can be obtained anywhere along the banks of the rivers; but it is +hard, and does not form a very yielding bed, and I should not use it if +anything else could be got. It requires to be sifted, to get rid of the +pebbles and stones it contains. If straw is scarce and sand has to be +used, the best plan is to put a layer of about a foot of sand over the +floor, and a thin layer of straw over it; this will make a much softer bed +than the sand alone.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Horses eating Bedding.</strong></p> + +<p>This is a trick some horses have, and from which they seldom can be cured. +It is generally the custom to put a muzzle (chik-na) on them at night; but +this, of course, stops their feeding at all. I prefer to bed them down +with sand, sawdust, or shavings, and leave them free to feed at night.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> If +a muzzle is used, it should be a wire one, not leather, as these get very +foul and dirty, and interfere with the horse’s breathing, which the wire +one does not.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Exercise.</strong></p> + +<p>In India it is usual to exercise ordinary hacks, polo ponies, and harness +horses, not doing any special work, twice a day—morning and evening. The +length of time they are out, and the amount of ground they cover, is very +variable—in most cases depending on whether the “syce” is in a mood to +take exercise or not himself. They usually take horses out on the road to +the bazaar, or some favourite meeting-place; and it is not an uncommon +thing to see a couple of dozen horses, belonging to various people, +standing about, while their respective “syces” are sitting about, smoking +and discussing their masters and various bazaar topics of interest. Under +these circumstances the horses do not get much exercise; and many a +mysterious injury, that cannot be accounted for, is inflicted by their +kicking at each other while standing about in this manner. If the compound +is large enough, it is a good plan to make a ring with the stable litter +and have the horses exercised round it. You can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> then be certain they are +getting a fair amount of work; but a large ring is necessary, and if there +is a garden it spoils the compound. Furthermore, horses get into a very +careless, slovenly way of walking when led round and round in this +monotonous fashion daily. “Syces” generally lead horses at exercise, and +most horse-owners will not allow them to ride; but I think this is a +mistake, and if they can ride, I always allow them to do so. If they lead +the horse, he will go along in a listless fashion, and walk with his head +down, stumbling at every step; whereas, if he is ridden, he will carry his +head up and go in a much more lively and collected fashion, and it being +much pleasanter for the “syce” to ride than walk, the full amount of +exercise is more likely to be taken. “Syces” nearly always ride at +exercise bare-backed; but they should be made use a folded blanket as a +pad, kept in its place by a body-roller, as the anatomy of the native of +India is such that, without any protection, he is likely to give the horse +a sore back. They should also only be let use a snaffle bridle, as few +know how to handle a double one. When at exercise knee-caps should be +worn. These should be bought from a European saddler, and care be taken +that the top strap is fitted with a piece of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> indiarubber in the middle, +to allow of its giving with the motion of the limb. If there is not this +indiarubber spring, when the top strap is buckled tight enough to prevent +the cap slipping down, the motion will cause it to rub the skin at the +back of the knee; and I have seen some bad abrasions, that caused +temporary lameness, from this cause. If the top strap is buckled loose +enough to avoid this chafing, then the knee-cap won’t stay up in its +proper place, if it has no spring. The country-made knee-caps sold by the +native saddlers seldom are fitted with it; and if they are they cannot be +relied on, as generally the indiarubber is bad and perished. The lower +strap of the knee-cap should be buckled quite loose, it being only +required to keep it down and prevent it flapping about; but “syces” are +very apt to draw it tight also, and if they do, it is pretty certain to +cut the skin.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="GROOMING" id="GROOMING"></a>GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, Etc.</h2> + + +<p> </p><p><strong>Heel Ropes</strong> (<i>pecharie</i>).</p> + +<p>If possible, horses should be left loose, which generally can be done in +India, as most of the stables are loose boxes. Sometimes it is necessary +to fasten them up, such as when picketed out at night in the hot weather +or on the march. There are several plans of picketing, each having its +advantages and disadvantages; but as these generally apply to military +animals, I will merely mention those commonly used in private stables. The +most common plan is to fasten the horse up with head and heel ropes, to +wooden pegs driven into the ground. Heel ropes (pecharie) consist of +either two ropes about twelve feet long, ending in a single one, so as to +be Y-shaped, the single one being fastened to a wooden peg (make) driven +into the ground, and the two arms to the horse’s hind fetlocks by means of +leather straps, called “muzzumas.” These straps are loops of rope covered +with leather, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> one end of which the heel rope is tied, and into which +the hind foot is slipped, being secured by a flat leather thong wound +round the middle of it behind the fetlock joint to prevent its slipping +off. The strap is then of a fig. 8, or hour-glass shape, the heel rope +being tied in one loop, the foot placed in the other, the thong forming +the neck or constriction. These, I think, are the best form of leather +foot strap; but in buying them care should be taken that the stitching of +the leather is on the outside, as if it is on the inside, where natives +often put it, it is very likely to rub the skin and cause a bad cracked +heel. Another form of “muzzuma” is made out of stiff flat leather lined +with felt. This has a slip loop going round it, with a buckle on one side +and a strap on the other, that runs along the centre. The heel rope is +tied to one end, the foot put into the other, and when the strap is +buckled tightly, the running loop is drawn close up to the heel, so as to +keep the whole arrangement in its place. This form of “muzzuma” is the +usual kind sold; but it is objectionable, as the edges get stiff and hard, +and are likely to cut the heel, which the round ones do not. Both sorts of +leather “muzzumas” require to be kept soft and pliable with dubbing +(momrogan), which “syces”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> never think necessary. I, however, prefer those +made out of plaited hemp or tow. They are merely a band of loosely plaited +tow, about eighteen inches long, the heel rope being fastened to one end, +and secured by a string or tape just behind the fetlock; they are much +softer than the leather ones, and quite as strong. The disadvantage, +however, is that they soon wear out, but they are very cheap; in fact, the +“syces” can make them themselves out of the raw hemp or tow (sun). They +are used by many of the native cavalry regiments in India in preference to +the leather ones. The heel ropes can be made out of one long rope doubled, +a “muzzuma” fastened to each free end, and the doubled portion to a +tent-peg. When heel ropes are used, one should be put on each hind leg; it +is dangerous to only put on one, and I have seen more than one fractured +thigh caused by this. If the heel ropes are on both hind legs, and the +horse kicks, he has to do so straight into the air, as there is equal +restraint on both; but if there is only one, the unequal check of the +single rope is likely to cause a fracture. If allowed, “syces” will always +pull the heel ropes so tight as to stretch the horse out; they should be +loose enough to allow him to stand in a natural position.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Head Ropes</strong> (<i>aghari</i>).</p> + +<p>Head ropes should be fastened to the ring on the head collar (nukta) under +the chin. There should either be two separate ropes, one end of each +fastened to the ring, or one long one doubled in the middle, the central +portion fastened to the ring, and the two ends to two wooden pegs driven +into the ground about three or four feet on each side of the horse’s head. +If only a single rope is used, it must, naturally, be fastened to a peg +straight in front, and, to allow the horse to move his head up and down, +must be loose. When fastened in this way he is exceedingly likely to get +his fore leg over the rope and get hung up in it, a nasty wound in the +heel or at the back of the knee being the result, if nothing worse; +whereas, if the ropes are pegged out on each side, he can move about +freely, and it would be difficult for him to get his leg over them. Both +head and heel ropes should be made of hemp; the cotton rope used in India +for most purposes is not strong enough, and soon breaks and wears out. In +Peshawur and along the north-west frontier, a rope is made of goat hair +that is very strong, and is excellent for this purpose. It is somewhat +more expensive than ordinary rope, but with care will last<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> a long time, +and will amply repay itself. Both head and heel ropes should be tied to +the pegs in a slipknot, so that with a single pull horses can be set free +when necessary. “Syces” will usually tie them in a jam-knot, and horses +struggling to get loose when frightened very often badly injure themselves +before they can be set free.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Fetlock Picketing.</strong></p> + +<p>A method of picketing horses was introduced into the Indian army some +years ago, by dispensing with head ropes and using a short chain shackle +about three feet long, buckled round one of the fore fetlocks, and +fastened to a peg driven into the ground. This was chiefly done with the +object of reducing the weight carried, and with animals used for military +purposes, doubtless fulfilled the purpose, but in a private stable I fail +to see its advantages over the other plan.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Picketing Posts.</strong></p> + +<p>When horses are picketed outside the stable, and there is space enough, +picketing posts are the most preferable method, as they allow greater +freedom than any other. A stout smooth post, about five or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> six inches in +diameter, is driven several feet into the ground, so that it is five or +six feet above the surface, a strong iron ring is slipped over it, and to +this the head rope is made fast; no heel ropes are used, and the horse can +move round it as he pleases. The post must be smooth, so that there is +nothing for the ring to catch in, and when put into the ground the point +should be put into the fire and charred, or covered with kerosene oil, to +keep off the white ants. It will also have to be examined occasionally to +see that it is not damaged or rotten. The only drawback to this plan is +that, if there are several horses, a considerable space is necessary, as +they must be far enough apart to prevent their kicking at each other.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Ringing.</strong></p> + +<p>In South Africa and the colonies horses are picketed by the method known +as “ringing,” the head rope of one being fastened to the head collar of +the next, and so on, till the head rope of the last is in its turn +fastened to the head collar of the first, their heads forming a ring +looking inwards. Colonial horses will stand like this for hours together; +but they are very quiet, and behave in a different way to the Indian +country-bred. I have seen the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> plan used in a cavalry regiment of the +Italian army on the march near Milan.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Rheims.</strong></p> + +<p>In South Africa head ropes are made of prepared raw hide called “rheims.” +They are prepared by the Kaffir women out of raw ox hide, and are very +strong and supple, and are excellent for the purpose.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Knee-haltering.</strong></p> + +<p>Knee-haltering is also a South African plan of securing horses when turned +out to graze. The fore leg is lifted up, so that the forearm from the +elbow to the knee is parallel to the ground. The head rope, or “rheim,” is +then fastened above the knee, the head being pulled a little downwards. +The horse is then turned out to graze on the veldt, and when his head is +down feeding he can use his limbs and walk about as he likes, but as soon +as he puts up his head to trot or gallop the fore leg is pulled up, and he +has only three to go on, and can easily be caught.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Shackles</strong> (<i>bheri</i>).</p> + +<p>The natives of India use iron shackles, much like handcuffs, to fasten +with a key round both fore fetlocks of horses when turned out loose; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +they are not a desirable invention, and in young animals are very likely +to cause ringbones. But this, I think, is on account of their clumsy shape +and being constantly worn, as I believe shackles made out of round iron +that shut with a spring were used by the Canadian mounted police at one +time when turning their horses out, and they found they did not chafe and +rub so much as leather ones did. It was found that even moving through the +wet grass the steel hobbles were polished, kept bright, and required no +attention, whereas the leather ones perished and became hard, and gave +constant trouble unless carefully looked after. I have never tried this +plan myself, for I have found the Cape system of knee-haltering when +turning animals out to graze the best I have yet come across.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Picketing-pegs</strong> (<i>make</i>).</p> + +<p>Picketing-pegs should be made out of hard wood about eighteen inches to +two feet long; iron ones are dangerous. They should be driven into the +ground in a slanting direction, the point towards and the head away from +the animal, to resist the strain on it. If there are no tent-pegs, or the +ground is so soft that there is no holding for them, a hole a couple of +feet deep can be dug, and a bundle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> of straw or a couple of tent-pegs tied +crossways buried in it, the earth trodden down, and the rope brought out +at the surface. This will give ample holding, and may be practically +tested, for although a vertical pull will easily bring it up, the +strongest man will fail to move it if the strain is horizontal.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Leading-ropes</strong> (<i>bagh durie</i>).</p> + +<p>Leading-ropes are things that ruin half the horses’ mouths in India, and I +never let such a thing into the stable. If they are used as they were +originally intended to be, that is, buckled into the ring of the snaffle +or watering bridle to lead the horse with, they do no harm; but it is +impossible to prevent “syces” from passing them over the head and then +back through both rings, so as to form a gag, and this they hang on to. I +always make them use a leading-chain, which is a leather strap with about +a foot of chain and a snap-hook at the end of it. The hook fastens into +the ring of the snaffle, and they cannot well pass the strap over the head +to turn it into a gag. It seems impossible to teach a “syce” how to lead a +horse in a watering bridle, and I find these chains the best compromise.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Brushes and Gear.</strong></p> + +<p>The grooming utensils required in an Indian stable are very simple: a +horse-brush, curry-comb, bucket, some dusters, and a hoof-picker, being +the sum total; but only one of these last is required among five or six +horses. It is best to get English bristle brushes, they last out two of +the native fibre ones, and are very little more expensive. Good +horse-brushes are made by several firms in Cawnpore, and, of course, when +a large number are used, the saving is considerable if the country-made +article is bought, but where only a small number are required, this is a +false economy.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Curry-combs.</strong></p> + +<p>These an Indian “syce” cannot get on without, and although he only uses it +to wear out the brush, still, after all, it does not do so very much harm; +but a bad, lazy man, if he is not prevented, will use it to scrape the +dirt off the horse with. Country-breds are generally very thin-skinned, +and feel the comb very much if scarified with it, as the “syce” is very +fond of doing; and I am positive that this practice in many cases has to +account for much of the proverbial bad temper of these animals. The +curry-comb should never be put on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> the horse’s body at all, and in reality +it is useless. If it can be managed, it is best not to give the “syces” +such things, the only use of them being to clean the brush with, and this +can be done just as well with the palm of the left hand, and the brush +does not wear out so quickly; but it is the custom to use the comb, and it +is hard to prevent it.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Buckets</strong> (<i>balti</i>).</p> + +<p>Buckets can be bought anywhere. Zinc ones are better than tin, although +perhaps a little more expensive; one should be provided for each horse.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Dusters</strong> (<i>jharans</i>).</p> + +<p>Dusters are things that native servants of every sort seem to consume in +enormous quantities, and unless some check is put on it, the number used +at the end of the month will be astonishing. Either the old one should be +produced before another is given, or else some contract be given to them +to provide them for themselves; but the former plan is the best; if the +contract system is adopted, filthy rags will be used. They are luckily +exceedingly cheap, and are made nearly everywhere.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> +<p><strong>Hoof-picker</strong> (<i>sum khodna</i>).</p> + +<p>A hoof-picker can be made out of almost any piece of rod-iron, and one +should be hung up in every stable. One for every four or five horses is +enough.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Clothing</strong> (<i>gurdaine</i>).</p> + +<p>In Northern India, if horses are not clipped they require in the winter at +least two thick rugs, and if they are clipped an extra one, as the climate +from November to the end of February is bitterly cold. The ordinary +country clothing, made out of “mundah,” and sold in the bazaars, called +“jhools,” keeps horses warm and answers its purpose, and is cheap—a rug +of this material costing about Rs. 3; but I think myself that it is false +economy to get it, and that the horse-clothing made at the Muir or Elgin +mills at Cawnpore, or the Egerton mills at Dhariwal, in the Punjab, +although perhaps at first somewhat more expensive, will in the end be +found the cheapest, as with care one suit of this will last many years, +whereas the country clothing is seldom much good after a second winter’s +wear. This clothing is made in all sorts of colours, and turned out in +suits, and is every bit as good as English manufactured.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> Country blankets +(kumbal) can also be got; and the condemned soldiers’ blankets, that are +periodically sold by the military authorities, make excellent horse-rugs. +I always think it best to get regular horse-clothing shaped and pieced out +at the neck to buckle across the chest, or, at all events, to have one rug +like this, even if the rest are ordinary square blankets, as the shaped +clothing protects the front of the chest, which the square blanket will +not do. The blanket can be used in the daytime, and the rug on the top at +night, buckling across the chest, as leaving this part of the body exposed +is a fruitful source of coughs and colds. Aprons, breast-pieces, and +quarter-cords are seldom seen in India, except on race horses, and then +only as a fancy matter.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Hoods</strong> (<i>khansilla</i>).</p> + +<p>Hoods with hacks, harness horses, and polo ponies are not often required; +but if horses are sensitive to cold, particularly if they are standing out +at night, they are no doubt a great protection. They are made up of the +same material as the country “jhool,” and they also can be got to match +the clothing made at any of the woollen mills. In any case it is a good +thing to have a spare hood in the stable, even if it is not habitually +used, as when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> a horse begins to cough if at once put on a severe cold is +often averted.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Body-rollers</strong> (<i>paities</i>, or <i>farakis</i>).</p> + +<p>Body-rollers are sold in the bazaar shops of native manufacture, but are +most flimsy, and I strongly advise that either English ones, or else those +made by any of the manufacturers of leather goods at Cawnpore, which are +nearly as good as English ones, be used, although they may at first be a +little more expensive. The common country rollers are always breaking, and +never being properly stuffed, the webbing in the centre of the two pads +presses on the ridge of the spine when the roller is buckled up. There is +no more fruitful cause of sore backs than this, especially if horses are +at all thin and standing out in the open. “Syces” have a trick of pulling +up the straps of the roller as tight as possible, and if it gets wet with +the dew or rain it shrinks up, and the tight webbing cuts and pinches the +skin over the backbone, causing a sore back. With a properly made roller +the pressure is taken on the sides of the back by the two pads, and the +webbing does not come in contact with the skin at all. In any case, if the +horses are standing out in the open at night, it is always advisable to go +round<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> the last thing and let the roller out a hole or two. If country +rollers are used, direct pressure of the webbing on the spine can be taken +off by putting a folded up duster or a handful of straw under it. If the +back has been pinched or rubbed the roller should be left off, and the +blankets or clothing kept in their place by a couple of tapes or pieces of +string stitched to the edge of each and tied under the body.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Bandages</strong> (<i>puttie</i>).</p> + +<p>Woollen bandages on the legs greatly add to the horse’s comfort when +standing out on a cold night. The ordinary ones sold in the bazaar answer +well enough, only they are generally a little too wide and not long +enough. The bandage should be put on commencing from below and finishing +under the knee or hock, and not in the reverse direction, commencing +above, as is often done. The tapes should be tied in a bow outside. What +is known as the Newmarket bandage, made out of a semi-elastic woollen +material, is an excellent one. It stretches somewhat when put on the leg, +and gives it support. They, however, are somewhat expensive—about Rs. 4 +a set—but with ordinary care will outlast several pairs of country ones. +A good bandage is made by the Muir Mills Company at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> Cawnpore out of the +cotton webbing called “newar”; they are very cheap and good, but are not +so warm as the cotton ones.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Summer Clothing.</strong></p> + +<p>This is rather a superfluity, and, unless with race horses, is not usually +indulged in, for at the time it could be worn it generally is so hot that +the less the horse has on him the better. Usually one of the blankets used +in the winter is kept to throw over him when standing about, or when +walking back from work. Drill summer clothing can be obtained at any of +the woollen mills in India in a variety of patterns, or a native tailor +(durzie) will make it up in your own verandah if you give him a pattern. +At least two suits per horse are required, as it very soon gets dirty in +the warm season and requires washing.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Eye Fringes</strong> (<i>makieara</i>).</p> + +<p>Eye fringes are absolutely necessary in India, and are used in parts of +Australia to protect the eyes from the flies. They are fastened on to the +cheek strap of the head collar with a small tab and button-hole in place +of a brow band, and have a fringe of either leather or cotton cords that +hang<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> down over the eyes halfway to the nose. I prefer the cord ones; the +fringes are always flat and in contact with the face, whereas the leather +ones are liable to curl up at the ends and allow the flies to get +underneath. The cotton ones are easier mended than the leather.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Fly Whisks</strong> (<i>chaurie</i>).</p> + +<p>I always give each “syce” a fly whisk to keep flies off the horse while at +exercise, or when he is holding him anywhere. They are very cheap, last a +long time, and if not provided, the “syce” will arm himself with a dirty +duster or rag of some sort for the purpose. I may, perhaps, be too +sensitive on this point, but to see a dirty rag flourished about an +otherwise well-turned-out animal is to me a great eyesore.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Cleaning Horse Clothing, and Storing it in the Summer.</strong></p> + +<p>It never enters the head of a “syce” that clothing requires to be cleaned. +It should be frequently hung out in the sun and well beaten with a stick, +like a carpet is, and then well brushed on both sides with a stiff +clothes-brush. If necessary, it should be laid out flat and scrubbed with +a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> brush and soap and water, rinsed out with cold water, as hot will make +it shrink, and then, when dry again, beaten and brushed. The straps on +pieced rugs should have some dubbing (momrogan) now and again rubbed into +them, to prevent their getting hard and the leather perishing. Summer +clothing should be sent to the washerman (dhobie) to be washed. During the +summer months woollen clothing should be first cleaned, and then folded up +and put away, some camphor, pepper, and leaves of the “neem” tree, that +grows in every garden in Northern India, being placed between the folds to +keep off the moths. They should be folded away on the top of a box, board, +or table, or somewhere raised off the ground, to be out of the way of the +white ants, and once a week be unfolded and hung out in the sun to air for +a few hours, folded up, and stored away again. There is no occasion to +waste the spices that are with them; if they are carefully unfolded over +some newspapers, the whole can be collected and used again.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Numdahs.</strong></p> + +<p>If used at all, felt numdahs should have a plain edge, and not be bound +with coloured tape, as they so often are; particularly the cheaper ones, +that are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> sold by native saddlers. I have frequently seen sore backs +caused by this tape binding, as well as the hair in white horses +discoloured by the edge. When put on, the numdah should be well pulled up +into the arch of the saddle, particularly in front. The common practice is +to put the numdah flat on the back, and then the saddle on the top of it, +so that when the weight comes on it, the numdah gets tight and is +stretched, and is a common cause of sore backs and galled withers. When +taken off the horse’s back, the numdah should be spread out in the sun to +dry; it should then be beaten with a stick and brushed with a hard brush +to get the dry caked perspiration out of it, and to bring the nap of the +felt up again. If this is not done it will get as hard as a board, and +neglected numdahs are certain to give sore backs. If the saddle is +properly stuffed and fitted to the horse’s back, a numdah is not required, +the only use of it being to save the lining of the saddle, and for this +purpose I prefer a leather one.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Grooming</strong> (<i>malish</i>).</p> + +<p>Grooming is an art that native grooms excel in. They have infinite +patience, and their long supple fingers are peculiarly adapted for the +work. They,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> furthermore, are used to it, for every Oriental is an adept +at shampooing or massage, constantly doing it to their own limbs and those +of their friends. When the horse comes in from work the bridle should be +taken off him, hung up on a peg, and a watering bridle put into his mouth, +the stirrup irons run up to the top of the leathers, and the girths +slackened. If there is a breast-plate it can be taken off, but the saddle +should not be removed till the back gets cool. According to the season of +the year, a light or warm rug should be thrown over the quarters, and the +horse walked about till he gets cool. If there is much mud sticking on +him, it can be rubbed off with a wisp of straw before the brush is used. +Horses should not be washed, or, if they are, only under very exceptional +circumstances, when specially ordered. It is, however, a favourite +practice among “syces,” as it saves a good deal of trouble; and it is much +easier to wash off mud and dirt than to remove it with the brush, as ought +to be done; they are also very apt to use the curry-comb for this purpose. +When the horse is cool he should be gone over with the brush, to remove +what dirt is remaining, and when this is finished the process should be +repeated with the hands, the palm and bend of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> the wrist being used for +this purpose. If it is the hot weather, the grooming had best be done +out-of-doors; but in winter it is best to do it in the stable, as in +Northern India there is a cold wind blowing even in the middle of the day, +and if exposed to it horses are liable to catch cold. As soon as the +grooming is finished, which with a clipped horse can be done in about half +an hour, the clothing and bandages should be put on, and, if it is +evening, the bed put down. Even if not worked, this process of grooming +should take place twice a day—before the morning and evening feed.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Wisps and Grooming Pads.</strong></p> + +<p>Straw wisps or leather pads are particularly useful in developing the +muscle of a thin animal, or bringing the skin into order when it has been +neglected. The wisps are made by twisting some of the bedding straw +together into a rope about three feet long. This is then doubled in the +middle and again twisted, so as to form a flat pad. Two of these wisps are +used, one in each hand, and they are alternately brought down with a +slight slap and drawing motion in the direction of the hair, the whole +body being massaged with them. It is sometimes a good plan, if there is +much dirt in the coat,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> to cover the pad with a damp duster; the dirt +seems to stick to it. This is particularly useful when horses are changing +their coats; the hair sticks to the damp cloth, and the old coat is +brought out quicker than it otherwise would be. The grooming pads are used +in the same way. They are two circles of leather about four or five inches +in diameter, joined together with a strip of chamois leather about three +inches wide, so as to form a pad or cushion, that is stuffed with tow. On +one side a piece of leather or webbing is stitched at each end, +sufficiently loose to allow the hand to be slipped under it in the same +way as the horse brush. Two of these pads are used, and the skin beaten or +massaged by each hand alternately. Although, perhaps, at first horses are +fidgety, when they get used to it they appear to enjoy it; and it has the +advantage of letting the owner know, if he is not in sight, that the +“syce” is working by the noise he makes.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Hand-rubbing.</strong></p> + +<p>If horses are inclined to get filled on swollen legs, the tendons should +be well hand-rubbed for five minutes at each grooming hour. This +hand-rubbing should commence from the lower portion of the limb<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> and be +continued upwards, not in the reverse direction, which is the usual +practice. The limb should be lifted up, and the fingers worked with a +kneading motion behind the tendons.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Washing.</strong></p> + +<p>The feet, mane and tail are the only parts that should ever be washed, +unless specially ordered, and then as seldom as possible. When the feet +are washed, great care should be taken that they are carefully dried +afterwards, and bandages put on, as leaving the legs wet is one of the +chief causes of cracked heels, more especially in the winter months, if +there is a dry cold wind blowing. If soap is used, it should be soft-soap; +or, better still, the soap nut, or “reita.” This is a berry, the shell or +outer covering of which, when soaked in water, swells up into a sticky +mass, that lathers like soap, and by natives of India is used for washing +purposes.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Uneven Manes.</strong></p> + +<p>When the mane gets ragged and uneven, it should be carefully brushed down +four or five times a day with a damp water brush, to make it lie flat. The +long hairs on the under side next the neck should be pulled out, so that +the mane is thinned, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> lower part lies in a perfect curve along the +neck. Some horses object, and are a little troublesome during this +process; but, if it is done gradually, it can be easily accomplished. The +long hairs in the mane should never be cut, unless it is intended to clip +it off altogether, and make it into a “hogged” mane. If the mane will not +lie down flat with an even sweep, it can be covered with a cake of mud for +four or five days, when it should be removed, and renewed if necessary. +Being dry, it will crack, and the pieces can be easily knocked off, and +the dust brushed out. The mud cake generally has the desired effect after +having been applied four or five times.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Hogged Manes.</strong></p> + +<p>The manes of polo ponies and cobs it is the fashion to “hog,” or cut off +close to the neck. It is best to leave the forelock, as it gives a certain +protection against the flies and glare of the sun; also, to leave a lock +of hair on the wither, to grasp with the hand when mounting. The best +implement to hog a mane with is a pair of ordinary horse-clippers, but +don’t use a new pair, or they will get spoiled; old ones that are no use +for the rest of the body, do well enough. It is best to sit on the +animal’s back when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> the mane is being hogged, and to cut forwards; the +hair will be cut much smoother, and a neater job made of it than when +standing on the ground at the side.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Ragged Legs.</strong></p> + +<p>If the horse is not clipped, the long hairs at the back of the legs look +very unsightly. They should be pulled out, not cut off. If a little +powdered resin is rubbed on the finger and thumb, the hair will stick to +it, and come out much more easily, and the legs will have a smooth, even +appearance, which can never be attained if they are cut off with scissors, +no matter how carefully this is done; there will always be jagged ridges +left. The long hairs under the jowl can be singed off by passing a lighted +candle under the jaw once or twice. If the horse is at all frightened at +the candle, he can be blindfolded; but the operation is so quick, that +generally it is all over before he is aware of what is being done. The +long hairs on the muzzle and chin can be clipped off with a pair of +ordinary scissors. If the horse is not clipped all over, attention to +these one or two little details make all the difference in his appearance, +and in his being turned out smart, or the reverse.</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p><p><strong>Trimming Tails.</strong></p> + +<p>The tail should be grasped close to the root with one hand, which is run +down so that the hairs are all gathered together, and a string or tape +tied round below the fleshy part at the tip. The tail should then be drawn +out straight, and the hair cut off with a single sweep of a sharp knife +just below where the string is tied. The blade of the knife must be long +enough to give a drawing sweep, which an ordinary pocket-knife will not +do. There is nothing better for this than a sharp native sword, or +“tulwar,” as it is long enough to cut through all the hair at one stroke; +or, failing a sword, a sharp carving-knife will do, the longer in the +blade the better. Any uneven ends of hair that remain can afterwards be +trimmed off with a pair of scissors; or, better still, by a pair of sheep +shears. Tail-cutting machines are sold with an arrangement to fix the hair +of the tail with a clamp, on which there is a sliding cutting-blade. These +cut the hair off very smoothly and evenly; the only drawback is that they +are somewhat expensive, costing about Rs. 16 in Calcutta or Bombay.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Clipping.</strong></p> + +<p>Arabs and many country-breds carry such fine coats that they do not +require clipping, but most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> Australians and colonials do; and if the coat +is at all inclined to get long and thick, it certainly should be taken +off, for horse-clothing is so cheap that an extra rug can always be got. +Horses should not be clipped till the coat has “set,” <i>i.e.</i> till the long +winter coat has grown, and no more hairs will come off when the hand is +rubbed over the skin. This is generally about the beginning of October in +Northern India. They will generally require clipping twice or three times +during the winter, or up to the middle of March. There are generally some +professional clippers in every station, who bring their own +clipping-machines, and charge about two or three rupees for a pony, and an +extra rupee for a horse each time; or, if there is not such an individual +about, permission can generally be obtained to have it done by any of the +cavalry regiments in the station. It should be remembered that horses +having just lost their coats will require an extra rug that night.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Cleaning the Sheath.</strong></p> + +<p>The owner must himself occasionally see that the horse’s sheath is washed +out. “Syces” never think this necessary, and the part gets into a filthy, +dirty state, that in the summer months is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> likely to give rise to a +troublesome sore, called a “bursattee” ulcer. Some horses are very +troublesome to do this with, and it may be necessary to put on a twitch +(“kinch mhal”); but this should always be done in the owner’s presence.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Light in Stables.</strong></p> + +<p>With a new-comer, “syces” usually ask for oil to burn in a native +earthenware lamp (charragh) at night, but it is a thing I never allow. In +the first place, even if the lamp was kept burning, it is not required; +horses rest better in the dark. In the second, it is dangerous with so +much inflammable material about. In the third, the lamp will not be used +in the stable, but the “syce’s” own house. If a light is ever required, +which is only on rare occasions, it is better to bring a lantern out of +the house; and in India there is always a hurricane-lantern to be found in +every house.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Fires in Verandahs.</strong></p> + +<p>“Syces” are very fond of lighting fires and making cooking places in the +verandah of the stable, but this I never allow, as it litters the place up +with cooking pots, and makes a great mess; also, it is dangerous. I always +make them carry on their cooking operations in the verandahs of their own +houses.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="SADDLERY" id="SADDLERY"></a>SADDLERY, HARNESS, CARRIAGES, AND SERVANTS.</h2> + +<p><strong>Saddles</strong> (<i>zin</i>) <strong>and Harness</strong> (<i>saz</i>).</p> + +<p>Saddles, harness, and all leatherwork requires a good deal more care and +attention in India than in England, especially during the hot season, when +the fierce dry heat will dry up and perish all sorts of leather; and in +the rains, especially in Southern India, where the atmosphere is so loaded +with moisture that leather, put on one side and neglected for a very few +days, soon becomes covered with mildew. There are no saddle rooms in +Indian stables, and it is usual to keep them in a corner of a room in the +house on a wooden saddle-stand, called by natives a “ghorra” horse. In the +rains, a pan or brazier of burning charcoal should be kept in the room for +a few hours daily, if there is not a fire-place. Saddles are cleaned in +the same way as in England, and excellent saddle soap and dubbing is made +by the North-west Province Soap Works<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> at Meerut, and can be obtained +almost anywhere. If this is not used, the “syces” can always make up +dubbing of their own, called “momrogan.” Some people give their head +“syce” a monthly allowance to provide dubbing, soap, bathbrick, oil, etc.; +but as they frequently put lime and bleaching materials with it, I prefer +to buy it myself, and let them get the other articles. They require a +chamoise leather and a burnisher for steel-work, but one of each will do +for a stable of half a dozen horses, and very good country-made leathers +(sabur) can be got for from one to one and a half rupees. The soap is put +on to and rubbed into leather-work with the hands; but the great fault +they have is that they will put on too much, and won’t work it in enough, +and one’s breeches and hands will get into a great mess.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Saddle Covers</strong> (<i>buk bund</i>).</p> + +<p>A sheet, made out of a description of coarse country cloth (karwah), is +necessary for each saddle or set of harness, to wrap it up in, and keep +the dust and dirt off. It should be sufficiently large to wrap the saddle +up in completely, and in the summer the “syce” can bring it with him to +act as a horse-cloth to throw over the quarters when standing about.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +These saddle-sheets can be made by any tailor in a few hours.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Bridles.</strong></p> + +<p>Bridles, double (dahna), snaffle (kazai), can be hung up on the walls, but +a piece of cloth or a few sheets of paper should be fastened up behind +them; and they should be frequently taken down if not in daily use, as the +white ants are most destructive. It is best to have one or two extra +saddle-stands made with pegs on them, and to hang the bridles on them in +the middle of the room, away from the walls. This may be a little more +expensive, but a saddle-stand can be brought for Rs. 5 that will hold a +couple of dozen bridles, worth Rs. 20 apiece. At one time plated bits were +used in India, but I think steel ones are the best. “Syces” never can tell +the difference, and I have more than once found a plated bit being +industriously scrubbed and polished with sand.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Harness.</strong></p> + +<p>Unless particularly desired, brown harness with brass mounts is the +best—for India, at all events—for pony-harness, and it is this class of +animal that is generally used in an up-country station. Not one “syce” in +a hundred knows how to clean<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> black harness properly, and if this is not +done nothing looks worse, whereas almost any native can clean brown +leather after a fashion, and even if it does not stand close inspection, +it will pass muster at a little distance. Fairly good brown harness is +made out of country leather, and it does well enough for rough work, but +it never has the finish of English. Country leather reins and country bits +should never be used; they are not reliable, and are most dangerous; these +should always be English.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Carriages.</strong></p> + +<p>The ordinary two-wheeled pony-trap or dogcart, used in an up-country +Indian station, is best varnished, not painted. The hot weather ruins +paint, and, unless in some of the very large towns, it is nearly +impossible to get them properly repainted again. Any native workman can, +however, varnish a trap with white or copal varnish. Before allowing new +varnish to be put on, the trap should be produced for inspection with the +old scraped off, as it is a favourite trick to daub new varnish over the +old, when it cannot properly set, and the first hot sun cracks and +blisters it. In the hot weather a large earthen basin, called a “naund,” +should be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> kept full of water under the carriage in the coach-house; the +evaporation of the water will keep the woodwork moist, and prevent its +cracking with the heat. A matting made of the fibres of the “khus khus,” +or lemon grass, should also be put round the nave of the wheel, and kept +wet, for the same purpose, as it is exceedingly likely to crack with the +heat. The shafts of the trap should not be left resting on the ground, as +they will warp and bend; they should be supported either by a wooden +trestle, or else by a couple of ropes from the beams of the roof. The +whip, when not in use, should be hung by a string at the upper part to a +nail in the wall, and a weight, such as a brick, tied to the butt end to +keep it straight; otherwise, in a very short time, it will get crooked.</p> + +<p> </p><p><strong>Servants.</strong></p> + +<p>Indian “syces” are different to English grooms, as the new arrival will +soon find. They have peculiar customs of their own, which, like all +Orientals, they cling to tenaciously, and will not give up. If they are +understood they are easily managed, and work well; but if not, the +horse-owner’s life is a burden to him, for no European can overcome the +passive resistance of the Oriental.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> In the first place, I never let any +of the house servants interfere with the stable. Many persons, +particularly those new to the country, do everything through their head +servant, or “bearer”; but I make him stick to his own work, which is the +control of the house and the house servants. I pick out one of the best +and sharpest of the “syces,” changing him till I get a good man, making +him the head or “jemedar syce,” and paying him a rupee a month more wages +than the rest; and he is responsible for everything connected with the +horses, and any small bills I pay to him, and him alone. The wages I pay +myself to each man regularly on the seventh of the month, for the month +previously. I never lift my hand to a servant, or fine him under any +pretext, as the fine will only be made up out of the horse’s grain, but, +if fault has to be found, I do so in the presence of the head man; on the +second occasion a warning is given, and on the third the offender is +dismissed on the spot. I always keep a “syce” and a “grass-cutter” for +each horse. It is possible to get a “syce” and two “grass-cutters” to look +after two horses, by paying the “syce” a rupee a month more; but the +arrangement is not satisfactory, although many do it. If the “syce” gets +ill, which they often do, there is no one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> to do his work, whereas, if +there is a man to each horse, they will arrange the extra work among +themselves. In Northern India “syces” and “grass-cutters” should be +provided with warm woollen clothes in the winter. An excellent cloth for +the purpose is made by the various woollen mills, and at most of them +servant’s clothes can be bought ready made up; but it is best to give the +men the materials and let them get them made up themselves, otherwise +there is certain to be something wrong with them. A “syce’s” coat costs +about Rs. 4, and a “grass-cutter’s,” which is made out of a coarse +blanketing, Rs. 3; and these coats should last for two winters’ wear. In +addition, I used to give each man a “coolie” blanket that cost Rs. 3, and +which would last three winters; and, if they had to go out much into camp, +such as taking horses out to meet me on shooting or pig-sticking +expeditions, a pair of woollen leg-bandages, or “putties.” It is a mistake +not to give servants warm clothes, and a false economy, as, if they are +not properly protected against the cold, which is very severe in Northern +India, they are everlastingly getting fever; and I know no greater +nuisance than having your head man laid up for two or three days at a +stretch. In the second place, if they have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> not warm clothes themselves, +you can never tell if in the night they will not take the clothing off the +horses to wrap themselves up in. A constant source of squabbling amongst +Indian servants is the allotment of their huts or houses. In the older +Indian bungalows there is usually enough of both these and stabling, but +in the newer ones there is not. It is best, however, not to listen to any +such complaints, and somehow the disputants settle the knotty point +themselves. Every now and again it is advisable to see who is living in +your compound, as a most enormous number of relations will turn up, who +are known as brothers (bhai); and if you don’t look out, you will find you +are giving shelter on your premises to several hundred individuals. Indian +servants are always asking leave to attend weddings, funerals, and +religious ceremonies; and I always allow them to go, provided some +arrangement is made to carry on their work. They are clannish in the +extreme, and a substitute was always forthcoming. In the hills +“grass-cutters” are not required, as grass can be bought in the bazaars. +The country people look on the sale of this as a vested right, and +naturally resent any outsider cutting it or interfering with them; and, if +they do, there is pretty certain to be a disturbance and unpleasantness. +If<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> “grass-cutters” are preferred to purchasing the daily supply, local +hillmen should be employed, who will arrange the matter with their +neighbours, and not men brought up from the plains of India. In most hill +stations passes or licences have to be obtained to cut grass. In every +Indian station there is an official price-list of country produce +published, and should any dispute arise as to the rates charged, it is as +well to obtain it from the native magistrate (tehsildar), whose decision +in such matters is usually accepted as final, and which generally saves an +immense amount of trouble.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="SHOEING" id="SHOEING"></a>SHOEING.</h2> + +<p><strong>Shoeing</strong> (<i>nāl bundie</i>).</p> + +<p>Shoeing is a subject on which a volume might be written of itself, far +beyond the scope of this little work, and for further information on the +art I would refer the reader to the treatises by Dr. Flemming and W. +Hunting, Esq.; but as both these deal with European practice, I will only +mention a few differences in the art as performed by the native smith, or +“nāl bund.” In most large military stations where there are European +troops, permission can generally be obtained to have horses shod at the +regimental forge, but in out-of-the-way places the native artist has to be +employed. All horses require shoeing at least once a month, and some +oftener, as with some the horn grows quicker than others, and the hoof +requires to be shortened oftener. In these cases, if the shoe is not worn +out at the toe, it can be replaced after the foot is shortened; this is +what the English smith calls “a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> remove,” the native “khol bundi.” It is +advisable after work to lift up the foot and look if the shoes (nāl) +have shifted or not, also to examine the clench or point of the nail +(preg) where it has been turned over, as it sometimes gets turned up and +sticks out. If this happens on the inside of the hoof it is likely to cut +the opposite fetlock (mawah lagna), and make a bad wound that may leave a +permanent scar or blemish. Some horses, from bad formation, move their +limbs so closely together that they always rub the fetlock joints when +they move. This sometimes can be corrected by what is known as a brushing +shoe; but some badly-shaped animals will always do it, no matter what sort +of shoe is put on. Various forms of pads or brushing boots are sold to +prevent this and protect the part; but, in my opinion, what is known as +the Irish boot is the best. It consists of a thick piece of blanket, or +“mundah,” about six inches wide and the length of the circumference of the +leg. This is fastened round the fetlock with a tape or string so that the +ends are in the middle line of the leg behind, the upper half being +doubled over the string so that there are two thicknesses to protect the +fetlock joint. I have found this far better than the more elaborate +contrivances sold; it is cheap—any one can make one in a few minutes—it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +does not collect mud and dirt like the others do, and it does not become +hard like those boots made out of leather, which, unless carefully looked +to and kept soft with soap (sabon) or dubbing (momrogan), are liable to +cut horses badly. The only care required in putting on the Irish boot is +not to tie it too tight, or the tapes may cut the skin. Some pieces of +horn hanging loose, that are being cast off from the sole and frog in the +natural process of growth, are often seen. These are very likely to +collect dirt and moisture, and if they do they should be removed, but +otherwise be left alone. They can generally be pulled off with the +fingers, a piece of stick, or the hoof-picker. As a rule, in the plains of +India the majority of horses do not require shoes on their hind feet, +unless the roads are mended with stone, or the climate is very damp and +the horn gets soft. In the rainy season, if much work is being done, they +perhaps then require shoeing behind, but in the dry season the majority go +just as well without. In the hills, where the paths are rocky and stony, +horses, of course, require shoeing behind. Unlike the European, the native +smith shoes what is called “cold,” that is, he has a number of shoes in +sizes from which he selects one as near a fit as possible, which he +hammers into shape on a small anvil<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> without heating it. Native shoes are +generally perfectly plain, <i>i.e.</i> flat on both sides, and, unless +specially made, are never “seated,” <i>i.e.</i> sloped on the foot surface, or +“bevelled,” <i>i.e.</i> sloped on the ground surface. As a rule, the nail-holes +are what the smith calls too fine, <i>i.e.</i> they are too near the outer rim +of the iron, and to get a hold the shoe has to be brought back so that the +horn projects over the iron. To obviate this the smith removes the toe +with the rasp, thus weakening the horn at the very place where it is +required to be strong. The shoes are generally somewhat too small also, +and to get the nail to take hold they have to be set back in the same way +as when the nail-holes are too fine. A native smith, unless he has been +shown how, never knows how to turn down the point of the nail after it has +been driven through the hoof to form the clench; he never cuts off the +superfluous part, but turns it round in a curl with the pincers, and, +needless to say, this is exceedingly likely to cause brushing. Another +great fault is his fondness of pairing and slicing away the frog and sole, +which he will have to be stopped in doing. I have seldom seen a horse +pricked in shoeing by a native, but if left to themselves they never get +the bearing true, and as a result corns are of common occurrence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> Of +course, such light shoes as those of native manufacture have not a great +lot of wear in them, and in heavy, holding ground would pull off, but on +the hard level plains of India they last well enough, and the native +smith, if his faults are known and corrected, is not a bad workman after +his own lights.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> +<h2>GLOSSARY OF HINDUSTANI WORDS.</h2> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">Adarwah</span>, <i>parched barley</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Aghari</span>, <i>a head rope</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Akh-ta</span>, <i>a gelding</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bad hazmie</span>, <i>indigestion</i>, <i>dyspepsia</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bagh</span>, <i>rein</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bagh dorie</span>, <i>leading-rope</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bajara</span>, <i>millet seed</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Balti</span>, <i>bucket</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Baniah</span>, <i>corn-dealer</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bāns</span>, <i>bamboo</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bhai</span>, <i>brother, relative</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bherie</span>, <i>iron shackles for horse’s legs</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bhestie</span>, <i>water carrier</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Bichalie</span>, <i>bedding straw</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Buk bund</span>, <i>saddle sheet</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Burradah</span>, <i>sawdust</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Charpoy</span>, <i>native bedstead</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Charragh</span>, <i>native oil lamp</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Chattie</span>, <i>earthen pot</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Chaurie</span>, <i>fly-whisk</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Cheil</span>, <i>to dig up grass</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Chick</span>, <i>split bamboo window blind</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Chick-na</span>, <i>muzzle</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Choker</span>, <i>bran</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Chuckie</span>, <i>hand-mill</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Chunna</span>, <i>gram</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Churrie</span>, <i>dried shorgum stalk used for cattle fodder</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Compound</span>, <i>enclosure round an Indian house</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Cultee</span>, <i>the black gram used as horse food in Madras</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Dah</span>, <i>a bill-hook</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Dah-na</span>, <i>a double bridle</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Dast</span>, <i>diarrhœa</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Dastour</span>, <i>custom, percentage, perquisites</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Dhan</span>, <i>unhusked rice</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Dha nah</span>, <i>grain</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Dhoob</span>, <i>an Indian grass on which horses are fed</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Dhool</span>, <i>a small leather bucket used for drawing water</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Durzie</span>, <i>a tailor</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Farakie</span>, <i>body-roller</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Gajar</span>, <i>carrots</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Gehun</span>, <i>wheat</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ghorra</span>, <i>horse</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ghorrie</span>, <i>mare</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Gudda</span>, <i>donkey</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Gumalo</span>, <i>earthen vessel shaped like a milk pan, holding about a gallon</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Gunna</span>, <i>sugar-cane</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Gurdaine</span>, <i>horse-rug</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Hawah</span>, <i>air</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Hookha</span>, <i>a pipe</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Hurrialie</span>, <i>a species of grass</i>.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jai</span>, <i>oats</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jamp</span>, <i>a straw screen</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jaru</span>, <i>a broom</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jharan</span>, <i>duster</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jhool</span>, <i>country horse clothing made out of felt</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jonk</span>, <i>leech</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jow</span>, <i>barley</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Kali nimuk</span>, <i>black salt</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Kar wah</span>, <i>a sort of cotton cloth</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Kazai</span>, <i>watering or snaffle bridle</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Khal</span>, <i>linseed cake</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Khansilla</span>, <i>hood</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Khasil</span>, <i>green food</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Khawid</span>, <i>green food</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Khoalie</span>, <i>charcoal</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Khol bundie</span>, <i>a remove in horse shoeing</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Khua</span>, <i>a well</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Khus khus</span>, <i>lemon grass</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Kicher ke muttee</span>, <i>clay</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Kinch mhal</span>, <i>twitch</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Kirim</span>, <i>worm, weevil</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Kumbal</span>, <i>blanket</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Kurlie</span>, <i>manger</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Kurpa</span>, <i>a short iron hoe, used to dig grass with</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Kutcher</span>, <i>mule</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Malish</span>, <i>grooming</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Make</span>, <i>a wooden tent-peg</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Makie-ara</span>, <i>eye-fringe to keep off flies</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Maund</span>, <i>80 lbs. weight</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mawah lagna</span>, <i>brushing of the fetlocks</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Missa bhoosa</span>, <i>grain stalks crushed in thrashing</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Moat</span>, <i>pulse grain</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Momrogan</span>, <i>dubbing</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mote</span>, <i>pulse grain</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mung</span>, <i>pulse grain</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mussuk</span>, <i>leather water-bag</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Muttie</span>, <i>earth</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Muzzuma</span>, <i>leather heel-strap</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Nāl</span>, <i>a horseshoe</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Nāl bund</span>, <i>a shoeing-smith</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Naund</span>, <i>a large wide-mouthed earthen vessel holding several gallons</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Newar</span>, <i>cotton webbing</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Nimmuk</span>, <i>salt</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Nirrick</span>, <i>the official price list</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Nukta</span>, <i>head stall</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Numdah</span>, <i>felt pad for putting under a saddle</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Paite</span>, <i>body-roller</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Pani</span>, <i>water</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Pecharie</span>, <i>heel ropes</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Preg</span>, <i>nail</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Putter ke nimmuk</span>, <i>rock salt</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Puttie</span>, <i>a roller bandage</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ret</span>, <i>sand</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Reita</span>, <i>soap nuts</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Rhal</span>, <i>linseed cake</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Roll kerna</span>, <i>to exercise</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Sabon</span>, <i>soap</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Sabur</span>, <i>chamois leather</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">San</span>, <i>a stallion</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Saz</span>, <i>harness</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Seer</span>, <i>a two-pound weight</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Shalgham</span>, <i>turnip</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Suffaid bhoosa</span>, <i>wheat straw that has been crushed and broken in thrashing</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Sum khodna</span>, <i>hoof-picker</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Sun</span>, <i>tow or hemp</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Syce</span>, <i>a groom</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Tobra</span>, <i>a nose-bag</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Tokar</span>, <i>to trip or stumble</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Tokrie</span>, <i>a basket</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Tulwar</span>, <i>a curved native sword</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ulsie</span>, <i>linseed</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Zin</span>, <i>a saddle</i>.</p> + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p class="center">LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,<br /> +STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="adverts"> +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 1]</span></p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="telegrams"> +<tr><td colspan="3" align="center">No. 78.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Telegrams:</td></tr> +<tr><td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">“MOFUSSIL, LONDON.”</span></td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td><td align="right">Established 1819.</td></tr></table> +<p> </p> +<h2>A SELECTION FROM THE PUBLICATIONS</h2> + +<p class="center">OF<br /> +W. THACKER & CO.,<br /> +2, CREED LANE, LONDON, E.C.<br /> +<br /> +AND<br /> +<br /> +THACKER, SPINK & CO.,<br /> +CALCUTTA.<br /> +<br /> +1897.</p> + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 2]</span></p> +<p><strong>SHAW, VERO.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>How to Choose a Dog, and How to Select a Puppy.</strong> With Notes on the +Peculiarities and Characteristics of each Breed. By <span class="smcap">Vero Shaw</span>, Author of +“The Illustrated Book of the Dog,” late Kennel Editor of the “Field.” +Crown 8vo., sewed, 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p><i>The Stock Keeper.</i>—“The price is within everybody’s means, and needless +to say the work is not of a pretentious nature. On the other hand, the +text keeps the promise of the title, and the advice that is given is good. +Each breed of dog has a chapter to itself, which opens with a few +introductory remarks of a general nature: then follow the points briefly +and plainly; next come average of the pup from six weeks old until he +attains maturity. A couple of pages at the end of the work are devoted to +the relation, and a few useful hints on buying, feeding, and breeding. +Needless to add that like all Mr. Vero Shaw’s writings on canine subjects +the information is founded on practical experience and imparted in easy +excellent English.”</p> + +<p> </p> +<p><strong>NUNN, VETY. CAPT. J. A.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Notes on Stable Management in India and the Colonies.</strong> <span class="u">Second Edition</span>, +revised and enlarged, with a Glossary. Crown 8vo., cloth, 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>CONTENTS.—Food, Water, Air, and Ventilation. Grooming, Gear, etc.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p><strong>THOMAS, HENRY SULLIVAN, F.L.S.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>The Rod in India:</strong> being Hints how to obtain Sport, with remarks on the +Natural History of Fish and their Culture. By <span class="smcap">Henry Sullivan Thomas</span>, +F.L.S. (Madras Civil Service, retired), Author of “Tank Angling in India.” +<span class="u">Third Edition</span>. Demy 8vo., cloth. [<i>In the Press.</i></p> + + +<p><i>Land and Water.</i>—“A book to read for pleasure at home, as well as to use +as a handbook of exceeding value to the angler who may be already there, +or intending to visit India.”</p> + + +<p> <span class="pagenum">[Pg 3]</span></p><p> </p> +<h3>Capt. M. H. HAYES’ BOOKS ON HORSES.</h3> + +<p><strong>HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Veterinary Notes for Horse-Owners.</strong> An Illustrated Manual of Horse Medicine +and Surgery, written in simple language. <span class="u">Fifth Edition.</span> This Edition is +revised throughout, considerably enlarged, and incorporates the substance +of the Author’s “Soundness and Age of Horses.” Thick crown 8vo., buckram, +15<i>s.</i></p> + +<p><i>Saturday Review.</i>—“Captain Hayes’ work is a valuable addition to our +stable literature; and the illustrations, tolerably numerous, are +excellent beyond the reach of criticism.”</p> + +<p><i>Times.</i>—“A necessary guide for horse-owners, especially those who are +far removed from immediate professional assistance.”</p> + +<p><i>Field.</i>—“Of the many popular veterinary books which have come under our +notice, this is certainly one of the most scientific and reliable. If some +painstaking student would give us works of equal merit to this on the +diseases of the other domestic animals, we should possess a very complete +veterinary library in a very small compass.”</p> + +<p><i>Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News.</i>—“Simplicity is one of the most +commendable features in the book. What Captain Hayes has to say he says in +plain terms, and the book is a very useful one for everybody who is +concerned with horses.”</p> + +<p><i>Lancet.</i>—“The usefulness of the manual is testified to by its +popularity, and each edition has given evidence of increasing care on the +part of the author to render it more complete and trustworthy as a book of +reference for amateurs.”</p> + +<p> </p> +<p><strong>HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Indian Racing Reminiscences.</strong> Profusely Illustrated. Impl. 16mo., 3<i>s.</i> +6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum">[Pg 4]</span></p> +<p><strong>HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Points of the Horse.</strong> A familiar Treatise on Equine Conformation. <span class="u">Second +Edition.</span> Revised and enlarged. This edition has been thoroughly revised +and contains numerous additions, including specially written Chapters on +the Breeds of English and Foreign Horses. Illustrated by 200 reproductions +of Photographs of Typical “Points” and Horses, and 205 Drawings by <span class="smcap">J. H. +Oswald Brown</span>. Super-royal 8vo., cloth, gilt top, 34<i>s.</i></p> + +<p>Also a <i>LARGE PAPER EDITION</i>, strictly limited to One Hundred and Fifty +Copies for England and the Colonies, numbered and signed by the Author. +Demy 4to., art cloth, top edges gilt, uncut, 63s. net. [<i>Nearly all sold.</i></p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">Press Opinions on the Second Edition.</p> + +<p><i>Times, Feb., 1897.</i>—“The intrinsic value of the book, and high +professional reputation of its author, should ensure this new edition a +cordial welcome from Sportsmen and all lovers of the horse.”</p> + +<p><i>Field.</i>—“A year or two ago we had to speak in terms of praise of the +first edition of this book, and we welcome the second and more complete +issue. The first edition was out of print in six months, but, instead of +reprinting it, Capt. Hayes thought it better to wait until he had enough +material in hand to enable him to make to the second edition those +additions and improvements he had proposed to himself to add. The result +is in every way satisfactory, and in this handsome book the searcher after +sound information on the make and shape of the horse will find what will +be of the utmost use to him. Those who have been, or who contemplate being +at no distant date, in the position of judges at horse shows, will derive +great benefit from a careful perusal of Capt. Hayes’s pages.”</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum">[Pg 5]</span></p> +<p><strong>HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Illustrated Horsebreaking.</strong> <span class="u">Second Edition.</span> This Edition has been entirely +re-written; the amount of the letterpress more than doubled, and 75 +reproductions of Photographs have been added. Impl. 16mo., buckram, 21<i>s.</i></p> + +<p><i>Field.</i>—“It is a characteristic of all Captain Hayes’ books on horses +that they are eminently practical, and the present one is no exception to +the rule. A work which is entitled to high praise as being far and away +the best reasoned-out one on breaking under a new system we have seen.”</p> + +<p><i>Veterinary Journal.</i>—“The work is eminently practical and readable.”</p> + +<p> </p> +<p><strong>HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Riding: on the Flat and Across Country.</strong> A Guide to Practical +Horsemanship. Impl. 16mo., cloth gilt., 10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p><i>Times.</i>—“Captain Hayes’ hints and instructions are useful aids, even to +experienced riders, while for those less accustomed to the saddle, his +instructions are simply invaluable.”</p> + +<p><i>Standard.</i>—“Captain Hayes is not only a master of his subject, but he +knows how to aid others in gaming such a mastery as may be obtained by the +study of a book.”</p> + +<p><i>Field.</i>—“We are not in the least surprised that a third edition of this +useful and eminently practical book should be called for. On former +occasions we were able to speak of it in terms of commendation, and this +edition is worthy of equal praise.”</p> + +<p><i>Baily’s Magazine.</i>—“An eminently practical teacher, whose theories are +the outcome of experience, learned not in the study, but on the road, in +the hunting field, and on the racecourse.”</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum">[Pg 6]</span></p> +<p><strong>HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Training and Horse Management in India.</strong> <span class="u">Fifth Edition.</span> Crown 8vo., cloth, +7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p><i>Saturday Review.</i>—“A useful guide in regard to horses anywhere. Concise, +practical, and portable.”</p> + +<p><i>Veterinary Journal.</i>—“We entertain a very high opinion of Captain Hayes’ +book on ‘Horse Training and Management in India,’ and are of opinion that +no better guide could be placed in the hands of either amateur horseman or +veterinary surgeon newly arrived in that important division of our +empire.”</p> + +<p><i>Field.</i>—“We have always been able to commend Captain Hayes’ books as +being essentially practical and written in understandable language. As +trainer, owner, and rider of horses on the flat and over country, the +author has had a wide experience, and when to this is added competent +veterinary knowledge, it is clear that Captain Hayes is entitled to +attention when he speaks.”</p> + +<p> </p> +<p><strong>HAYES, Mrs. Edited by CAPT. M. H. HAYES.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>The Horsewoman.</strong> A Practical Guide to Side-Saddle Riding. With 4 Collotypes +from Instantaneous Photographs, and 48 Drawings after Photographs, by <span class="smcap">J. +H. Oswald Brown</span>. Square 8vo., cloth gilt, 10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p><i>Times.</i>—“A large amount of sound, practical instruction, very +judiciously and pleasantly imparted.”</p> + +<p><i>Field.</i>—“This is the first occasion on which a practical horseman and a +practical horsewoman have collaborated in bringing out a book on riding +for ladies. The result is in every way satisfactory, and, no matter how +well a lady may ride, she will gain much valuable information from a +perusal of ‘The Horsewoman.’ The book is happily free from self-laudatory +passages.”</p> + +<p><i>The Queen.</i>—“A most useful and practical book on side-saddle riding, +which may be read with real interest by all lady riders.”</p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum">[Pg 7]</span></p> +<p><strong>MILLER, E. D. Edited by CAPT. M. H. HAYES.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Modern Polo.</strong> A Practical Guide to the Science of the Game, Training of +Ponies, Rules, etc. By Mr. <span class="smcap">E. D. Miller</span>, late 17th Lancers. Edited by <span class="smcap">M. +H. Hayes</span>, F.R.C.V.S. With Sixty-four Illustrations from Photographs. Impl. +16mo., cloth extra, 12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> + +<p>A practical and exhaustive description of the Science of the game, duties +of players, selection, breaking, training, and management of ponies, +various breeds of ponies in all parts of the world. Polo in India; +Hurlingham, Indian, and American Rules, etc. Beautifully illustrated with +sixty-four reproductions of Photographs showing the various “points” of +the game, famous ponies, players, etc.</p> + +<p>CONTENTS.—Chapter I. First Steps at Polo.—Chapter II. Theory and +Practice of Polo.—Chapter III. Polo Appliances.—Chapter IV. Choosing a +Polo Pony.—Chapter V. Training the Polo Pony.—Chapter VI. Polo Pony +Gear.—Chapter VII. Polo Pony Management.—Chapter VIII. Various Breeds of +Polo Ponies.—Chapter IX. Polo in India.—Chapter X. Polo Pony +Breeding.—Chapter XI. Veterinary Advice to Polo Players.—Appendix. +Tournaments, Laws and Bye-Laws, etc.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p><strong>HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Friedberger and Frœhner’s Veterinary Pathology.</strong> Translated from the +original German of the recently published <span class="u">Fourth Edition</span>, and Annotated. +[<i>In the press.</i></p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 8]</span></p> +<h3>FORTHCOMING WORKS.</h3> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Dairy Cows.</strong> A Practical Guide in the Choice and Management of Dairy +Cattle, etc. By <span class="smcap">Harold Leeney</span>, M.R.C.V.S.</p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>The Best Breeds of British Stock.</strong> Edited by <span class="smcap">John Watson</span>, F.L.S.</p> + +<p><strong>Thacker’s Veterinary Year Book.</strong></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Contents.</span>—Events of the Year—List of Officers—President and +Council—New Members Qualified during the Year—Privileges of +Members—Students who have passed A and B Classes—The Number of +Rejections in England and Scotland—A Review of all the Veterinary Medical +Societies—Digest of Papers Read, with Names of Speakers and +Extracts—Horse Fairs and Markets—Auction Sales and Laws—New +Instruments—New Drugs—New Shoes—Posological Tables—Original Articles +by well-known Authors, etc.</p> + +<p>It has long been felt that a Veterinary Year Book was needed for use by +the large and increasing profession of Veterinary Surgeons, and it is +hoped that this work will meet the necessary requirements.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p><strong>HAYES, CAPT. M. H.</strong></p> + +<p class="hang"><strong>Friedberger and Frœhner’s Veterinary Pathology.</strong> Translated from the +original German of the recently published Fourth Edition, and Annotated by +Capt. <span class="smcap">M. H. Hayes</span>, F.R.C.V.S., Author of “Points of the Horse,” etc. Royal +8vo., cloth.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p><strong>HAYES, CAPT. M. H.</strong></p> + +<p><strong>Stable Management in England.</strong></p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON and BECCLES.</p></div> + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes on Stable Management in India +and the Colonies, by Joshua A. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Notes on Stable Management in India and the Colonies + +Author: Joshua A. Nunn + +Release Date: May 15, 2010 [EBook #32376] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOTES ON STABLE MANAGEMENT *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + +NOTES ON STABLE MANAGEMENT. + + + + + NOTES ON + STABLE MANAGEMENT + IN INDIA AND THE COLONIES. + + + BY + VETY.-CAPT. J. A. NUNN, F.R.C.V.S., C.I.E., D.S.O., + + ARMY VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, + LATE PRINCIPAL LAHORE VETERINARY COLLEGE. + + + SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED, + WITH A GLOSSARY. + + + LONDON: + W. THACKER & CO., 2, CREED LANE. + CALCUTTA: THACKER, SPINK & CO. + 1897. + + [_All rights reserved._] + + + + LONDON: + PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, + STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The first edition of these notes, which was written in India, having been +sold out in a much shorter space of time than I ever anticipated when I +wrote it, I am induced to offer this to the public. The scope of the +original pamphlet has been adhered to, and all that is aimed at is to give +the new arrival in the East some idea as to the management of his horses, +especially those who are setting up a stable for the first time. The first +edition was written in India for Anglo-Indians, who are familiar with +native terms; but to this, being published in England, I have added a +glossary of the more ordinary Hindustani words likely to be of use. The +spelling of these will be probably found fault with by the Oriental +scholar; but I have endeavoured to bring it as near the sound as possible, +as it is only intended for persons in absolute ignorance of the +vernacular. There appearing to be a demand for the book in the colonies, +at the suggestion of the publishers I have added a few remarks on +Australia and South Africa. The entire work has been rewritten, and the +matter contained is the result of my own personal observations during +eighteen years' service in India and the colonies at both military and +civil duties. + +JOSHUA A. NUNN. + + LONDON, + _March_, 1897. + + + + +PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. + + +The following notes on Stable Management were originally delivered in a +lecture to the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Troopers of the +Punjab Light Horse, and as they were considered by the members of the +corps to be useful, at their request I have put them on paper. There is no +attempt at anything beyond the most elementary rudiments of horse-keeping +in India, and all they are intended for is to give volunteers of mounted +corps, who have not previously owned horses, some slight idea as to what +should be done for the care of their chargers, and not leave them entirely +in the hands of native syces and horse-keepers. + +JOSHUA A. NUNN. + + LAHORE, + _December_, 1895. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + +FOOD. + + Gram 1 + Barley 6 + Bran 7 + Bran Mash 9 + Oats 9 + Maize 11 + Wheat 13 + Rice 14 + Millet 15 + Pulses 15 + Linseed 16 + Linseed Cake 17 + Black Gram 18 + Preparation of Food 18 + Horses refusing Food 19 + Times of Feeding 20 + Bolting Food 21 + Spilling Food on Ground 22 + Grass 22 + Churrie 25 + Bhoosa 25 + Bamboo Leaves 27 + Oat Hay Forage 28 + Hay 29 + Green Food 32 + Green Gram 33 + Carrots 34 + Lucerne 34 + Guinea Grass 38 + Sugar Cane 38 + Turnips 39 + Salt 39 + Tonics 40 + Horses not Feeding 41 + Damaged Food 42 + Irregular Teeth 42 + Young Horses Cutting Teeth 44 + Quidding 44 + Indigestion 45 + Lampas 45 + Nose-bags 46 + Mangers 47 + Worms 48 + Rubbing the Tail 49 + Scouring 49 + + +WATER. + + Water 51 + Times of Watering 52 + Watering Troughs 53 + Watering on a Journey 53 + Watering after a Journey 54 + Watering Bridles 54 + Leeches 55 + Wells 56 + + +AIR AND VENTILATION. + + Stables 58 + Chicks 60 + Stable Floors 61 + Charcoal 62 + Picketing 62 + Bedding 63 + Sawdust 64 + Shavings 65 + Sand 65 + Horses eating Bedding 65 + Exercise 66 + + +GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, ETC. + + Heel Ropes 69 + Head Ropes 72 + Fetlock Picketing 73 + Picketing Posts 73 + Ringing 74 + Rheims 75 + Knee-haltering 75 + Shackles 75 + Picketing-pegs 76 + Leading-ropes 77 + Brushes and Gear 78 + Curry-combs 78 + Buckets 79 + Dusters 79 + Hoof-picker 80 + Clothing 80 + Hoods 81 + Body-rollers 82 + Bandages 83 + Summer Clothing 84 + Eye Fringes 84 + Fly Whisks 85 + Cleaning Horse Clothing, and Storing it in the Summer 85 + Numdahs 86 + Grooming 87 + Wisps and Grooming Pads 89 + Hand-rubbing 90 + Washing 91 + Uneven Manes 91 + Hogged Manes 92 + Ragged Legs 93 + Trimming Tails 94 + Clipping 94 + Cleaning the Sheath 95 + Lights in Stable 96 + Fires in Verandahs 96 + + +SADDLERY, HARNESS, CARRIAGES AND SERVANTS. + + Saddles and Harness 97 + Saddle Covers 98 + Bridles 99 + Harness 99 + Carriages 100 + Servants 101 + + +SHOEING 106 + + + + +STABLE MANAGEMENT. + + + + +FOOD. + + +Gram (_chunnah_). + +In the north of India the chief food on which horses are fed is gram, the +seed of one of the pea tribe of plants. It is a crop that ripens in the +beginning of the summer, when it is harvested, and the grain thrashed out +by driving cattle over it in a circle. The dry stalks, that are broken up +into small pieces, are used for feeding cattle on, and are known as "missa +bhoosa," in contradistinction to the stalks of the wheat when submitted to +the same process, and which is known as "suffaid," or white bhoosa. The +price of gram varies very greatly, according to the locality and season, +and is a subject of much speculation and gambling amongst the native +community. I have known it as high as 7 seers (14 lbs. weight), and as low +as a maund (80 lbs. weight), per rupee. It also varies greatly in +quality, depending on the locality in which it is grown and the conditions +under which it has been harvested, and is by native grain-sellers known as +first and second class gram. Good gram, when a small quantity is taken up +and examined in the palm of the hand, should be free from sand, dirt, +small pieces of stick, straws, or other sorts of seeds; in fact, it +should, what is known in the trade, "run clean." Each individual grain +should be round and plump, as if the husk was well filled. It should not +be shrivelled up and wrinkled, and be free from worm or weevil marks, +which can be told by there being a small round hole in it, and the grain, +when cracked, being found hollowed out and eaten away. Generally the +weevil (kirim) will be found in the cavity, but if not, it will be full of +a fine powder. Weevil-eaten gram cannot be mistaken, and denotes that the +grain is old, and has been badly stored. In most samples of gram, unless +quite new, a small proportion of worm-eaten grains will be found, and this +is not of any consequence; but if there are a large number, there will be +a larger proportion of husk (which has no nourishing properties) than +grain, and a larger quantity will have to be given. When a grain of gram +is crushed between the teeth it should impart the taste of a dry pea in +the mouth, and be devoid of all mustiness, which is present if it has got +wet or mouldy, as it is very apt to do. In new gram the husk at the point +is of a slightly greenish shade, that disappears with keeping. It is +generally supposed that new gram is not so good as when it is a few months +old; but myself, I have never seen any ill effects from its use. The only +thing to be careful about is that it is perfectly ripe, for natives have a +great trick of cutting and plucking every grain, fruit, and vegetable +before they have arrived at full maturity. Gram should be crushed or +bruised, not _ground_, so as to break the outer husk and allow the juices +of the stomach to act on the kernel. It should be crushed or bruised only, +as if ground into a fine powder a good deal goes to waste. It is +sufficient if each seed is so crushed that it is split in two. Gram, +wheat, and all other grains in the East are ground by the women of the +family between two stones, one of which revolves on the top of the other +by means of a wooden handle fixed in it. To crush gram the stones require +to be sharper set than if they are to grind any other grain into flour. +Gram can be got ready crushed from the corn-dealer (baniah) at a small +increased charge per maund (80 lbs.), or what I generally do is to pay my +head groom (syce) the regular bazaar rate (nirrick), and get the women of +his family to crush it, they providing their own mill (chuckie). The only +disadvantage of this plan is that it is necessary to weigh the grain a +second time after it has been crushed, otherwise it will be short, as +natives eat it themselves. But I found in the long run the syces would not +steal it; natives are sharp enough to see when any profit can be made, and +it was not to their advantage to give back short weight. Excellent +gram-crushing machines, working with fluted rollers, are sold by several +firms in India, and are adjustable so as to take any grain. They are made +to fit into a box for travelling, which, when in use, forms a stand for +the crusher to work on. They are, however, somewhat expensive, and +although admirable for a large stud of horses, are hardly required for a +private stable. If, however, expense is no object, they are certainly +preferable to the native mill, as they are cleaner, bits of grit not +coming off the stone, and each individual grain being crushed, which even +the best native mills will not do. Crushed grain is much quicker digested +than whole, particularly by old horses whose teeth are not in good order, +and who cannot masticate their food properly. It is a common mistake to +give too much gram or other grain, there being a prevailing idea that the +more that is given the more work the horse will do. There is no greater +error; it is like putting more coal into the furnace of an engine that can +only consume a certain amount; the extra quantity only goes to waste, and +upsets the digestive functions of the stomach. What is required is a +judicious admixture of food given at a proper time; not a large quantity +improperly given of an improper quality. Gram should be given in the +proportion of one part of bran to two of gram; or what is better, one part +each of bran (choker), gram, and parched barley (adarwah), or oats (jai), +by weight. These can be purchased separately from the corn-dealer and +mixed together, and thus cannot be eaten by any of the servants, like pure +gram can be. If the horse is not digesting his food properly, whole grains +will be found in his droppings that have passed through the bowels +unaltered. There will be always a few of these found, especially if the +horse is getting parched barley or oats, as the husks of both these grains +are very indigestible. If the horse begins to get thin, and fall away in +condition as well, it is then time to take some measures to remedy +matters, otherwise no notice need be taken. + + +Barley (_jow_). + +In many parts of Northern India, especially on the Afghan frontier, whole, +uncrushed barley is used. It does not seem to hurt country-breds, but with +old animals that are not used to it, and particularly Australians, the +practice is dangerous. During the Afghan War, on one occasion there being +no other grain available, whole barley was supplied to the horses of the +battery of artillery to which I then belonged. A number of them were +attacked with colic, and several died from the irritation caused by the +pointed awns or ends of the beards to the bowels. No doubt horses, and +particularly young ones, will get used to feeding on most grains if the +change is brought about gradually, but a sudden change from any one to +another is dangerous. At the best, whole barley is not an economical food. +The husk resists the digestive action of the stomach and intestines, and a +quantity is always passed out of the body whole. Barley ought certainly +always to be crushed, or, better still, parched, and turned into +"adarwah." This is done by professional grain parchers in the bazaar; but +sometimes, though rarely, some of the women of the servants' families can +do it. It consists of half filling a wide shallow iron pan with sand, and +placing it over a fire till nearly red hot. A couple of handfuls of the +grain is then thrown into the sand with a peculiar turn of the wrist which +scatters it over the hot surface, about which it is stirred for a few +seconds with an iron spoon or small shovel pierced with holes like a +fish-ladle. The grain is partially baked, swells up and becomes brittle, +the husk cracking, when it is scraped up and lifted out with the ladle, +the sand being riddled through back into the pan. A good parcher will turn +out a "maund" (80 lbs.) in a wonderfully short space of time, the whole +process being gone through with a dexterity only acquired by long +practice. In India barley usually runs very light, there being a great +deal of husk. Boiled barley is a most useful diet for a sick horse. It +requires well boiling for at least half an hour, and the water then +drained off. I have known horses drink this barley-water when they won't +look at anything else. + + +Bran (_choker_). + +In most of the large stations in India there are flour-mills in which +wheat is ground with the latest machinery, and when obtained from them, +bran differs but little from what is seen in England; but in smaller +places wheat is ground by native mills, and then the bran is not so clean. +When native-made bran is run over the hand, it will be seen that there is +a large amount of flour in it, which adheres to the skin like a white +powder, and which makes it much more nourishing than the cleaner prepared +article. The scales also of native-made bran are much more irregular in +size than the European manufactured article. Bran should have a clean, +fresh smell about it, and the newer it is the better; if kept long it is +likely to get mouldy. This is particularly the case during the rainy +season, when the atmosphere being saturated with moisture, a good deal is +absorbed by the bran, and if kept in this state for any time will get +mouldy. On this account, if it is necessary to store bran during the rainy +season, it should be kept in tin boxes. The inside lining of old packing +cases, in which perishable goods are brought out from England, do well for +this purpose, and plenty can be got for a small sum in the bazaar shops; +or, if not, any native tinsmith will make a box out of old kerosine oil +tins for a small sum. + + +Bran Mash. + +It is a good plan, particularly in warm weather, in any country to give +horses a bran mash once a week, and if one particular evening is fixed +upon, syces get into the habit of giving it regularly without special +orders. I generally used to give a standing order to give it on Saturday +night, for, as a rule, the horses are not required on Sunday. Bran has a +slightly relaxing effect, that in warm climates is particularly +beneficial. Bran mash is made by simply putting the necessary quantity of +bran into a bucket, pouring boiling water gradually on to it, at the same +time stirring it round with a stick until the whole is moist and mixed +together. The bran should only be damped sufficiently to make it stick +together, and should not be sloppy and wet. Some horses at first will not +eat bran, but they can be tempted to by mixing a handful of whatever grain +they have been used to with it. + + +Oats (_jai_). + +Oats are now largely grown over the Punjab, Northern India, and in +Tirhoot, and are sold at nearly the same price as barley. In the seaport +towns Australian oats can usually be obtained; and as good oats are grown +in the colonies as any part of the world. They are more expensive than +the native article, and are generally only used for training race-horses +on. The Indian oat, compared with the English, Australian, or South +African, is a poor article, running very light, with a great amount of +husk; but if properly crushed, and mixed with gram and bran in proportions +of one part of each, they are greatly superior to barley. The oat in India +is a winter crop, and is harvested in the spring. Both colonial and Indian +oats are always white. I have never seen the black or tawny variety which +is so common in Ireland. A demand having arisen for them by Europeans, it +is sometimes possible in Northern India to buy them in the bazaar; but +generally it is necessary to make a special arrangement with the grower, +as natives do not use them as a feeding grain for their own animals. They +grow the crop round the wells, and cut it green in the straw as forage for +the well and plough bullocks in the spring, when they are working hard. +Arrangements can generally be made with the cultivator to purchase so much +from him by weight, thrashed and delivered at your own stable, or else to +purchase so many acres of the standing crop as it is growing; but the +former plan is the most satisfactory, as it is astonishing the heavy crop +that will be produced; and, on the contrary, you will be equally +astonished to find with the other plan how light it is. The negotiations +for the supply of oats should be entered into in good time in the +spring--say about the beginning of March--as it is astonishing how slow +such matters progress in the East, and they had better be left in the +hands of your head syce. No doubt you will be cheated out of a small +amount, but you must make up your mind for this before arriving in the +East; but you will have the satisfaction of knowing that if you tried to +carry on negotiations yourself you would be cheated out of more. I have +tried both plans, and found that the syce could drive a better bargain for +both of us than when I attempted to deal direct with the cultivator. + + +Maize (_makkai_). + +Although grown all over India, maize is not much used for feeding horses; +but in South Africa, where it is known as "mealies," it is the staple food +grain for both man and beast. In India it is said to make horses fat and +soft, but no animal in the world does harder work than a South African +post-cart horse. In all probability the reason they do well on maize is +that in the oat-hay forage they get there is a considerable quantity of +grain; and although I have never seen it used, the experiment of feeding +on oats and maize would be worth while trying in India. In South Africa +maize is usually given whole, but in any of the towns it can be obtained +crushed, and it is better to give it in this state. During the Afghan War +maize was plentiful in some parts of the country, and I gave it to some of +the horses that I had charge of. I had it parched on hot sand, in the same +way as barley (adarwah) is parched, making it into American pop-corn. With +certain somewhat thin and debilitated animals it had a marked effect in +getting flesh on them, and all horses eat it greedily. In India maize is a +summer crop, ripening in the autumn, when the ears or cobs are picked off +the stalks. It is stored in the cob, and the individual grains knocked off +as required by rapping them against a stick; but they must be turned over +in the heap occasionally, as rats and mice are likely to cause damage, +particularly the musk rat, that taints everything it comes into contact +with. Horses have frequently been brought to me, said to be off their +feed, and on inquiry I have found this only to be caused by the grain +being tainted by musk rats, and that when a clean feed is offered to them +they devour it ravenously. There are in South Africa and America a number +of varieties of maize, but in India I only know of two sorts, in one of +which the seeds are white and the other yellow, or a deep red colour. I +don't think that there is much difference in them as far as horse food +goes, but each individual grain should be plump, and fill out the husk +well; they should be free from weevils, worms, or the marks of attacks +from rats and mice. The husk should be well filled out, and have a +shining, pearl-like, glistening appearance, and when let fall on a stone +or other hard substance give off a metallic sound. When broken open, the +grain inside should be of a pure white colour, and of a pleasant, mealy +smell, like fresh flour. If it is discoloured, it denotes that it has been +wet and fermented. Maize can be crushed by most grain-crushing machines, +also in the native mill (chuckie) if the stones are properly set; but both +in South Africa and India the natives pound it in a large wooden mortar +made out of the trunk of a tree. + + +Wheat (_ghehun_). + +Although it is not to be recommended as a food, still I have seen wheat +used when no other grain could be obtained, and it was a choice of it or +nothing at all; and in parts of Australia, and, I believe, America, it is +regularly used as a horse food. It is commonly supposed that wheat is +almost a rank poison to horses, and will cause fever in the feet; and no +doubt with stabled animals in England it will do so, especially as the +majority of cases of this nature are from accidents--horses getting loose +and gorging themselves with wheat during the night, or when unobserved. +With animals standing out in the open and working hard, as they do in +India and the colonies, it is not so dangerous. I should not suddenly +change a horse's feed from oats or gram to a full ration of wheat; but +when nothing else can be got, it can be given in a small quantity without +much fear of danger; but as soon as any other grain could be obtained, it +should be used. + + +Rice (_dhan_). + +In Eastern Bengal and Assam horses are fed on unhusked rice and will do +well on it. During the expedition into the Lushai Hills in 1879-80, in +many places nothing else could be got to feed the transport mules on. Gram +is not grown in that part of the country, and what little there is has to +be imported, and is at a prohibitive price. I found that animals did well +enough on an equal mixture of gram and rice, although at first some of +them refused it. In Japan rice is the only grain horses get, and the pack +ponies of that country are hardy beasts, and appear to work well on it. If +the rice can be crushed, it is all the better; and in Bengal and Assam +there is no difficulty in getting this done, as it is the food of the +people, and they grind it for their own use. + + +Millet (_bajara_). + +The various millets, known in South Africa as "Kaffir-corn," are not often +used in India as horse food, but in the Cape it sometimes is. In India the +millet is a summer crop harvested in the autumn. The seeds are small, and +of a dark or greyish colour. It requires to be crushed before use, as the +husk is very hard. + + +Pulses (_dhal_). + +The various species of pulse grains enter largely into the food of the +natives of India. Two, known as "mung" and "mote," or "moat," are +excellent for getting flesh on thin, debilitated animals. They are both +small oblong seeds of an olive green colour, with a very hard husk, and +can be obtained in any bazaar. I prefer the mote to the mung. They both +require to be well boiled to the consistency of a jelly before use, and +then being well mixed in with the food, about a pound in weight of the raw +seed being enough for each feed, so that the horse gets three pounds +daily, a corresponding quantity of the other grain being withdrawn. I have +seen most excellent results in weak animals recovering from a debilitating +illness from its use, but great care must be taken that it is boiled +properly. + + +Linseed (_ulsie_). + +Linseed can be obtained all over India. In fact, a good deal of what is on +the English market comes from the East. Under certain conditions it is +useful in putting on flesh, and as a diet for convalescents; but care must +be exercised in its use, as it contains a great deal of oil, and in cases +of sickness with liver complications, which are common in a hot climate, +especially in English and Australian horses, it is to be avoided. It has +to be boiled to a jelly before use, or, better still, soak it in cold +water for some hours until soft, and then boil it. In the hot weather, +however, I prefer to use either the "mote" or "mung" to linseed. + + +Linseed Cake (_rhal_ or _khal_). + +Linseed cake can be obtained in nearly every large town, and is the +residue left after the oil is expressed; but as this process is +imperfectly performed, a good deal of oil is left--much more than in the +steam-pressed English cake. It is sold by the "seer" (2 lbs. weight), but +in irregular lumps, not moulded into cakes as in Europe. Care must be +taken in buying it, as it is very likely to be musty, and adulterated with +mustard or rape seed. Both these can be easily detected by the taste or +smell, leaving a pungent odour and a sharp burning taste behind. The best +plan is to crush a small quantity of the cake and drop it into some +boiling water, when the sharp smell and taste characteristic of the +mustard and rape oil will be given off. A small quantity of linseed cake +in the food will fatten horses tremendously, but makes them soft in +condition. It is one of the articles used by native dealers to fatten +horses for sale, and at this they are most expert. When crushed it can be +mixed with the food, or boiled to make linseed tea for sick horses; and +for this latter purpose I prefer it to linseed, as there is less oil in +it, the smell of which sometimes nauseates an animal and causes him to +refuse it. + + +Black Gram (_cooltee_). + +In the Madras Presidency and Southern India black gram is used, the Bengal +white gram not being grown there. This has to be boiled before use. +Military horses are fed on it, but it is said that it makes them soft. I +have, however, no personal experience of black gram. + + +Preparation of Food. + +In India it is the custom to damp the food before it is given. It should +not be saturated so as to turn it into a sloppy paste, but just damped +sufficiently to make the particles stick together. Grooms (syces) +generally deal out each feed into a bucket dry from the corn-bin, and then +damp it; but a better plan is to weigh out the whole of the amount +required for all the horses, and put it into a wide-mouthed earthen bowl +called a "naund," that can be purchased for a few pence, or a box, such as +an old wine case, and damp the whole amount together, then portioning it +out for each animal. The reason of this is that, if the grain is damped in +the buckets, they are at once taken away, and, the probabilities are, +never cleaned; but if they have to be brought forward for each feed to be +put into them, and the owner takes the trouble now and again to inspect +them, "syces," who are creatures of habit, get into the way of cleaning +them before they bring them forward. The box, or naund, in which the grain +is damped being stationary, can be looked at any time. It is necessary to +be very careful about this, as the particles of food left very quickly +ferment in a hot climate, and get sour, and quickly taint all the rest. As +a rule, about ten minutes is long enough to damp grain; and this should be +done as soon before feeding as possible, otherwise, if left long standing, +it will get sour. If a horse refuses his feed, it should be at once thrown +away, and on no account be kept till the next meal, by which time it is +pretty certain to have fermented. + + +Horses refusing Food. + +Some horses are delicate feeders naturally, and take a long time in +eating, or refuse their food altogether. In the case of a delicate or slow +feeder, the food should be given in small quantities and often, rather +than in the usual somewhat rather large feeds three times a day; and the +horse should be fed by himself. This is easily done in India, as nearly +all stables are loose boxes; but if the animal is picketed out with others +that are likely to teaze him, he should be taken away and fed out of a +bucket in the "compound" (garden or enclosure round the house). "Syces," +like all natives of India, have no idea of the value of time; and if he +has his "hooka" (pipe), and a friend to talk to about the price of +food-stuffs, rates of wages, and other such-like interesting bazaar +topics, he is perfectly content to sit holding the bucket before the horse +all day long, if necessary. If the animal refuses his food altogether, +then it should be taken away, for if left standing in front of him he +breathes on it, and if it remains any considerable time it becomes sour +and fermented, and he gets disgusted with it; whereas, if taken away and +nothing more given till next feeding-time, the appetite often returns, and +the food is consumed with a relish; especially in the warm weather, if he +is first led out and exercised, or picketed out under a tree. On no +account should the feed that has been refused be kept over till the next +feeding-time; a fresh one should be prepared, as in a hot climate wet +grain ferments and turns sour in a very short space of time. + + +Times of Feeding. + +The stomach of the horse is very small in proportion to the size of his +body, and he requires to be fed often, and in small quantities. In +England hunters are fed four, or even five, times a day. In India it is +the usual custom to feed three times, and perhaps it is often enough. In +all military stations a gun is fired at noon, and the midday feed is given +at that hour; but the morning and evening one varies with the season of +the year. I usually give only half a feed in the evening about five +o'clock, and the remainder the last thing at night, about eight or nine, +according to the season of the year; but, unless carefully watched, +"syces" will not do this, as it is the custom only to feed three times +daily, and "dastour" (custom) is a thing it is impossible to make a native +break through. + + +Bolting Food. + +Some horses have a trick of bolting their food without masticating it +properly, especially if another is being fed in their company. It is a +good plan to feed such horses apart from any others, which can easily be +done in an Indian stable, as they are all loose boxes, or, if picketed out +in the open, by moving him a short distance away from the others. A small +quantity of chaff, grass, straw, or what is known as "bhoosa," which is +wheat straw that is crushed and broken into small pieces in the process +of treading out the grain by bullocks, mixed in with the feed, will +usually make them masticate it properly. + + +Spilling Food on Ground. + +Horses have also a trick sometimes of throwing their food out of the +bucket or manger, and spilling a quantity on the ground. Not only is a +large amount wasted, but when the animal has finished what is left, and +tries at his leisure to gather up what is on the ground, he eats a large +amount of earth and dirt with it, which is injurious. The best way I know +to prevent this is to feed the horse on a cloth on the ground; any bit of +old sacking about four feet square will answer for the purpose. + + +Grass. + +In India hay is not often seen, and horses are fed on grass; even +race-horses are trained on it. This may at first sound strange, but Indian +grass is very different to English meadow grass, and chiefly consists of +the roots and runners, the actual blade of grass not being more than about +an inch long. The best grass is what is known as "dhoob." It is a short +grass, with long roots and suckers, which is dug up out of the ground with +a short iron hoe or trowel, called a "kurpa," which is used with a +scraping motion of the hand, the process being called "cheeling." A +considerable quantity of earth is taken up with it, which ought to be +knocked off against the hoe; but as the grass is sold by weight, and the +usual quantity a private "grass-cutter" is supposed to bring in daily is +20 seers (40 lbs. weight), it is not to his advantage to clean it. If +horses eat dirty grass for any length of time, the sand and dirt, besides +damaging the teeth, is likely to accumulate in the intestines and give +rise to what is known as sand colic. When the "grass-cutter" brings in his +bundle of grass that he has collected, which he generally does at midday, +it should be spread out and cleaned; sticks and thorns should be picked +out, as they are likely to lodge in the horse's throat and choke him, and +it should be well beaten with a stick to get rid of the sand and dirt. A +good plan is to fasten a net between the wooden framework of a "charpoy," +or native bedstead, lay the grass on it, and beat it there with a stick, +and it is surprising what a quantity of rubbish will fall through. An old +lawn tennis net, if the meshes are not too big, answers well for this +purpose. Grass-cutters are fond of wetting the grass to make it weigh. If +it is brought in fresh, and damped with clean water beyond the actual +loss in weight, I do not know that it does much harm; but it is +exceedingly likely that the water has been obtained from some stagnant +dirty puddle, and the bundle has been left standing for some time so that +fermentation has set in, giving it an unpleasant smell. It is therefore +best to have the bundles at once opened out and spread in the sun to dry +as soon as they are brought in, and not allow the "grass-cutters" to take +them away to their own houses. In parts of the foot hills of the Himalayas +("hurriarie," or "hurrialie") grass is obtained. It is not found in the +plains, or in the very high mountains where it is cold. It is a long +grass, running to about three feet high, and is cut with a curved sickle. +When young and green it is a capital fodder grass; but when the seed is +shed, and it gets dry, it is unfit for any other purpose than bedding, as +the stalks get very hard and brittle, and so dry that there is little or +no nourishment in it. It should not then be allowed into the stable for +any other purpose than bedding; but being much easier to collect than +"dhoob" grass, the "grass-cutters" will bring it as long as they are +allowed to, even when it resembles nothing more than a bundle of sticks. I +have frequently heard owners of horses in the hills complain of their +animals getting thin and out of condition, the cause of which on inquiry +was simply due to the bad dry hurrialie grass that was brought for them to +eat. + + +Churrie. + +This is the dried stalk of one of the shorgum tribe of plants, which is +also known as the Chinese sugar-cane. It is a summer crop cut in the +autumn. It grows to five or six feet high, and is cut and stored by the +natives as a fodder for the cattle. It would to the new-comer appear to be +a most unsuitable article of food, but is full of saccharine matter, +tasting quite sweet when chewed in the mouth, so much so that in parts a +rough sugar is extracted from it, but to look at is like a bundle of dried +reeds. Animals of all sorts are very fond of it, and I have frequently fed +my horses on it for days together in out-of-the-way places where no grass +was to be obtained. It is not used as a regular horse fodder, but it does +well for it on a pinch. + + +Bhoosa. + +In the East all grain is threshed out by the primitive process of putting +it in a circle and driving bullocks round on it, and in this process the +grain is trodden out of the ear, the straw being split and broken up by +the animals' feet into small fragments from one-eighth to two or three +inches in length, which is called "bhoosa." This is the staple food of the +working cattle, and is also used for horses. It is a most important item +of the crop, and in the rural economy of an Indian village almost as much +is thought of it as the grain itself. Wheat and barley straw makes what is +called "white bhoosa," and gram and the various pulses "missa bhoosa." +Both these can be used as horse food; in fact, on the Afghan frontier they +get nothing else, and many natives feed their animals entirely on it, +never giving them grass; but although they will eat it, and for a time +keep condition, it is not to be recommended. If it has to be used, and it +is possible to obtain any grass, they should be mixed together. A small +quantity of "bhoosa" mixed in the feed will make a greedy feeder masticate +it. "White bhoosa" looks like badly chopped straw-chaff. "Missa bhoosa" is +of a dark colour, the particles not being straight-like sticks, but bent +about, and frequently there are a quantity of the leaves of the plant +mixed with it. Care should be taken that both sorts are not mouldy, which +is very apt to be the case, as the native farmers store it in large +quantities during the winter, and when the new crop comes on, if there is +any of last year's left, it is what they try and sell. Being stacked in +the open, it is exceedingly likely to get damaged by the rain. "Bhoosa" +should have a clean, fresh smell like sweet straw, not be discoloured or +have any patches of mould about it, and be free from impurities such as +sticks, thorns, or pieces of mud or stones. + + +Bamboo Leaves (_bans_). + +In Eastern Bengal, Assam, and parts of Burma, the green leaves and young +shoots of the bamboo are used for forage. During the Chin-Lushai +Expedition in 1889-90, the animals with the force got nothing else for +nearly eight months. I had three ponies of my own that were worked +moderately hard the whole time, and they remained in good condition. The +transport mules, which were worked very hard indeed in a very trying +climate, did not fall away nearly as much as I expected. The young shoots +and leaves are cut with a sort of a billhook, called a "dah," and care +must be taken that only the young green leaves and soft tender shoots are +given, the old leaves and the edges of the dry stumps of the bamboo +cutting like a razor. I have seen some bad wounds on the lips, tongue, and +angles of the mouth from this cause. It is best to make the "syces" and +"grass-cutters" pluck the leaves off the branches altogether, and not +leave them about the stable, for fear of wounding the horses. This they +will readily do, as they use the _debris_ for fuel. I have seen some bad +cuts and injuries in both men and animals from the edges of the split +bamboo, which are very sharp--so much so that the savage tribes on the +eastern frontier use a properly split piece of bamboo for a knife in +skinning animals; and the sap of the green bamboo appears to have a +peculiarly irritating or poisonous action, a wound caused by it festering +and suppurating in both man and beast, whereas one inflicted with a dry +bamboo will heal up healthy. Horses require a larger amount of bamboo +leaves than grass. If an animal is getting 20 lbs. of green "dhoob" grass +daily, he will require 30 lbs. of bamboo leaves to keep him in condition. +Although at first horses may refuse them, they take to them kindly after a +little while. + + +Oat Hay Forage. + +In the South African colonies grass hay is almost unknown. The oat is cut +when about half ripe, dried, and given in the straw, in which condition it +is known as forage, and is excellent feeding. It is usually sold in +bundles, wholesale at so much per hundred, and retail at hotels and +livery stables at so many bundles for a shilling. Some years ago, when I +was travelling in the Dutch part of South Africa, in the more +out-of-the-way parts of which there are no hotels, it was the custom to +ask the owner of the farmhouse where you arrived permission to +"off-saddle" if you were riding, or "out-span" if driving, for the night +or a couple of hours, as the case might be. This was a roundabout way of +asking if he could put you and your animals up for the night. When leaving +in the morning, it would have been a great breach of good manners to ask +for your bill, but you inquired what you were indebted to his head-boy for +the forage your horses had consumed--a polite way of asking for your +account; the number of bundles per shilling varying according to the time +you remained, and the accommodation you had received; but, notwithstanding +this fiction, I did not, as a rule, find the total any less than in a +regular hotel where you get your bill. + + +Hay. + +Hay, as is known in Europe and Australia, is never seen in India. In some +parts, what is called hay can be obtained; but, compared to English meadow +hay, it is at the best but poor stuff. No doubt hay of a very tolerable +quality can be made in India; in fact, I have done so, but usually the +grass is cut after the plant has flowered, the seed ripened and shed, when +it is what is known as "the sap being down," and then it is dry and with +little nourishment in it. It is generally also allowed to lie out too long +after it has been cut in a hot, powerful sun, which utterly bakes it up. +The grass should be cut when the seed is green and the sap well up in it, +and should not be allowed to remain too long drying. I have generally +found that from eight to ten hours of the Indian sun was enough, so that +grass cut in the morning should be stacked at night; it will then not be +utterly dried up, and in the stack will undergo the process of +fermentation that gives the characteristic smell to English hay. There is +a certain amount of difficulty in doing this. The grass flowers and seeds +at the end of the hot weather, about September, when the monsoon rains are +on, and these sometimes last for days together. It is, therefore, +sometimes difficult to get a fine day to cut and save the hay in before +the seed is shed; and before the dry weather again sets in the sap has +gone down, and there is but little nutriment left in the grass. It is not +a bad plan to sprinkle some salt over each layer of hay as the stack is +made up; horses eat this cured hay with great relish. In making up the +stack, a bundle or two of straw, put on end from the bottom upwards, +should be built into the centre of it as it is being raised up, to act as +a chimney or ventilator to carry off the heat while the stack is +fermenting. If this is not done, there is danger of its catching fire; and +even if it should not heat to such a degree, part is likely to get +discoloured--what is termed "mow-burned." This chimney can be made with +bundles of sticks, boards, or even stones; but sick horses will often eat +the straw from the centre of a haystack when they won't look at anything +else, and it sometimes comes in useful, and in any event, is not wasted. +The stack should be built on a foundation of brambles, stones, or a mud +platform--the latter being the best--to raise it and protect it from +damage by the rains, which at times come in a regular flood, and also to +keep out rats, mice, and other vermin. When the stack gets down to the +bottom, care should be exercised in handling it, as it is a great refuge +for snakes, and I have seen one fatal accident from snake bite from this +cause. It, then, is a good plan to make the men remove the hay in small +quantities at a time with a hay-fork, which is easily made by fastening a +couple of short sticks converging from each other on to a long bamboo; +but natives are such fatalists that, no matter how much warned of the +danger they are incurring, they will not take the commonest precautions as +to their safety if it gives them a little extra trouble. A somewhat larger +quantity of dry grass is required than green "dhoob" by weight, the +proportion being about 15 to 20 lbs. respectively. + + +Green Food (_khawid_, or _khasil_). + +In the spring of the year in India it is common to give horses green +wheat, oats, or barley. This is cut in the straw from the time it is about +a foot high until the grain begins to ripen, a period that lasts about a +month or six weeks in the Punjab--from the middle of February till the end +of March. This green food is called by the natives "khawid," or "khasil." +It has an excellent effect on the system, and is what is used by the +native dealers to get their horses into condition for sale. Too large a +quantity should not be given at first, as it is likely to cause +diarrhoea; about 4 lbs. daily being sufficient at first, but it may be +increased up to double this amount if it agrees with the animal. Care +should be taken that the green food is only given when young and the straw +tender, for when it gets ripe, and the straw woody and hard, it is very +indigestible, and a common cause of intestinal obstruction and colic. In +some parts green barley is given in the same manner, and when it is young +it is as good as wheat or oats; but when it begins to ripen it should be +stopped, as the awns or beards begin to get hard, and not only are they +likely to choke the horse, but to cause dangerous intestinal obstruction. +Oats can be given much longer than barley or wheat; in fact, as I have +said, ripe oats are cut in the straw, and used as hay in many parts of the +world. The green crop must be purchased standing from a cultivator, and +this is best arranged through your head "syce." It is sold by measurement, +a patch in the field being marked out; or else the grass-cutters go and +cut as much as is required daily, the whole amount used being afterwards +measured up and paid for at the fixed bazaar rate, or, as it is termed, +the "nirrick." + + +Green Gram. + +Natives are very fond of giving horses green gram, but it is a most +dangerous custom. It is most indigestible, the stalk when green being full +of a strong tough fibre. The sap and leaves have a peculiar irritating or +almost corrosive property, and in the spring of the year many fatal cases +of intestinal disease are caused by it. + + +Carrots (_gajar_). + +Carrots are plentiful all over Northern India. They come on in the spring, +and are an excellent green food. They can be bought very cheaply, and if +kept in a cool, dry place, can be stored for a considerable time; but they +require to be turned almost daily, or they will get rotten. When used they +should either be washed to remove the earth, or, as in the East this is +quite dry, knocked with a stick to remove it. They should be given whole, +or else cut into long slices, not across into lumps. This latter practice +is dangerous, as horses are thus inclined to bolt them whole, and the +short round lump is likely to stick in the throat and cause choking. + + +Lucerne. + +Lucerne grows well all over Northern India, and although not cultivated by +the natives for their own use, they know perfectly well what it is, and +call it by the English name. In most of the towns where there are any +Europeans collected together, it is usual to grow it in the Government or +station garden, from where it can be purchased retail. Some native corps, +who remain some time in the one place, also grow it for the benefit of the +regiment, and sometimes it is possible to obtain some from them; but as a +rule they only have enough for their own use. Round the large military +cantonments in some places, the neighbouring farmers, finding that there +is a demand for it, have taken to growing it for sale, and it can be +bought in the bazaar; but as the supply is not certain, it is better to +enter into a contract with one of the growers to supply the quantity by +weight daily required. In making this bargain it is best to use the agency +of the head "syce," as if it falls short, or is not forthcoming, he can be +made responsible; and natives being erratic creatures, it is quite +possible that some morning you may be told that there is no more, or that +the grower has sold his crop to some one else, perhaps at even a smaller +price than you are giving. Whenever there is a well in the compound, and I +have been long enough in one place, I have always grown as much as I could +for myself. It is easily done, and there is no more useful crop in +connection with an Indian stable. In the dry, hot weather the difference +in the condition of horses that are getting a fairly liberal supply of +green food, and those that are only getting the burned-up grass that is +then procurable, is most marked. The only difficulty about growing lucerne +is that at first a large supply of water is necessary until the roots +strike. If you have a garden, then, of course, you have to keep a pair of +bullocks to raise water from the well for irrigation purposes; but if you +do not run to this luxury, then a pair of bullocks can be hired for two or +three days in the week. The landlord of the house has to keep the well and +the Persian wheel, by which the water is raised, in order, and find the +first pair of ropes for it. The tenant has to find the earthen pots, or +"chatties," that are fastened on to it, by which the water is raised up. +These "chatties" are cheap things enough, but they are easily broken. I +always found that the best plan was to provide the first lot myself, and +then give a small sum monthly to the gardener to keep them going; and it +saved money in the end, as I found that not nearly so many were smashed +under this system as when I paid for what were required. If a gardener is +regularly employed, it is, of course, part of his business to look after +the lucerne bed; but for an ordinary stable of, say, four or five animals, +an acre of lucerne will be ample, and a man exclusively for this is not +necessary. A gardener can be got for about Rs. 10 a month, but a man can +be got to come two or three times a week and look after it for half this. +I found, however, that if I gave it to one of the syces, that the women +and children of his family would attend to it, as, when once started, it +only requires weeding, and that the work was better done than by a +professional gardener, unless one was regularly employed. The best seed is +the acclimatized English, or the Cabul brought down from Afghanistan. The +English seed can be obtained from any seedsman, or the Government +Horticultural Gardens at Lahore or Saharunpore, at about a rupee a pound, +and this is enough to sow about an acre with, which should be done at the +end of the cold weather. If only a small quantity is grown, it is best to +sow it on ridges, as it then, no doubt, can be kept free from weeds, and +the cost of weeding, on an acre or two, is but trifling; but it is an +error to suppose that lucerne cannot be sown broadcast. At the cattle farm +at Hissar, in the Punjab, several hundred acres were grown in this way, as +the cost of making ridges on such a large quantity of land would have been +prohibitive. Of course, this lucerne was not so clean as if it had been +grown on ridges, but the cattle picked it out from the weeds when it was +put before them. Fresh seed will have to be sown about every three years, +and the crop may be cut about five or six times during the season. About 4 +lbs. is enough for a horse, but it is best to begin with half this +quantity and gradually increase it, as if too large an amount is given at +once it is likely to cause colic. + + +Guinea Grass. + +Some years ago this was a very favourite grass forage to grow for horses, +but lately lucerne has supplanted it, and, I think, rightly. The advantage +of guinea grass is that it lasts through the hottest months of the year, +which lucerne does not, but it requires a great deal of water. It grows in +separate tufts, and they should be planted some distance apart, or +otherwise they will crowd each other out. + + +Sugar Cane (_gunna_). + +Sugar cane is not often used as an actual food, but horses are very fond +of it, and on my visits to the stable I usually had some pieces carried +after me in a basket when it was in season. It ripens at the end of the +summer, and lasts into the winter. It is sold in long sticks, and should +be chopped up into pieces; but the servants will steal it, as they eat it +themselves as a sweetmeat. + + +Turnips (_shalgham_). + +The ordinary white turnip grows all over the Punjab in the winter, and +when carrots are not to be procured, I have used them in their place, +preparing them in the same manner. Horses soon learn to eat and relish +them. + + +Salt (_nimmuk_). + +Salt is required by all animals in a certain quantity in their food to +keep them in health. There are three different varieties sold in the +native shops. Rock salt ("putter ke nimmuk"); ordinary salt, which is +merely the rock salt crushed and powdered; and black salt ("kali nimmuk"). +On the coast sea salt can also be obtained, but it is not to be found far +inland. The common custom in India is to give powdered salt in the food, +the usual daily allowance being about an ounce. I prefer to leave a lump +of rock salt in the manger for the horse to lick when he likes. Some +owners have a lump of it hung by a string to the wall, but I do not think +this is advisable, as I have known more than one horse turn a wind-sucker +from getting into the habit of licking and playing with it. + + +Tonics. + +It is a common supposition, deeply rooted in the minds of horsemen, that, +when a horse loses condition, he at once requires a tonic; and an immense +number of these and "condition powders" are advertised. There is no better +paying speculation in the world than the sale of these articles, as the +majority of them consist of a few cheap and simple ingredients, that are +retailed to the public at a hundred per cent. their original cost; and the +best that can be said about these nostrums is that some of them are +innocent and do no harm, while they serve to amuse the owner. The action +of a tonic is to stimulate the appetite, and if the horse is feeding well +they are certainly useless, if not actually harmful. If the horse feeds, +and continues to fall off in condition, the chances are that there is +something wrong in the stable management, which should be carefully +inquired into. If this only occurs once with one animal, the inference is +that medical advice is required, but if several are in the same state, or +it is a matter of constant occurrence, then in most cases a change of +"syce" is required, and it will be usually found better and cheaper than +having recourse to any of these various advertised "cure-alls." + + +Horses not Feeding. + +Horses refuse their food from a variety of causes. It is usually the first +symptom noticed in the majority of attacks of illness, and I cannot too +strongly urge that in such cases the sooner professional advice is +obtained the better, there being nothing in which the old proverb, "a +stitch in time saves nine," more applies to. On the other hand, horse +owners are inclined to get very anxious without cause about horses not +feeding, and to imagine that because he refuses to feed, or does not +finish it up with a good appetite, that the animal is in a dangerous +state. Horses are much like ourselves, and we all know that we sometimes +do not feel inclined to do justice to a "square" meal, and that if we dine +off a plate of soup we feel ready for a good breakfast in the morning. If +the horse refuses his feed, or only plays about with it, have it at once +removed; at the next only give him a little hay or grass, and the +probabilities are that at the next he will eat up his grain with a hearty +appetite. If he does not, then the sooner professional advice is called in +the better, as you may be certain that something is wrong. + + +Damaged Food. + +Damaged, mouldy, or sour food, the horse, of course, will not eat unless +he is very hungry, and then only sufficient to stay his appetite. Damaged +grain there is no excuse for, and can only be given through carelessness +or indifference on the part of the owner or his servants. Sour food, or +food that has fermented, is, with the best intentions, likely to be placed +before the animal, as it is surprising how soon fermentation will set up +in damp grain in a hot climate. The food should not be damped more than +twenty minutes or half an hour at the most before it is given, and a dirty +bucket will easily contaminate it. In the hot weather in India, +particularly during the rains, when both man and beast are down below par, +very little will put both off their feed. If the food, however, is at all +sour it ought to be at once detected, as the smell is unmistakable. + + +Irregular Teeth. + +In old horses the back teeth get irregular and worn in such a fashion that +the food cannot be masticated and crushed, and is not then properly +digested. The upper jaw of the horse is wider than the lower one, so that +the upper teeth overlap the lower ones at the outside, and the lower ones +the upper at the inside. By continually wearing, the upper back teeth get +worn down more on the inside than the outside, and the lower ones more on +the outside than the inside, or, in other words, the grinding surface of +the teeth, instead of being horizontal, is at an angle or slope. The horse +masticates his food with a sideways motion of the jaws, crushing the food +between the back teeth like mill-stones, so that if the grinding surfaces +of the teeth are not level, but sloped at an angle, they become locked, +and prevent sufficient sideways play of the jaws. If this is suspected, +the back teeth can be easily inspected by turning the horse with his tail +to the sun, grasping the tongue with the left hand and opening the mouth, +while the light is reflected into it by a small looking-glass held in the +right. They can also be felt by putting one's hand on the outside of the +cheek, where the outer edge of the upper teeth can be easily felt, and +pushing the finger inwards and upwards, so as to get on the grinding +surface when the horse opens his mouth, and the angle they are at can be +at once detected through the cheek. This is, of course, only a rough +method of examination, but it gives one a fair idea of the state the +molars are in. If a tooth is broken or deficient, the corresponding one +in the other jaw from not being worn down will become over-grown and fill +up the vacant space, even growing so long as to damage the gum or bone in +the jaw above or below it, as the case may be, and preventing the horse +feeding. If it is one of the front molars, it is possible that the growth +may be detected from outside, but the probabilities are that a more +careful examination will be necessary, and, at all events, professional +skill required to set matters right. Horses also suffer from decayed +teeth; and, in fact, the whole matter of equine dentistry is much more +important than is usually supposed, many animals remaining poor and thin +simply because their teeth are not properly attended to. + + +Young Horses Cutting Teeth. + +Young horses sometimes have great trouble when cutting their teeth, and if +they go off their feed they should be attended to; but this requires +professional skill. + + +Quidding. + +When young horses begin to what is called "quid" their food, it is almost +a certain indication that there is something wrong with the mouth. +"Quidding" is gathering up a mouthful of hay or grass, rolling it about +in the mouth, and half masticating it till it gets into a lump or ball, +and then spitting it out without swallowing it. Sometimes a dozen or more +of these "quids" will be found in the manger or on the stable floor. + + +Indigestion (_bud hazmie_). + +Indigestion, or dyspepsia, which horses suffer from more commonly than the +public imagine, will put them off their feed; but this is a matter for +professional advice and treatment, and it is exceedingly dangerous for the +owner to go trying domestic remedies. I have had many fatal cases of bowel +diseases brought to me that have arisen solely from this cause. + + +Lampas. + +This is a disorder that is firmly fixed in every groom's mind, both +European and native, and is supposed to consist of a swelling or +inflammation of the palate, or "barbs," just behind the upper incisor +teeth. I do not deny for a moment the existence of such a thing, but what +I do maintain is that in 75 per cent. of the cases brought to one, it +exists only in the imagination of the attendant. The popular remedy some +years ago was to cauterize the part with a hot iron, and I have no +hesitation in saying that any one doing this should be indicted for +cruelty to animals. Lately, the popular treatment has been more merciful +in having the part scarified with a lancet, but even this is useless. +Where lampas does exist, there is more or less enlargement and swelling of +the membrane of the entire alimentary canal, but the "barbs" of the mouth +being the only part visible, it is popularly supposed to be a local +affection. Under these conditions, it will be readily understood how +utterly useless lancing or scarifying one small part of the affected canal +will be. A small dose of aperient medicine, or even putting the horse on a +laxative diet of bran mash for a few days, will do all that is required, +without having recourse to heroic measures. + + +Nose-bags (_tobra_). + +Nose-bags are sadly neglected by "syces," and unless looked after by the +owner, they never dream of cleaning them, so that, particularly with +leather ones, they get into a very filthy condition, and frequently horses +refuse to eat out of such dirty things. Both mangers and nose-bags should +frequently be washed and scrubbed out with soap, or sand and water. +Nose-bags are, at the best, a necessary evil, and if they have to be used +at all, canvas ones are better than leather, being more easily cleaned. I +only allowed nose-bags to be used when on the march, or out in camp; when +in the stable the horses were fed out of an ordinary bucket, or else a +manger, and even then they were not fastened on the head, but held on the +ground. + + +Mangers (_kurlie_). + +In the stable a manger should be used. In an Indian stable one is easily +made out of a shallow, wide-mouthed earthen vessel ("gumalo"), built up +with mud, about three feet high, in the corner. The "syces" can do this +themselves, and the gumalo only costs a few pence in the bazaar. I always +had two built in opposite corners, one for food and the other for water. +If for any reason the manger cannot be built, or there is not one in the +stable, then the horse should be fed out of a tin or zinc bucket, or else +off a feeding-sheet. An old gunney-bag, spread out opened at the seams, +answers admirably. The "syce" should hold the bucket or sheet while he is +feeding, or the horse is very likely to knock the first over, or tear the +sheet, by pawing at it with his fore feet. + + +Worms (_kirim_). + +Parasites, or worms, in the intestines cause horses to lose condition very +quickly. The most common are long white ones, like ordinary earthworms, +about five to eight inches long; and small, very thin thread-like ones, +about three inches long. They cause the horse to become very unthrifty and +thin, the coat being dull, without the natural gloss that is seen in +health, or as it is termed, "hide-bound." The horse is also apt to back up +against any projection, or into a corner, and rub his tail against the +wall, breaking off the hair, and giving it an unsightly appearance. If +worms are suspected, the "syce" should be instructed to look for them in +the horse's droppings in the morning, where the long ones are most likely +to be found; also to examine under his dock, where the small ones will +leave a yellowish incrustation under the root of the tail. An enema of +common salt and water, made by dissolving about a table-spoonful of salt +in a quart of luke-warm water, generally suffices to get rid of the small +ones. The large ones, however, require medical treatment, which should be +left in professional hands. If there are any worms passed, the litter, +droppings, etc., should be carefully burned, and the floor of the stable +scraped and the _debris_ burned, and a new floor laid down. + + +Rubbing the Tail. + +Although commonly due to parasites in the intestines, "particularly the +small thread-worms," with some horses it is a trick; neglect also, and the +irritation caused by dirt, will often cause it. In India it is more often +seen in coarse-bred horses, such as many Australians are, than in +country-breds and Arabs. If it is from dirt, washing the tail well with +soap and water will stop it; if it is a trick, keeping the tail in a +tail-case, which is merely a piece of leather, with buckles and straps to +fasten it on with; or an ordinary roller bandage put round from the tip to +the root will generally stop it. + + +Scouring (_dast_). + +Scouring, or diarrhoea, is usually seen in nervous horses when they get +excited, and, as a rule, disappears when they get quiet again. It is more +commonly seen in light-coloured, or what the horseman calls "washey," +chestnuts and blacks, than any other colour. Some horses will always scour +after a draught of cold water, and with such the chill should be taken off +either by adding a little warm water, or standing the bucket out in the +sun for a couple of hours before it is used. If the scouring persists, +after returning to the stable, let the next feed consist of dry bran, not +"bran mash," and this generally stops it. If a horse that is not in the +habit of doing so suddenly begins scouring, it is a mistake to try and +stop it too suddenly, as frequently it is an effort of nature to throw off +something deleterious to the system. If, however, the diarrhoea should +continue persistent, then professional advice should be obtained. + + + + +WATER. + + +Water (_pani_). + +Horses prefer soft to hard water, and are particularly partial to +rain-water. Many horses refuse to drink at all from a running stream, +unless very thirsty, and even then will not take as much as is necessary. +Mules, which in other respects are hardy animals, are very dainty and +particular about their water. Such horses should be watered either out of +a bucket or a still pool. In mountain and quick running streams there is +often a large quantity of sand and small gravel held in suspension, that +sinks to the bottom in places where the current runs slow. I have seen +more than one death caused by constantly watering horses in such streams, +by the animal swallowing a quantity of such sand; it accumulates in large +masses in the intestines, and causes "sand colic." If it is necessary to +water horses from such places for any length of time, if a suitable pool +cannot be found where the water is still and the sand and gravel can +settle, one should be made by building a dam. + + +Times of Watering. + +Horses should be watered half an hour before feeding, or, if this cannot +be managed, at least two hours should elapse after the feed before he is +allowed to drink his fill. The reason of this is that the hard grain the +horse eats is only partly crushed and broken by the teeth, and it is in +the stomach where it is principally softened before passing on into the +intestines. If, when the stomach is full of partly digested food, a large +quantity of water is given, some of it will be washed into the intestine, +and, being hard, and not properly softened, irritate it and set up colic. +The best plan is to always have water in front of the horse, so that he +can drink when he likes, and I have found that they take much less this +way than when watered at regular times. In India this can be easily done +by building up in mud a wide-mouthed, shallow, earthen vessel, called a +"gumalo," in one corner of the stable, in the same way that a manger is +made. It should be high enough for the horse to conveniently reach it, and +be kept constantly full. + + +Watering Troughs. + +When horses are watered at a trough or stream, as is necessarily the case +with military animals, if they are thirsty they push their noses deep into +it and drink greedily. They then lift their heads and look round them, and +many persons think they have finished. This is not the case, as the horse +is merely recovering his breath after his draught, and he should not be +taken away until he either turns round and will drink no more, or until he +begins to splash the water about with his nose and play with it, which +shows he does not want any more. + + +Watering on a Journey. + +It is commonly supposed that when on a journey horses should not be +watered, but, in a warm climate, as long as only a steady pace is +maintained and only a moderate quantity given, it does not do any harm, +and, to judge from one's own experiences, certainly is refreshing. Of +course, this must be done in moderation, like everything; and it +undoubtedly would be dangerous to allow a horse to drink his fill and then +give him a hard gallop directly afterwards; but, in both the South African +and Australian colonies, I have travelled some hundreds of miles in +post-carts and coaches, and the drivers at pretty nearly every stream they +cross pull up and allow the horses to drink a few mouthfuls. I have never +heard of any harm coming from this practice, and at the end of the journey +they drink far less water than if they had been deprived of it while at +work. In Norway, the carriole drivers water their ponies in the same way, +and it is icy-cold coming from the glaciers. + + +Watering after a Journey. + +When the journey is completed, it is advisable to walk the horse about for +a short time, to allow him to get cool before watering; or, better still, +and what every practical horseman will do, is to pull up and allow him to +walk the last mile, so that he arrives at his stable fairly cool, and not +reeking with perspiration. Grooming also will be greatly facilitated by +this. + + +Watering Bridles (_kazai_). + +Watering bridles are generally very much neglected, "syces" (grooms) never +seeming to think that they require any care or attention. They are +generally a mass of rust and dirt, and having one of these filthy things +put into the mouth, is a much more common cause of horses going off their +feed than is generally supposed. They are frequently thrown out on the +heap of bedding, and left in the sun all day, and when put into the +horse's mouth the iron of the bit is burning hot. I consider that this is +one of the chief reasons of the sores that so frequently form at the +angles of the mouth in the summer months, and which are most troublesome +to cure. The bit of the watering bridle should be scrubbed daily with sand +until it is polished, and the leather-work cleaned with soap (sabon) or +dubbing (momrogan); if this is not done, it very soon perishes with the +heat and becomes rotten, and if a horse is at all fresh and plays about, +it breaks, the animal gets loose, and a serious accident is the result of +the want of a little forethought. + + +Leeches (_jonk_). + +In India leeches frequently get into the nose while the horse is drinking, +especially out of ponds and streams, and although they are not absolutely +dangerous, they cause troublesome bleeding, and make the animal cough and +sneeze. They are sometimes very difficult to get rid off, and the best +plan is to place some water in a bucket before the horse and splash it +about. The leech is attracted by this, and comes down the nostril, when +it can be caught if the operator is quick enough. A handkerchief is +necessary, as the leech is too slippery to hold in the fingers. It is +generally best to let one of the "syces" do this, promising him a small +reward when the nuisance is got rid of, as some of them are wonderfully +expert at it, and have untiring patience. + + +Wells. + +In some Indian towns there is a water supply laid on to the houses by +pipes, but in the majority it is obtained from a well (khua) in the +compound. In these cases a water-carrier ("bheestie") has to be kept to +draw and carry water for the household and stables, which he brings in a +leather bag; "mussuk," the small leather bucket that he uses to fill the +bag with, being called a "dholl." These water-bags should be renewed twice +a year, as they get very foul inside if kept much longer, and they are +only worth about Rs. 2 each. Very few people ever think of cleaning out +the well, but it should be done at least once a year, as it is surprising +the amount of rubbish, such as dead leaves and vegetation, gets into it. +The landlord of the house should undertake this, but it is generally +difficult to get him to do it without the tenant threatening to do it +himself and deduct the cost out of the rent. There are professional +well-cleaners in Northern India, who will do the work by contract. As a +rule, it takes about three days, as the well has to be pumped dry by +working the lifting wheel with relays of bullocks day and night, when a +man goes down and removes the accumulation of rubbish from the bottom. +Care should be taken to first lower down a lighted candle, or throw a +bundle of lighted straw down before any one is allowed to descend, as +there is frequently an accumulation of foul gas at the bottom, and I have +known more than one accident from neglect of this precaution. Unless I had +very good reason for knowing that the well had been lately cleaned, I +always had this done on going into a new house. If this is neglected, the +water during the rainy season is apt to get very foul, and I have known +severe outbreaks of illness from this cause both in men and animals. + + + + +AIR AND VENTILATION. + + +Stables. + +Nothing is worse for horses than close, ill-ventilated stables, and in +India, where they are made out of such cheap material as mud and sun-dried +brick, there is no excuse for their being too small. In some of the newer +houses, stables are made out of burned brick; but I prefer the older ones +of mud or sun-dried brick, as the walls are generally thicker, and this +makes them cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It is also of +importance that they should not be too low, but of the two evils I should +prefer a small stable with a lofty roof to a larger one with a low one, +provided there was ventilation in the top. Every stable should have a good +deep verandah round it; it not only keeps off the sun in the summer, but +is useful to put bedding, etc., in during the rain. If there is no +verandah, one can be easily made with the flat straw screens used by +natives, called "jamps," and bamboo supports. The doorways should be high +and wide, so that there is no danger of the horse hitting his hips or head +against it in going in and out. A fractured hip-bone is frequently caused +by horses rushing through narrow doorways, and a troublesome disease known +as "poll evil" is generally caused by striking the head against too low a +one. It is also well to have the sides of the door-posts rounded off, not +left at an angle. If there is no window at the back of the stable, +opposite the door, one should be made above the horse's head, and another +smaller one on a level with the floor, so as to allow the air to circulate +freely. If possible, avoid a draught, but always remember that it is +better to have plenty of fresh air and a draught than a stuffy stable +without one, as the horse can always be kept warm with extra clothing, +bandages, and bedding. Thatched roofs are much cooler in summer and warmer +in winter than the flat earthen ones that are generally used in Northern +India. Indian stables are almost always divided off into loose boxes, the +partition walls being continued up to the roof. I think they should be +only built high enough to prevent the horses teasing each other over them, +as if continued right up they interfere with the free circulation of the +air. If this cannot be done, on account of the partitions helping to +support the roof, a window should be knocked through in each. In South +Africa stables are usually simply a long shed with a manger running down +the back wall, without any partitions between the standings, and the +horses are simply tied up to a ring in the manger with the head rope. Cape +horses are, however, exceedingly quiet, and will stand still all day long. +They never seem to think of kicking or biting at each other like the +Indian country-bred does. + + +Chicks. + +The plague of flies in the East, particularly during the rains, cannot be +realized in England, and if not protected against them, they will almost +worry horses to death. For this reason the doors and windows of the stable +should be fitted with "chicks," or mats, made out of split bamboos or +reeds, with interspaces between them, which allow of light and air passing +through, but which will keep the flies out. They are not very costly +articles, and add most materially to the comfort of the horse. If +carefully looked after, and not let flap about in the wind, they will last +for years with a very small annual expenditure for repairs. + + +Stable Floors. + +The stable floor should be made of wet clay beaten down, and left to +thoroughly dry. This can be carried out by the "syces," and if thoroughly +done, they will last a good many months. I always make it a practice to +dig up the floors of stables in a new house, before they are occupied, a +foot and a half deep, and thoroughly renew it, and usually it is +astounding the amount of foul earth that has to be removed. I also have +the whole of the floor picked up and renewed once a year--for choice, at +the end of September or beginning of October, after the rains have +stopped. Any moisture should be at once removed, before it has time to +soak into the floor; or, if it has, the moist earth should be swept away +with a broom (jaru), made out of a number of pliable twigs tied together, +and fresh dry earth sprinkled over the top of it. A supply of dry powdered +earth should be kept outside each stable door in a box ready for use when +required. The ordinary earth that is in the compound will not do to make +floors out of, although "syces" will use it if allowed, as it is less +trouble to get than clay (kicher ke muttee), but it will not bind, and +when trodden on breaks up and wears into dust. + + +Charcoal (_khoalie_). + +Although it looks dirty, powdered charcoal sprinkled over the floor has a +powerful effect as a deodorizer. The ashes of a wood fire do nearly as +well as charcoal for this purpose, and can be obtained anywhere, as wood +is universally used for fuel all over India. In some stables earthenware +vessels (chatties) are buried under the floor to catch the urine. This is +an abominable, filthy custom, and should never be permitted, as there is +no more certain cause of disease. Diseases of the feet, such as foul +smelling, suppurating frogs, thrush, and canker, are in the majority of +cases caused by horses standing on wet, filthy floors. + + +Picketing. + +In the hot season horses should, if possible, be picketed out at night as +soon as it gets cool in the evening. It is the greatest relief to an +animal to be brought out of a hot stable into the open air, even if the +actual temperature is no less than indoors. If the flies or mosquitos are +troublesome, the nets sold for the purpose will keep them off. If the net +is not sufficient, a fire made out of the stable litter on the windward +side will drive them away, and horses do not mind smoke. It is as well to +have a regular standing made with mud, in the same way as the stable +flooring, as otherwise the ground soon gets broken up and foul. The +standing should be swept clean every morning, and mended in the same way +as the stable floors are. + + +Bedding (_bechalie_). + +There is nothing better than clean straw for bedding, and it is a great +mistake to stint horses in it. If a good deep bed is given, they will lie +down and rest themselves, whereas, if there is not enough, and the floor +feels hard through it, they will walk about over it, and far more will be +wasted than if the horse was lying down on it. The bedding should be taken +up every morning, and any soiled straw removed. It should be well shaken +up and spread out in the sun to dry and air, and at night, when again put +down for use, a small quantity of fresh straw added to it. In wet weather +the bedding can be aired and dried in the verandah. All soiled straw and +droppings should be at once removed in a basket (tokrie), which should be +provided for the purpose; and it is wonderful, if this plan is adopted, +how little fresh straw is required to keep the horse constantly supplied +with a good bed; and nothing is more saving to the wear and tear of the +legs and feet than to get the animal to lie down at night. In Australia +and South Africa wheat or oat straw can be obtained, but in India rice +straw is generally used, or else the long elephant grass that grows on the +banks of rivers and swampy places. Both are good enough for the purpose, +only they are brittle, and more is required than when wheat straw is used, +as they quickly break up. + + +Sawdust (_burradah_). + +In the north of India the deodar, or Himalayan cedar sawdust, can always +be obtained from any of the timber depots on the banks of the large +rivers, almost for the expense of carting it away. It makes a good bed if +straw cannot be obtained, but is liable to stick to the horse and get in +under his coat if at all long, and gives much more work grooming. It is +also more troublesome to remove in the morning to air, and if any wind is +blowing a good deal gets wasted. If used, it is best to have it spread out +in one stall and leave it there, only using it at night, putting the horse +into another during the daytime. Any sawdust that gets damp or soiled +should be at once removed, as it very soon begins to smell badly. + + +Shavings. + +Shavings of deodar or pine can also be obtained, but they require to be +carefully sorted out, as there are likely to be splinters in them, and in +lying down the horse may give himself a bad wound. + + +Sand (_ret_). + +Sand can be obtained anywhere along the banks of the rivers; but it is +hard, and does not form a very yielding bed, and I should not use it if +anything else could be got. It requires to be sifted, to get rid of the +pebbles and stones it contains. If straw is scarce and sand has to be +used, the best plan is to put a layer of about a foot of sand over the +floor, and a thin layer of straw over it; this will make a much softer bed +than the sand alone. + + +Horses eating Bedding. + +This is a trick some horses have, and from which they seldom can be cured. +It is generally the custom to put a muzzle (chik-na) on them at night; but +this, of course, stops their feeding at all. I prefer to bed them down +with sand, sawdust, or shavings, and leave them free to feed at night. If +a muzzle is used, it should be a wire one, not leather, as these get very +foul and dirty, and interfere with the horse's breathing, which the wire +one does not. + + +Exercise. + +In India it is usual to exercise ordinary hacks, polo ponies, and harness +horses, not doing any special work, twice a day--morning and evening. The +length of time they are out, and the amount of ground they cover, is very +variable--in most cases depending on whether the "syce" is in a mood to +take exercise or not himself. They usually take horses out on the road to +the bazaar, or some favourite meeting-place; and it is not an uncommon +thing to see a couple of dozen horses, belonging to various people, +standing about, while their respective "syces" are sitting about, smoking +and discussing their masters and various bazaar topics of interest. Under +these circumstances the horses do not get much exercise; and many a +mysterious injury, that cannot be accounted for, is inflicted by their +kicking at each other while standing about in this manner. If the compound +is large enough, it is a good plan to make a ring with the stable litter +and have the horses exercised round it. You can then be certain they are +getting a fair amount of work; but a large ring is necessary, and if there +is a garden it spoils the compound. Furthermore, horses get into a very +careless, slovenly way of walking when led round and round in this +monotonous fashion daily. "Syces" generally lead horses at exercise, and +most horse-owners will not allow them to ride; but I think this is a +mistake, and if they can ride, I always allow them to do so. If they lead +the horse, he will go along in a listless fashion, and walk with his head +down, stumbling at every step; whereas, if he is ridden, he will carry his +head up and go in a much more lively and collected fashion, and it being +much pleasanter for the "syce" to ride than walk, the full amount of +exercise is more likely to be taken. "Syces" nearly always ride at +exercise bare-backed; but they should be made use a folded blanket as a +pad, kept in its place by a body-roller, as the anatomy of the native of +India is such that, without any protection, he is likely to give the horse +a sore back. They should also only be let use a snaffle bridle, as few +know how to handle a double one. When at exercise knee-caps should be +worn. These should be bought from a European saddler, and care be taken +that the top strap is fitted with a piece of indiarubber in the middle, +to allow of its giving with the motion of the limb. If there is not this +indiarubber spring, when the top strap is buckled tight enough to prevent +the cap slipping down, the motion will cause it to rub the skin at the +back of the knee; and I have seen some bad abrasions, that caused +temporary lameness, from this cause. If the top strap is buckled loose +enough to avoid this chafing, then the knee-cap won't stay up in its +proper place, if it has no spring. The country-made knee-caps sold by the +native saddlers seldom are fitted with it; and if they are they cannot be +relied on, as generally the indiarubber is bad and perished. The lower +strap of the knee-cap should be buckled quite loose, it being only +required to keep it down and prevent it flapping about; but "syces" are +very apt to draw it tight also, and if they do, it is pretty certain to +cut the skin. + + + + +GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, Etc. + + +Heel Ropes (_pecharie_). + +If possible, horses should be left loose, which generally can be done in +India, as most of the stables are loose boxes. Sometimes it is necessary +to fasten them up, such as when picketed out at night in the hot weather +or on the march. There are several plans of picketing, each having its +advantages and disadvantages; but as these generally apply to military +animals, I will merely mention those commonly used in private stables. The +most common plan is to fasten the horse up with head and heel ropes, to +wooden pegs driven into the ground. Heel ropes (pecharie) consist of +either two ropes about twelve feet long, ending in a single one, so as to +be Y-shaped, the single one being fastened to a wooden peg (make) driven +into the ground, and the two arms to the horse's hind fetlocks by means of +leather straps, called "muzzumas." These straps are loops of rope covered +with leather, to one end of which the heel rope is tied, and into which +the hind foot is slipped, being secured by a flat leather thong wound +round the middle of it behind the fetlock joint to prevent its slipping +off. The strap is then of a fig. 8, or hour-glass shape, the heel rope +being tied in one loop, the foot placed in the other, the thong forming +the neck or constriction. These, I think, are the best form of leather +foot strap; but in buying them care should be taken that the stitching of +the leather is on the outside, as if it is on the inside, where natives +often put it, it is very likely to rub the skin and cause a bad cracked +heel. Another form of "muzzuma" is made out of stiff flat leather lined +with felt. This has a slip loop going round it, with a buckle on one side +and a strap on the other, that runs along the centre. The heel rope is +tied to one end, the foot put into the other, and when the strap is +buckled tightly, the running loop is drawn close up to the heel, so as to +keep the whole arrangement in its place. This form of "muzzuma" is the +usual kind sold; but it is objectionable, as the edges get stiff and hard, +and are likely to cut the heel, which the round ones do not. Both sorts of +leather "muzzumas" require to be kept soft and pliable with dubbing +(momrogan), which "syces" never think necessary. I, however, prefer those +made out of plaited hemp or tow. They are merely a band of loosely plaited +tow, about eighteen inches long, the heel rope being fastened to one end, +and secured by a string or tape just behind the fetlock; they are much +softer than the leather ones, and quite as strong. The disadvantage, +however, is that they soon wear out, but they are very cheap; in fact, the +"syces" can make them themselves out of the raw hemp or tow (sun). They +are used by many of the native cavalry regiments in India in preference to +the leather ones. The heel ropes can be made out of one long rope doubled, +a "muzzuma" fastened to each free end, and the doubled portion to a +tent-peg. When heel ropes are used, one should be put on each hind leg; it +is dangerous to only put on one, and I have seen more than one fractured +thigh caused by this. If the heel ropes are on both hind legs, and the +horse kicks, he has to do so straight into the air, as there is equal +restraint on both; but if there is only one, the unequal check of the +single rope is likely to cause a fracture. If allowed, "syces" will always +pull the heel ropes so tight as to stretch the horse out; they should be +loose enough to allow him to stand in a natural position. + + +Head Ropes (_aghari_). + +Head ropes should be fastened to the ring on the head collar (nukta) under +the chin. There should either be two separate ropes, one end of each +fastened to the ring, or one long one doubled in the middle, the central +portion fastened to the ring, and the two ends to two wooden pegs driven +into the ground about three or four feet on each side of the horse's head. +If only a single rope is used, it must, naturally, be fastened to a peg +straight in front, and, to allow the horse to move his head up and down, +must be loose. When fastened in this way he is exceedingly likely to get +his fore leg over the rope and get hung up in it, a nasty wound in the +heel or at the back of the knee being the result, if nothing worse; +whereas, if the ropes are pegged out on each side, he can move about +freely, and it would be difficult for him to get his leg over them. Both +head and heel ropes should be made of hemp; the cotton rope used in India +for most purposes is not strong enough, and soon breaks and wears out. In +Peshawur and along the north-west frontier, a rope is made of goat hair +that is very strong, and is excellent for this purpose. It is somewhat +more expensive than ordinary rope, but with care will last a long time, +and will amply repay itself. Both head and heel ropes should be tied to +the pegs in a slipknot, so that with a single pull horses can be set free +when necessary. "Syces" will usually tie them in a jam-knot, and horses +struggling to get loose when frightened very often badly injure themselves +before they can be set free. + + +Fetlock Picketing. + +A method of picketing horses was introduced into the Indian army some +years ago, by dispensing with head ropes and using a short chain shackle +about three feet long, buckled round one of the fore fetlocks, and +fastened to a peg driven into the ground. This was chiefly done with the +object of reducing the weight carried, and with animals used for military +purposes, doubtless fulfilled the purpose, but in a private stable I fail +to see its advantages over the other plan. + + +Picketing Posts. + +When horses are picketed outside the stable, and there is space enough, +picketing posts are the most preferable method, as they allow greater +freedom than any other. A stout smooth post, about five or six inches in +diameter, is driven several feet into the ground, so that it is five or +six feet above the surface, a strong iron ring is slipped over it, and to +this the head rope is made fast; no heel ropes are used, and the horse can +move round it as he pleases. The post must be smooth, so that there is +nothing for the ring to catch in, and when put into the ground the point +should be put into the fire and charred, or covered with kerosene oil, to +keep off the white ants. It will also have to be examined occasionally to +see that it is not damaged or rotten. The only drawback to this plan is +that, if there are several horses, a considerable space is necessary, as +they must be far enough apart to prevent their kicking at each other. + + +Ringing. + +In South Africa and the colonies horses are picketed by the method known +as "ringing," the head rope of one being fastened to the head collar of +the next, and so on, till the head rope of the last is in its turn +fastened to the head collar of the first, their heads forming a ring +looking inwards. Colonial horses will stand like this for hours together; +but they are very quiet, and behave in a different way to the Indian +country-bred. I have seen the same plan used in a cavalry regiment of the +Italian army on the march near Milan. + + +Rheims. + +In South Africa head ropes are made of prepared raw hide called "rheims." +They are prepared by the Kaffir women out of raw ox hide, and are very +strong and supple, and are excellent for the purpose. + + +Knee-haltering. + +Knee-haltering is also a South African plan of securing horses when turned +out to graze. The fore leg is lifted up, so that the forearm from the +elbow to the knee is parallel to the ground. The head rope, or "rheim," is +then fastened above the knee, the head being pulled a little downwards. +The horse is then turned out to graze on the veldt, and when his head is +down feeding he can use his limbs and walk about as he likes, but as soon +as he puts up his head to trot or gallop the fore leg is pulled up, and he +has only three to go on, and can easily be caught. + + +Shackles (_bheri_). + +The natives of India use iron shackles, much like handcuffs, to fasten +with a key round both fore fetlocks of horses when turned out loose; but +they are not a desirable invention, and in young animals are very likely +to cause ringbones. But this, I think, is on account of their clumsy shape +and being constantly worn, as I believe shackles made out of round iron +that shut with a spring were used by the Canadian mounted police at one +time when turning their horses out, and they found they did not chafe and +rub so much as leather ones did. It was found that even moving through the +wet grass the steel hobbles were polished, kept bright, and required no +attention, whereas the leather ones perished and became hard, and gave +constant trouble unless carefully looked after. I have never tried this +plan myself, for I have found the Cape system of knee-haltering when +turning animals out to graze the best I have yet come across. + + +Picketing-pegs (_make_). + +Picketing-pegs should be made out of hard wood about eighteen inches to +two feet long; iron ones are dangerous. They should be driven into the +ground in a slanting direction, the point towards and the head away from +the animal, to resist the strain on it. If there are no tent-pegs, or the +ground is so soft that there is no holding for them, a hole a couple of +feet deep can be dug, and a bundle of straw or a couple of tent-pegs tied +crossways buried in it, the earth trodden down, and the rope brought out +at the surface. This will give ample holding, and may be practically +tested, for although a vertical pull will easily bring it up, the +strongest man will fail to move it if the strain is horizontal. + + +Leading-ropes (_bagh durie_). + +Leading-ropes are things that ruin half the horses' mouths in India, and I +never let such a thing into the stable. If they are used as they were +originally intended to be, that is, buckled into the ring of the snaffle +or watering bridle to lead the horse with, they do no harm; but it is +impossible to prevent "syces" from passing them over the head and then +back through both rings, so as to form a gag, and this they hang on to. I +always make them use a leading-chain, which is a leather strap with about +a foot of chain and a snap-hook at the end of it. The hook fastens into +the ring of the snaffle, and they cannot well pass the strap over the head +to turn it into a gag. It seems impossible to teach a "syce" how to lead a +horse in a watering bridle, and I find these chains the best compromise. + + +Brushes and Gear. + +The grooming utensils required in an Indian stable are very simple: a +horse-brush, curry-comb, bucket, some dusters, and a hoof-picker, being +the sum total; but only one of these last is required among five or six +horses. It is best to get English bristle brushes, they last out two of +the native fibre ones, and are very little more expensive. Good +horse-brushes are made by several firms in Cawnpore, and, of course, when +a large number are used, the saving is considerable if the country-made +article is bought, but where only a small number are required, this is a +false economy. + + +Curry-combs. + +These an Indian "syce" cannot get on without, and although he only uses it +to wear out the brush, still, after all, it does not do so very much harm; +but a bad, lazy man, if he is not prevented, will use it to scrape the +dirt off the horse with. Country-breds are generally very thin-skinned, +and feel the comb very much if scarified with it, as the "syce" is very +fond of doing; and I am positive that this practice in many cases has to +account for much of the proverbial bad temper of these animals. The +curry-comb should never be put on the horse's body at all, and in reality +it is useless. If it can be managed, it is best not to give the "syces" +such things, the only use of them being to clean the brush with, and this +can be done just as well with the palm of the left hand, and the brush +does not wear out so quickly; but it is the custom to use the comb, and it +is hard to prevent it. + + +Buckets (_balti_). + +Buckets can be bought anywhere. Zinc ones are better than tin, although +perhaps a little more expensive; one should be provided for each horse. + + +Dusters (_jharans_). + +Dusters are things that native servants of every sort seem to consume in +enormous quantities, and unless some check is put on it, the number used +at the end of the month will be astonishing. Either the old one should be +produced before another is given, or else some contract be given to them +to provide them for themselves; but the former plan is the best; if the +contract system is adopted, filthy rags will be used. They are luckily +exceedingly cheap, and are made nearly everywhere. + + +Hoof-picker (_sum khodna_). + +A hoof-picker can be made out of almost any piece of rod-iron, and one +should be hung up in every stable. One for every four or five horses is +enough. + + +Clothing (_gurdaine_). + +In Northern India, if horses are not clipped they require in the winter at +least two thick rugs, and if they are clipped an extra one, as the climate +from November to the end of February is bitterly cold. The ordinary +country clothing, made out of "mundah," and sold in the bazaars, called +"jhools," keeps horses warm and answers its purpose, and is cheap--a rug +of this material costing about Rs. 3; but I think myself that it is false +economy to get it, and that the horse-clothing made at the Muir or Elgin +mills at Cawnpore, or the Egerton mills at Dhariwal, in the Punjab, +although perhaps at first somewhat more expensive, will in the end be +found the cheapest, as with care one suit of this will last many years, +whereas the country clothing is seldom much good after a second winter's +wear. This clothing is made in all sorts of colours, and turned out in +suits, and is every bit as good as English manufactured. Country blankets +(kumbal) can also be got; and the condemned soldiers' blankets, that are +periodically sold by the military authorities, make excellent horse-rugs. +I always think it best to get regular horse-clothing shaped and pieced out +at the neck to buckle across the chest, or, at all events, to have one rug +like this, even if the rest are ordinary square blankets, as the shaped +clothing protects the front of the chest, which the square blanket will +not do. The blanket can be used in the daytime, and the rug on the top at +night, buckling across the chest, as leaving this part of the body exposed +is a fruitful source of coughs and colds. Aprons, breast-pieces, and +quarter-cords are seldom seen in India, except on race horses, and then +only as a fancy matter. + + +Hoods (_khansilla_). + +Hoods with hacks, harness horses, and polo ponies are not often required; +but if horses are sensitive to cold, particularly if they are standing out +at night, they are no doubt a great protection. They are made up of the +same material as the country "jhool," and they also can be got to match +the clothing made at any of the woollen mills. In any case it is a good +thing to have a spare hood in the stable, even if it is not habitually +used, as when a horse begins to cough if at once put on a severe cold is +often averted. + + +Body-rollers (_paities_, or _farakis_). + +Body-rollers are sold in the bazaar shops of native manufacture, but are +most flimsy, and I strongly advise that either English ones, or else those +made by any of the manufacturers of leather goods at Cawnpore, which are +nearly as good as English ones, be used, although they may at first be a +little more expensive. The common country rollers are always breaking, and +never being properly stuffed, the webbing in the centre of the two pads +presses on the ridge of the spine when the roller is buckled up. There is +no more fruitful cause of sore backs than this, especially if horses are +at all thin and standing out in the open. "Syces" have a trick of pulling +up the straps of the roller as tight as possible, and if it gets wet with +the dew or rain it shrinks up, and the tight webbing cuts and pinches the +skin over the backbone, causing a sore back. With a properly made roller +the pressure is taken on the sides of the back by the two pads, and the +webbing does not come in contact with the skin at all. In any case, if the +horses are standing out in the open at night, it is always advisable to go +round the last thing and let the roller out a hole or two. If country +rollers are used, direct pressure of the webbing on the spine can be taken +off by putting a folded up duster or a handful of straw under it. If the +back has been pinched or rubbed the roller should be left off, and the +blankets or clothing kept in their place by a couple of tapes or pieces of +string stitched to the edge of each and tied under the body. + + +Bandages (_puttie_). + +Woollen bandages on the legs greatly add to the horse's comfort when +standing out on a cold night. The ordinary ones sold in the bazaar answer +well enough, only they are generally a little too wide and not long +enough. The bandage should be put on commencing from below and finishing +under the knee or hock, and not in the reverse direction, commencing +above, as is often done. The tapes should be tied in a bow outside. What +is known as the Newmarket bandage, made out of a semi-elastic woollen +material, is an excellent one. It stretches somewhat when put on the leg, +and gives it support. They, however, are somewhat expensive--about Rs. 4 +a set--but with ordinary care will outlast several pairs of country ones. +A good bandage is made by the Muir Mills Company at Cawnpore out of the +cotton webbing called "newar"; they are very cheap and good, but are not +so warm as the cotton ones. + + +Summer Clothing. + +This is rather a superfluity, and, unless with race horses, is not usually +indulged in, for at the time it could be worn it generally is so hot that +the less the horse has on him the better. Usually one of the blankets used +in the winter is kept to throw over him when standing about, or when +walking back from work. Drill summer clothing can be obtained at any of +the woollen mills in India in a variety of patterns, or a native tailor +(durzie) will make it up in your own verandah if you give him a pattern. +At least two suits per horse are required, as it very soon gets dirty in +the warm season and requires washing. + + +Eye Fringes (_makieara_). + +Eye fringes are absolutely necessary in India, and are used in parts of +Australia to protect the eyes from the flies. They are fastened on to the +cheek strap of the head collar with a small tab and button-hole in place +of a brow band, and have a fringe of either leather or cotton cords that +hang down over the eyes halfway to the nose. I prefer the cord ones; the +fringes are always flat and in contact with the face, whereas the leather +ones are liable to curl up at the ends and allow the flies to get +underneath. The cotton ones are easier mended than the leather. + + +Fly Whisks (_chaurie_). + +I always give each "syce" a fly whisk to keep flies off the horse while at +exercise, or when he is holding him anywhere. They are very cheap, last a +long time, and if not provided, the "syce" will arm himself with a dirty +duster or rag of some sort for the purpose. I may, perhaps, be too +sensitive on this point, but to see a dirty rag flourished about an +otherwise well-turned-out animal is to me a great eyesore. + + +Cleaning Horse Clothing, and Storing it in the Summer. + +It never enters the head of a "syce" that clothing requires to be cleaned. +It should be frequently hung out in the sun and well beaten with a stick, +like a carpet is, and then well brushed on both sides with a stiff +clothes-brush. If necessary, it should be laid out flat and scrubbed with +a brush and soap and water, rinsed out with cold water, as hot will make +it shrink, and then, when dry again, beaten and brushed. The straps on +pieced rugs should have some dubbing (momrogan) now and again rubbed into +them, to prevent their getting hard and the leather perishing. Summer +clothing should be sent to the washerman (dhobie) to be washed. During the +summer months woollen clothing should be first cleaned, and then folded up +and put away, some camphor, pepper, and leaves of the "neem" tree, that +grows in every garden in Northern India, being placed between the folds to +keep off the moths. They should be folded away on the top of a box, board, +or table, or somewhere raised off the ground, to be out of the way of the +white ants, and once a week be unfolded and hung out in the sun to air for +a few hours, folded up, and stored away again. There is no occasion to +waste the spices that are with them; if they are carefully unfolded over +some newspapers, the whole can be collected and used again. + + +Numdahs. + +If used at all, felt numdahs should have a plain edge, and not be bound +with coloured tape, as they so often are; particularly the cheaper ones, +that are sold by native saddlers. I have frequently seen sore backs +caused by this tape binding, as well as the hair in white horses +discoloured by the edge. When put on, the numdah should be well pulled up +into the arch of the saddle, particularly in front. The common practice is +to put the numdah flat on the back, and then the saddle on the top of it, +so that when the weight comes on it, the numdah gets tight and is +stretched, and is a common cause of sore backs and galled withers. When +taken off the horse's back, the numdah should be spread out in the sun to +dry; it should then be beaten with a stick and brushed with a hard brush +to get the dry caked perspiration out of it, and to bring the nap of the +felt up again. If this is not done it will get as hard as a board, and +neglected numdahs are certain to give sore backs. If the saddle is +properly stuffed and fitted to the horse's back, a numdah is not required, +the only use of it being to save the lining of the saddle, and for this +purpose I prefer a leather one. + + +Grooming (_malish_). + +Grooming is an art that native grooms excel in. They have infinite +patience, and their long supple fingers are peculiarly adapted for the +work. They, furthermore, are used to it, for every Oriental is an adept +at shampooing or massage, constantly doing it to their own limbs and those +of their friends. When the horse comes in from work the bridle should be +taken off him, hung up on a peg, and a watering bridle put into his mouth, +the stirrup irons run up to the top of the leathers, and the girths +slackened. If there is a breast-plate it can be taken off, but the saddle +should not be removed till the back gets cool. According to the season of +the year, a light or warm rug should be thrown over the quarters, and the +horse walked about till he gets cool. If there is much mud sticking on +him, it can be rubbed off with a wisp of straw before the brush is used. +Horses should not be washed, or, if they are, only under very exceptional +circumstances, when specially ordered. It is, however, a favourite +practice among "syces," as it saves a good deal of trouble; and it is much +easier to wash off mud and dirt than to remove it with the brush, as ought +to be done; they are also very apt to use the curry-comb for this purpose. +When the horse is cool he should be gone over with the brush, to remove +what dirt is remaining, and when this is finished the process should be +repeated with the hands, the palm and bend of the wrist being used for +this purpose. If it is the hot weather, the grooming had best be done +out-of-doors; but in winter it is best to do it in the stable, as in +Northern India there is a cold wind blowing even in the middle of the day, +and if exposed to it horses are liable to catch cold. As soon as the +grooming is finished, which with a clipped horse can be done in about half +an hour, the clothing and bandages should be put on, and, if it is +evening, the bed put down. Even if not worked, this process of grooming +should take place twice a day--before the morning and evening feed. + + +Wisps and Grooming Pads. + +Straw wisps or leather pads are particularly useful in developing the +muscle of a thin animal, or bringing the skin into order when it has been +neglected. The wisps are made by twisting some of the bedding straw +together into a rope about three feet long. This is then doubled in the +middle and again twisted, so as to form a flat pad. Two of these wisps are +used, one in each hand, and they are alternately brought down with a +slight slap and drawing motion in the direction of the hair, the whole +body being massaged with them. It is sometimes a good plan, if there is +much dirt in the coat, to cover the pad with a damp duster; the dirt +seems to stick to it. This is particularly useful when horses are changing +their coats; the hair sticks to the damp cloth, and the old coat is +brought out quicker than it otherwise would be. The grooming pads are used +in the same way. They are two circles of leather about four or five inches +in diameter, joined together with a strip of chamois leather about three +inches wide, so as to form a pad or cushion, that is stuffed with tow. On +one side a piece of leather or webbing is stitched at each end, +sufficiently loose to allow the hand to be slipped under it in the same +way as the horse brush. Two of these pads are used, and the skin beaten or +massaged by each hand alternately. Although, perhaps, at first horses are +fidgety, when they get used to it they appear to enjoy it; and it has the +advantage of letting the owner know, if he is not in sight, that the +"syce" is working by the noise he makes. + + +Hand-rubbing. + +If horses are inclined to get filled on swollen legs, the tendons should +be well hand-rubbed for five minutes at each grooming hour. This +hand-rubbing should commence from the lower portion of the limb and be +continued upwards, not in the reverse direction, which is the usual +practice. The limb should be lifted up, and the fingers worked with a +kneading motion behind the tendons. + + +Washing. + +The feet, mane and tail are the only parts that should ever be washed, +unless specially ordered, and then as seldom as possible. When the feet +are washed, great care should be taken that they are carefully dried +afterwards, and bandages put on, as leaving the legs wet is one of the +chief causes of cracked heels, more especially in the winter months, if +there is a dry cold wind blowing. If soap is used, it should be soft-soap; +or, better still, the soap nut, or "reita." This is a berry, the shell or +outer covering of which, when soaked in water, swells up into a sticky +mass, that lathers like soap, and by natives of India is used for washing +purposes. + + +Uneven Manes. + +When the mane gets ragged and uneven, it should be carefully brushed down +four or five times a day with a damp water brush, to make it lie flat. The +long hairs on the under side next the neck should be pulled out, so that +the mane is thinned, and the lower part lies in a perfect curve along the +neck. Some horses object, and are a little troublesome during this +process; but, if it is done gradually, it can be easily accomplished. The +long hairs in the mane should never be cut, unless it is intended to clip +it off altogether, and make it into a "hogged" mane. If the mane will not +lie down flat with an even sweep, it can be covered with a cake of mud for +four or five days, when it should be removed, and renewed if necessary. +Being dry, it will crack, and the pieces can be easily knocked off, and +the dust brushed out. The mud cake generally has the desired effect after +having been applied four or five times. + + +Hogged Manes. + +The manes of polo ponies and cobs it is the fashion to "hog," or cut off +close to the neck. It is best to leave the forelock, as it gives a certain +protection against the flies and glare of the sun; also, to leave a lock +of hair on the wither, to grasp with the hand when mounting. The best +implement to hog a mane with is a pair of ordinary horse-clippers, but +don't use a new pair, or they will get spoiled; old ones that are no use +for the rest of the body, do well enough. It is best to sit on the +animal's back when the mane is being hogged, and to cut forwards; the +hair will be cut much smoother, and a neater job made of it than when +standing on the ground at the side. + + +Ragged Legs. + +If the horse is not clipped, the long hairs at the back of the legs look +very unsightly. They should be pulled out, not cut off. If a little +powdered resin is rubbed on the finger and thumb, the hair will stick to +it, and come out much more easily, and the legs will have a smooth, even +appearance, which can never be attained if they are cut off with scissors, +no matter how carefully this is done; there will always be jagged ridges +left. The long hairs under the jowl can be singed off by passing a lighted +candle under the jaw once or twice. If the horse is at all frightened at +the candle, he can be blindfolded; but the operation is so quick, that +generally it is all over before he is aware of what is being done. The +long hairs on the muzzle and chin can be clipped off with a pair of +ordinary scissors. If the horse is not clipped all over, attention to +these one or two little details make all the difference in his appearance, +and in his being turned out smart, or the reverse. + + +Trimming Tails. + +The tail should be grasped close to the root with one hand, which is run +down so that the hairs are all gathered together, and a string or tape +tied round below the fleshy part at the tip. The tail should then be drawn +out straight, and the hair cut off with a single sweep of a sharp knife +just below where the string is tied. The blade of the knife must be long +enough to give a drawing sweep, which an ordinary pocket-knife will not +do. There is nothing better for this than a sharp native sword, or +"tulwar," as it is long enough to cut through all the hair at one stroke; +or, failing a sword, a sharp carving-knife will do, the longer in the +blade the better. Any uneven ends of hair that remain can afterwards be +trimmed off with a pair of scissors; or, better still, by a pair of sheep +shears. Tail-cutting machines are sold with an arrangement to fix the hair +of the tail with a clamp, on which there is a sliding cutting-blade. These +cut the hair off very smoothly and evenly; the only drawback is that they +are somewhat expensive, costing about Rs. 16 in Calcutta or Bombay. + + +Clipping. + +Arabs and many country-breds carry such fine coats that they do not +require clipping, but most Australians and colonials do; and if the coat +is at all inclined to get long and thick, it certainly should be taken +off, for horse-clothing is so cheap that an extra rug can always be got. +Horses should not be clipped till the coat has "set," _i.e._ till the long +winter coat has grown, and no more hairs will come off when the hand is +rubbed over the skin. This is generally about the beginning of October in +Northern India. They will generally require clipping twice or three times +during the winter, or up to the middle of March. There are generally some +professional clippers in every station, who bring their own +clipping-machines, and charge about two or three rupees for a pony, and an +extra rupee for a horse each time; or, if there is not such an individual +about, permission can generally be obtained to have it done by any of the +cavalry regiments in the station. It should be remembered that horses +having just lost their coats will require an extra rug that night. + + +Cleaning the Sheath. + +The owner must himself occasionally see that the horse's sheath is washed +out. "Syces" never think this necessary, and the part gets into a filthy, +dirty state, that in the summer months is likely to give rise to a +troublesome sore, called a "bursattee" ulcer. Some horses are very +troublesome to do this with, and it may be necessary to put on a twitch +("kinch mhal"); but this should always be done in the owner's presence. + + +Light in Stables. + +With a new-comer, "syces" usually ask for oil to burn in a native +earthenware lamp (charragh) at night, but it is a thing I never allow. In +the first place, even if the lamp was kept burning, it is not required; +horses rest better in the dark. In the second, it is dangerous with so +much inflammable material about. In the third, the lamp will not be used +in the stable, but the "syce's" own house. If a light is ever required, +which is only on rare occasions, it is better to bring a lantern out of +the house; and in India there is always a hurricane-lantern to be found in +every house. + + +Fires in Verandahs. + +"Syces" are very fond of lighting fires and making cooking places in the +verandah of the stable, but this I never allow, as it litters the place up +with cooking pots, and makes a great mess; also, it is dangerous. I always +make them carry on their cooking operations in the verandahs of their own +houses. + + + + +SADDLERY, HARNESS, CARRIAGES, AND SERVANTS. + + +Saddles (_zin_) and Harness (_saz_). + +Saddles, harness, and all leatherwork requires a good deal more care and +attention in India than in England, especially during the hot season, when +the fierce dry heat will dry up and perish all sorts of leather; and in +the rains, especially in Southern India, where the atmosphere is so loaded +with moisture that leather, put on one side and neglected for a very few +days, soon becomes covered with mildew. There are no saddle rooms in +Indian stables, and it is usual to keep them in a corner of a room in the +house on a wooden saddle-stand, called by natives a "ghorra" horse. In the +rains, a pan or brazier of burning charcoal should be kept in the room for +a few hours daily, if there is not a fire-place. Saddles are cleaned in +the same way as in England, and excellent saddle soap and dubbing is made +by the North-west Province Soap Works at Meerut, and can be obtained +almost anywhere. If this is not used, the "syces" can always make up +dubbing of their own, called "momrogan." Some people give their head +"syce" a monthly allowance to provide dubbing, soap, bathbrick, oil, etc.; +but as they frequently put lime and bleaching materials with it, I prefer +to buy it myself, and let them get the other articles. They require a +chamoise leather and a burnisher for steel-work, but one of each will do +for a stable of half a dozen horses, and very good country-made leathers +(sabur) can be got for from one to one and a half rupees. The soap is put +on to and rubbed into leather-work with the hands; but the great fault +they have is that they will put on too much, and won't work it in enough, +and one's breeches and hands will get into a great mess. + + +Saddle Covers (_buk bund_). + +A sheet, made out of a description of coarse country cloth (karwah), is +necessary for each saddle or set of harness, to wrap it up in, and keep +the dust and dirt off. It should be sufficiently large to wrap the saddle +up in completely, and in the summer the "syce" can bring it with him to +act as a horse-cloth to throw over the quarters when standing about. +These saddle-sheets can be made by any tailor in a few hours. + + +Bridles. + +Bridles, double (dahna), snaffle (kazai), can be hung up on the walls, but +a piece of cloth or a few sheets of paper should be fastened up behind +them; and they should be frequently taken down if not in daily use, as the +white ants are most destructive. It is best to have one or two extra +saddle-stands made with pegs on them, and to hang the bridles on them in +the middle of the room, away from the walls. This may be a little more +expensive, but a saddle-stand can be brought for Rs. 5 that will hold a +couple of dozen bridles, worth Rs. 20 apiece. At one time plated bits were +used in India, but I think steel ones are the best. "Syces" never can tell +the difference, and I have more than once found a plated bit being +industriously scrubbed and polished with sand. + + +Harness. + +Unless particularly desired, brown harness with brass mounts is the +best--for India, at all events--for pony-harness, and it is this class of +animal that is generally used in an up-country station. Not one "syce" in +a hundred knows how to clean black harness properly, and if this is not +done nothing looks worse, whereas almost any native can clean brown +leather after a fashion, and even if it does not stand close inspection, +it will pass muster at a little distance. Fairly good brown harness is +made out of country leather, and it does well enough for rough work, but +it never has the finish of English. Country leather reins and country bits +should never be used; they are not reliable, and are most dangerous; these +should always be English. + + +Carriages. + +The ordinary two-wheeled pony-trap or dogcart, used in an up-country +Indian station, is best varnished, not painted. The hot weather ruins +paint, and, unless in some of the very large towns, it is nearly +impossible to get them properly repainted again. Any native workman can, +however, varnish a trap with white or copal varnish. Before allowing new +varnish to be put on, the trap should be produced for inspection with the +old scraped off, as it is a favourite trick to daub new varnish over the +old, when it cannot properly set, and the first hot sun cracks and +blisters it. In the hot weather a large earthen basin, called a "naund," +should be kept full of water under the carriage in the coach-house; the +evaporation of the water will keep the woodwork moist, and prevent its +cracking with the heat. A matting made of the fibres of the "khus khus," +or lemon grass, should also be put round the nave of the wheel, and kept +wet, for the same purpose, as it is exceedingly likely to crack with the +heat. The shafts of the trap should not be left resting on the ground, as +they will warp and bend; they should be supported either by a wooden +trestle, or else by a couple of ropes from the beams of the roof. The +whip, when not in use, should be hung by a string at the upper part to a +nail in the wall, and a weight, such as a brick, tied to the butt end to +keep it straight; otherwise, in a very short time, it will get crooked. + + +Servants. + +Indian "syces" are different to English grooms, as the new arrival will +soon find. They have peculiar customs of their own, which, like all +Orientals, they cling to tenaciously, and will not give up. If they are +understood they are easily managed, and work well; but if not, the +horse-owner's life is a burden to him, for no European can overcome the +passive resistance of the Oriental. In the first place, I never let any +of the house servants interfere with the stable. Many persons, +particularly those new to the country, do everything through their head +servant, or "bearer"; but I make him stick to his own work, which is the +control of the house and the house servants. I pick out one of the best +and sharpest of the "syces," changing him till I get a good man, making +him the head or "jemedar syce," and paying him a rupee a month more wages +than the rest; and he is responsible for everything connected with the +horses, and any small bills I pay to him, and him alone. The wages I pay +myself to each man regularly on the seventh of the month, for the month +previously. I never lift my hand to a servant, or fine him under any +pretext, as the fine will only be made up out of the horse's grain, but, +if fault has to be found, I do so in the presence of the head man; on the +second occasion a warning is given, and on the third the offender is +dismissed on the spot. I always keep a "syce" and a "grass-cutter" for +each horse. It is possible to get a "syce" and two "grass-cutters" to look +after two horses, by paying the "syce" a rupee a month more; but the +arrangement is not satisfactory, although many do it. If the "syce" gets +ill, which they often do, there is no one to do his work, whereas, if +there is a man to each horse, they will arrange the extra work among +themselves. In Northern India "syces" and "grass-cutters" should be +provided with warm woollen clothes in the winter. An excellent cloth for +the purpose is made by the various woollen mills, and at most of them +servant's clothes can be bought ready made up; but it is best to give the +men the materials and let them get them made up themselves, otherwise +there is certain to be something wrong with them. A "syce's" coat costs +about Rs. 4, and a "grass-cutter's," which is made out of a coarse +blanketing, Rs. 3; and these coats should last for two winters' wear. In +addition, I used to give each man a "coolie" blanket that cost Rs. 3, and +which would last three winters; and, if they had to go out much into camp, +such as taking horses out to meet me on shooting or pig-sticking +expeditions, a pair of woollen leg-bandages, or "putties." It is a mistake +not to give servants warm clothes, and a false economy, as, if they are +not properly protected against the cold, which is very severe in Northern +India, they are everlastingly getting fever; and I know no greater +nuisance than having your head man laid up for two or three days at a +stretch. In the second place, if they have not warm clothes themselves, +you can never tell if in the night they will not take the clothing off the +horses to wrap themselves up in. A constant source of squabbling amongst +Indian servants is the allotment of their huts or houses. In the older +Indian bungalows there is usually enough of both these and stabling, but +in the newer ones there is not. It is best, however, not to listen to any +such complaints, and somehow the disputants settle the knotty point +themselves. Every now and again it is advisable to see who is living in +your compound, as a most enormous number of relations will turn up, who +are known as brothers (bhai); and if you don't look out, you will find you +are giving shelter on your premises to several hundred individuals. Indian +servants are always asking leave to attend weddings, funerals, and +religious ceremonies; and I always allow them to go, provided some +arrangement is made to carry on their work. They are clannish in the +extreme, and a substitute was always forthcoming. In the hills +"grass-cutters" are not required, as grass can be bought in the bazaars. +The country people look on the sale of this as a vested right, and +naturally resent any outsider cutting it or interfering with them; and, if +they do, there is pretty certain to be a disturbance and unpleasantness. +If "grass-cutters" are preferred to purchasing the daily supply, local +hillmen should be employed, who will arrange the matter with their +neighbours, and not men brought up from the plains of India. In most hill +stations passes or licences have to be obtained to cut grass. In every +Indian station there is an official price-list of country produce +published, and should any dispute arise as to the rates charged, it is as +well to obtain it from the native magistrate (tehsildar), whose decision +in such matters is usually accepted as final, and which generally saves an +immense amount of trouble. + + + + +SHOEING. + + +Shoeing (_nal bundie_). + +Shoeing is a subject on which a volume might be written of itself, far +beyond the scope of this little work, and for further information on the +art I would refer the reader to the treatises by Dr. Flemming and W. +Hunting, Esq.; but as both these deal with European practice, I will only +mention a few differences in the art as performed by the native smith, or +"nal bund." In most large military stations where there are European +troops, permission can generally be obtained to have horses shod at the +regimental forge, but in out-of-the-way places the native artist has to be +employed. All horses require shoeing at least once a month, and some +oftener, as with some the horn grows quicker than others, and the hoof +requires to be shortened oftener. In these cases, if the shoe is not worn +out at the toe, it can be replaced after the foot is shortened; this is +what the English smith calls "a remove," the native "khol bundi." It is +advisable after work to lift up the foot and look if the shoes (nal) +have shifted or not, also to examine the clench or point of the nail +(preg) where it has been turned over, as it sometimes gets turned up and +sticks out. If this happens on the inside of the hoof it is likely to cut +the opposite fetlock (mawah lagna), and make a bad wound that may leave a +permanent scar or blemish. Some horses, from bad formation, move their +limbs so closely together that they always rub the fetlock joints when +they move. This sometimes can be corrected by what is known as a brushing +shoe; but some badly-shaped animals will always do it, no matter what sort +of shoe is put on. Various forms of pads or brushing boots are sold to +prevent this and protect the part; but, in my opinion, what is known as +the Irish boot is the best. It consists of a thick piece of blanket, or +"mundah," about six inches wide and the length of the circumference of the +leg. This is fastened round the fetlock with a tape or string so that the +ends are in the middle line of the leg behind, the upper half being +doubled over the string so that there are two thicknesses to protect the +fetlock joint. I have found this far better than the more elaborate +contrivances sold; it is cheap--any one can make one in a few minutes--it +does not collect mud and dirt like the others do, and it does not become +hard like those boots made out of leather, which, unless carefully looked +to and kept soft with soap (sabon) or dubbing (momrogan), are liable to +cut horses badly. The only care required in putting on the Irish boot is +not to tie it too tight, or the tapes may cut the skin. Some pieces of +horn hanging loose, that are being cast off from the sole and frog in the +natural process of growth, are often seen. These are very likely to +collect dirt and moisture, and if they do they should be removed, but +otherwise be left alone. They can generally be pulled off with the +fingers, a piece of stick, or the hoof-picker. As a rule, in the plains of +India the majority of horses do not require shoes on their hind feet, +unless the roads are mended with stone, or the climate is very damp and +the horn gets soft. In the rainy season, if much work is being done, they +perhaps then require shoeing behind, but in the dry season the majority go +just as well without. In the hills, where the paths are rocky and stony, +horses, of course, require shoeing behind. Unlike the European, the native +smith shoes what is called "cold," that is, he has a number of shoes in +sizes from which he selects one as near a fit as possible, which he +hammers into shape on a small anvil without heating it. Native shoes are +generally perfectly plain, _i.e._ flat on both sides, and, unless +specially made, are never "seated," _i.e._ sloped on the foot surface, or +"bevelled," _i.e._ sloped on the ground surface. As a rule, the nail-holes +are what the smith calls too fine, _i.e._ they are too near the outer rim +of the iron, and to get a hold the shoe has to be brought back so that the +horn projects over the iron. To obviate this the smith removes the toe +with the rasp, thus weakening the horn at the very place where it is +required to be strong. The shoes are generally somewhat too small also, +and to get the nail to take hold they have to be set back in the same way +as when the nail-holes are too fine. A native smith, unless he has been +shown how, never knows how to turn down the point of the nail after it has +been driven through the hoof to form the clench; he never cuts off the +superfluous part, but turns it round in a curl with the pincers, and, +needless to say, this is exceedingly likely to cause brushing. Another +great fault is his fondness of pairing and slicing away the frog and sole, +which he will have to be stopped in doing. I have seldom seen a horse +pricked in shoeing by a native, but if left to themselves they never get +the bearing true, and as a result corns are of common occurrence. Of +course, such light shoes as those of native manufacture have not a great +lot of wear in them, and in heavy, holding ground would pull off, but on +the hard level plains of India they last well enough, and the native +smith, if his faults are known and corrected, is not a bad workman after +his own lights. + + + + +GLOSSARY OF HINDUSTANI WORDS. + + +ADARWAH, _parched barley_. + +AGHARI, _a head rope_. + +AKH-TA, _a gelding_. + + +BAD HAZMIE, _indigestion_, _dyspepsia_. + +BAGH, _rein_. + +BAGH DORIE, _leading-rope_. + +BAJARA, _millet seed_. + +BALTI, _bucket_. + +BANIAH, _corn-dealer_. + +BANS, _bamboo_. + +BHAI, _brother, relative_. + +BHERIE, _iron shackles for horse's legs_. + +BHESTIE, _water carrier_. + +BICHALIE, _bedding straw_. + +BUK BUND, _saddle sheet_. + +BURRADAH, _sawdust_. + + +CHARPOY, _native bedstead_. + +CHARRAGH, _native oil lamp_. + +CHATTIE, _earthen pot_. + +CHAURIE, _fly-whisk_. + +CHEIL, _to dig up grass_. + +CHICK, _split bamboo window blind_. + +CHICK-NA, _muzzle_. + +CHOKER, _bran_. + +CHUCKIE, _hand-mill_. + +CHUNNA, _gram_. + +CHURRIE, _dried shorgum stalk used for cattle fodder_. + +COMPOUND, _enclosure round an Indian house_. + +CULTEE, _the black gram used as horse food in Madras_. + + +DAH, _a bill-hook_. + +DAH-NA, _a double bridle_. + +DAST, _diarrhoea_. + +DASTOUR, _custom, percentage, perquisites_. + +DHAN, _unhusked rice_. + +DHA NAH, _grain_. + +DHOOB, _an Indian grass on which horses are fed_. + +DHOOL, _a small leather bucket used for drawing water_. + +DURZIE, _a tailor_. + + +FARAKIE, _body-roller_. + + +GAJAR, _carrots_. + +GEHUN, _wheat_. + +GHORRA, _horse_. + +GHORRIE, _mare_. + +GUDDA, _donkey_. + +GUMALO, _earthen vessel shaped like a milk pan, holding about a gallon_. + +GUNNA, _sugar-cane_. + +GURDAINE, _horse-rug_. + + +HAWAH, _air_. + +HOOKHA, _a pipe_. + +HURRIALIE, _a species of grass_. + + +JAI, _oats_. + +JAMP, _a straw screen_. + +JARU, _a broom_. + +JHARAN, _duster_. + +JHOOL, _country horse clothing made out of felt_. + +JONK, _leech_. + +JOW, _barley_. + + +KALI NIMUK, _black salt_. + +KAR WAH, _a sort of cotton cloth_. + +KAZAI, _watering or snaffle bridle_. + +KHAL, _linseed cake_. + +KHANSILLA, _hood_. + +KHASIL, _green food_. + +KHAWID, _green food_. + +KHOALIE, _charcoal_. + +KHOL BUNDIE, _a remove in horse shoeing_. + +KHUA, _a well_. + +KHUS KHUS, _lemon grass_. + +KICHER KE MUTTEE, _clay_. + +KINCH MHAL, _twitch_. + +KIRIM, _worm, weevil_. + +KUMBAL, _blanket_. + +KURLIE, _manger_. + +KURPA, _a short iron hoe, used to dig grass with_. + +KUTCHER, _mule_. + + +MALISH, _grooming_. + +MAKE, _a wooden tent-peg_. + +MAKIE-ARA, _eye-fringe to keep off flies_. + +MAUND, _80 lbs. weight_. + +MAWAH LAGNA, _brushing of the fetlocks_. + +MISSA BHOOSA, _grain stalks crushed in thrashing_. + +MOAT, _pulse grain_. + +MOMROGAN, _dubbing_. + +MOTE, _pulse grain_. + +MUNG, _pulse grain_. + +MUSSUK, _leather water-bag_. + +MUTTIE, _earth_. + +MUZZUMA, _leather heel-strap_. + + +NAL, _a horseshoe_. + +NAL BUND, _a shoeing-smith_. + +NAUND, _a large wide-mouthed earthen vessel holding several gallons_. + +NEWAR, _cotton webbing_. + +NIMMUK, _salt_. + +NIRRICK, _the official price list_. + +NUKTA, _head stall_. + +NUMDAH, _felt pad for putting under a saddle_. + + +PAITE, _body-roller_. + +PANI, _water_. + +PECHARIE, _heel ropes_. + +PREG, _nail_. + +PUTTER KE NIMMUK, _rock salt_. + +PUTTIE, _a roller bandage_. + + +RET, _sand_. + +REITA, _soap nuts_. + +RHAL, _linseed cake_. + +ROLL KERNA, _to exercise_. + + +SABON, _soap_. + +SABUR, _chamois leather_. + +SAN, _a stallion_. + +SAZ, _harness_. + +SEER, _a two-pound weight_. + +SHALGHAM, _turnip_. + +SUFFAID BHOOSA, _wheat straw that has been crushed and broken in +thrashing_. + +SUM KHODNA, _hoof-picker_. + +SUN, _tow or hemp_. + +SYCE, _a groom_. + + +TOBRA, _a nose-bag_. + +TOKAR, _to trip or stumble_. + +TOKRIE, _a basket_. + +TULWAR, _a curved native sword_. + + +ULSIE, _linseed_. + + +ZIN, _a saddle_. + + + +LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, + +STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS. + + + + + No. 78. + + Telegrams: "MOFUSSIL, LONDON." + + Established 1819. + + + A SELECTION FROM THE PUBLICATIONS OF + + W. THACKER & CO., + 2, CREED LANE, LONDON, E.C. + + AND + + THACKER, SPINK & CO., + CALCUTTA. + + 1897. + + +SHAW, VERO. + +How to Choose a Dog, and How to Select a Puppy. With Notes on the +Peculiarities and Characteristics of each Breed. By VERO SHAW, Author of +"The Illustrated Book of the Dog," late Kennel Editor of the "Field." +Crown 8vo., sewed, 1_s._ 6_d._ + +_The Stock Keeper._--"The price is within everybody's means, and needless +to say the work is not of a pretentious nature. On the other hand, the +text keeps the promise of the title, and the advice that is given is good. +Each breed of dog has a chapter to itself, which opens with a few +introductory remarks of a general nature: then follow the points briefly +and plainly; next come average of the pup from six weeks old until he +attains maturity. A couple of pages at the end of the work are devoted to +the relation, and a few useful hints on buying, feeding, and breeding. +Needless to add that like all Mr. Vero Shaw's writings on canine subjects +the information is founded on practical experience and imparted in easy +excellent English." + + +NUNN, VETY. CAPT. J. A. + +Notes on Stable Management in India and the Colonies. Second Edition, +revised and enlarged, with a Glossary. Crown 8vo., cloth, 3_s._ 6_d._ + +CONTENTS.--Food, Water, Air, and Ventilation. Grooming, Gear, etc. + + +THOMAS, HENRY SULLIVAN, F.L.S. + +The Rod in India: being Hints how to obtain Sport, with remarks on the +Natural History of Fish and their Culture. By HENRY SULLIVAN THOMAS, +F.L.S. (Madras Civil Service, retired), Author of "Tank Angling in India." +Third Edition. Demy 8vo., cloth. [_In the Press._ + + +_Land and Water._--"A book to read for pleasure at home, as well as to use +as a handbook of exceeding value to the angler who may be already there, +or intending to visit India." + + + + +Capt. M. H. HAYES' BOOKS ON HORSES. + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Veterinary Notes for Horse-Owners. An Illustrated Manual of Horse Medicine +and Surgery, written in simple language. Fifth Edition. This Edition is +revised throughout, considerably enlarged, and incorporates the substance +of the Author's "Soundness and Age of Horses." Thick crown 8vo., buckram, +15_s._ + +_Saturday Review._--"Captain Hayes' work is a valuable addition to our +stable literature; and the illustrations, tolerably numerous, are +excellent beyond the reach of criticism." + +_Times._--"A necessary guide for horse-owners, especially those who are +far removed from immediate professional assistance." + +_Field._--"Of the many popular veterinary books which have come under our +notice, this is certainly one of the most scientific and reliable. If some +painstaking student would give us works of equal merit to this on the +diseases of the other domestic animals, we should possess a very complete +veterinary library in a very small compass." + +_Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News._--"Simplicity is one of the most +commendable features in the book. What Captain Hayes has to say he says in +plain terms, and the book is a very useful one for everybody who is +concerned with horses." + +_Lancet._--"The usefulness of the manual is testified to by its +popularity, and each edition has given evidence of increasing care on the +part of the author to render it more complete and trustworthy as a book of +reference for amateurs." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Indian Racing Reminiscences. Profusely Illustrated. Impl. 16mo., 3_s._ +6_d._ + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Points of the Horse. A familiar Treatise on Equine Conformation. Second +Edition. Revised and enlarged. This edition has been thoroughly revised +and contains numerous additions, including specially written Chapters on +the Breeds of English and Foreign Horses. Illustrated by 200 reproductions +of Photographs of Typical "Points" and Horses, and 205 Drawings by J. H. +OSWALD BROWN. Super-royal 8vo., cloth, gilt top, 34_s._ + +Also a _LARGE PAPER EDITION_, strictly limited to One Hundred and Fifty +Copies for England and the Colonies, numbered and signed by the Author. +Demy 4to., art cloth, top edges gilt, uncut, 63s. net. [_Nearly all sold._ + + +Press Opinions on the Second Edition. + +_Times, Feb., 1897._--"The intrinsic value of the book, and high +professional reputation of its author, should ensure this new edition a +cordial welcome from Sportsmen and all lovers of the horse." + +_Field._--"A year or two ago we had to speak in terms of praise of the +first edition of this book, and we welcome the second and more complete +issue. The first edition was out of print in six months, but, instead of +reprinting it, Capt. Hayes thought it better to wait until he had enough +material in hand to enable him to make to the second edition those +additions and improvements he had proposed to himself to add. The result +is in every way satisfactory, and in this handsome book the searcher after +sound information on the make and shape of the horse will find what will +be of the utmost use to him. Those who have been, or who contemplate being +at no distant date, in the position of judges at horse shows, will derive +great benefit from a careful perusal of Capt. Hayes's pages." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Illustrated Horsebreaking. Second Edition. This Edition has been entirely +re-written; the amount of the letterpress more than doubled, and 75 +reproductions of Photographs have been added. Impl. 16mo., buckram, 21_s._ + +_Field._--"It is a characteristic of all Captain Hayes' books on horses +that they are eminently practical, and the present one is no exception to +the rule. A work which is entitled to high praise as being far and away +the best reasoned-out one on breaking under a new system we have seen." + +_Veterinary Journal._--"The work is eminently practical and readable." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Riding: on the Flat and Across Country. A Guide to Practical Horsemanship. +Impl. 16mo., cloth gilt., 10_s._ 6_d._ + +_Times._--"Captain Hayes' hints and instructions are useful aids, even to +experienced riders, while for those less accustomed to the saddle, his +instructions are simply invaluable." + +_Standard._--"Captain Hayes is not only a master of his subject, but he +knows how to aid others in gaming such a mastery as may be obtained by the +study of a book." + +_Field._--"We are not in the least surprised that a third edition of this +useful and eminently practical book should be called for. On former +occasions we were able to speak of it in terms of commendation, and this +edition is worthy of equal praise." + +_Baily's Magazine._--"An eminently practical teacher, whose theories are +the outcome of experience, learned not in the study, but on the road, in +the hunting field, and on the racecourse." + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Training and Horse Management in India. Fifth Edition. Crown 8vo., cloth, +7_s._ 6_d._ + +_Saturday Review._--"A useful guide in regard to horses anywhere. Concise, +practical, and portable." + +_Veterinary Journal._--"We entertain a very high opinion of Captain Hayes' +book on 'Horse Training and Management in India,' and are of opinion that +no better guide could be placed in the hands of either amateur horseman or +veterinary surgeon newly arrived in that important division of our +empire." + +_Field._--"We have always been able to commend Captain Hayes' books as +being essentially practical and written in understandable language. As +trainer, owner, and rider of horses on the flat and over country, the +author has had a wide experience, and when to this is added competent +veterinary knowledge, it is clear that Captain Hayes is entitled to +attention when he speaks." + + +HAYES, Mrs. Edited by CAPT. M. H. HAYES. + +The Horsewoman. A Practical Guide to Side-Saddle Riding. With 4 Collotypes +from Instantaneous Photographs, and 48 Drawings after Photographs, by J. +H. OSWALD BROWN. Square 8vo., cloth gilt, 10_s._ 6_d._ + +_Times._--"A large amount of sound, practical instruction, very +judiciously and pleasantly imparted." + +_Field._--"This is the first occasion on which a practical horseman and a +practical horsewoman have collaborated in bringing out a book on riding +for ladies. The result is in every way satisfactory, and, no matter how +well a lady may ride, she will gain much valuable information from a +perusal of 'The Horsewoman.' The book is happily free from self-laudatory +passages." + +_The Queen._--"A most useful and practical book on side-saddle riding, +which may be read with real interest by all lady riders." + + +MILLER, E. D. Edited by CAPT. M. H. HAYES. + +Modern Polo. A Practical Guide to the Science of the Game, Training of +Ponies, Rules, etc. By Mr. E. D. MILLER, late 17th Lancers. Edited by M. +H. HAYES, F.R.C.V.S. With Sixty-four Illustrations from Photographs. Impl. +16mo., cloth extra, 12_s._ 6_d._ + +A practical and exhaustive description of the Science of the game, duties +of players, selection, breaking, training, and management of ponies, +various breeds of ponies in all parts of the world. Polo in India; +Hurlingham, Indian, and American Rules, etc. Beautifully illustrated with +sixty-four reproductions of Photographs showing the various "points" of +the game, famous ponies, players, etc. + +CONTENTS.--Chapter I. First Steps at Polo.--Chapter II. Theory and +Practice of Polo.--Chapter III. Polo Appliances.--Chapter IV. Choosing a +Polo Pony.--Chapter V. Training the Polo Pony.--Chapter VI. Polo Pony +Gear.--Chapter VII. Polo Pony Management.--Chapter VIII. Various Breeds of +Polo Ponies.--Chapter IX. Polo in India.--Chapter X. Polo Pony +Breeding.--Chapter XI. Veterinary Advice to Polo Players.--Appendix. +Tournaments, Laws and Bye-Laws, etc. + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. HORACE, F.R.C.V.S. + +Friedberger and Froehner's Veterinary Pathology. Translated from the +original German of the recently published Fourth Edition, and Annotated. +[_In the press._ + + + + +FORTHCOMING WORKS. + +Dairy Cows. A Practical Guide in the Choice and Management of Dairy +Cattle, etc. By HAROLD LEENEY, M.R.C.V.S. + +The Best Breeds of British Stock. Edited by JOHN WATSON, F.L.S. + +Thacker's Veterinary Year Book. + +CONTENTS.--Events of the Year--List of Officers--President and +Council--New Members Qualified during the Year--Privileges of +Members--Students who have passed A and B Classes--The Number of +Rejections in England and Scotland--A Review of all the Veterinary Medical +Societies--Digest of Papers Read, with Names of Speakers and +Extracts--Horse Fairs and Markets--Auction Sales and Laws--New +Instruments--New Drugs--New Shoes--Posological Tables--Original Articles +by well-known Authors, etc. + +It has long been felt that a Veterinary Year Book was needed for use by +the large and increasing profession of Veterinary Surgeons, and it is +hoped that this work will meet the necessary requirements. + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. H. + +Friedberger and Froehner's Veterinary Pathology. Translated from the +original German of the recently published Fourth Edition, and Annotated by +Capt. M. H. HAYES, F.R.C.V.S., Author of "Points of the Horse," etc. Royal +8vo., cloth. + + +HAYES, CAPT. M. H. + +Stable Management in England. + + +PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON and BECCLES. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Notes on Stable Management in India +and the Colonies, by Joshua A. 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