A guide to Polo with Horses - By: Tammy Patterson

Polo is a game played with a team of four riders on horseback using a long mallet to hit a small ball into the opposing team's goal. The object of the game being the team to score the highest number of goals. Traditionally polo is played on a large grass field up to 300 yards and 200 or 160 yards wide. After each goal is scored the teams swap goals so as to account for the wind and conditions. In America polo is often played in arenas which are smaller and only have teams of three riders rather than four.

A game of polo is split into periods of play known as chukkas usually around seven minutes long. Between chukkas players often change ponies in higher level competitions often more ponies are used between four and eight ponies per rider.

Although called polo 'ponies' the mounts used are often horses up to 16hh tall. They are selected for their agility, speed and temperament. Temperament is important as the horse should be controllable at all times even when the pace of the game gets exciting.

The four players have numbers from one to four and this defines their role on the field. Number one has a more offensive role whereas number four is the most defensive player. The sport is always played right handed.
Special equipment is needed to play polo; riders usually wear jeans and a polo shirt plus riding boots, knee protectors, gloves and a polo mallet. Polo tack is similar to English riding tack, often a standing martingale is used and double reins. The horses have their legs bandaged with polo wraps which are thick bandages, this is to prevent injury from other horses, the ball or the mallet.

The ponies are turned out with hogged manes and plaited tails so as to avoid getting them caught in the mallet.

In the UK there are various polo clubs across the country that provide tuition and chukkas. To be competitive at polo is expensive due to the upkeep of the horses required and the equipment needed.

About the Author

Tammy is a avid equine rider who loves to promote the best ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in jodhpur boots as well as equestrian waterproof clothing & jack murphy waterproof coats in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of horse riding hats products

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