My Little Polo Pony

If you're headed to the horse shows this month, you may want to know what all the equipment is - there's a lot of it.

Let's start with the essentials. Polo players ride "ponies," which are not actually ponies, but thoroughbred horses, and they have gear just for them in this fun and fancy sport.

Polo players use English type saddles. These are leather (like nearly all horse equipment because it is durable and comfortable for both horse and rider) and are sometimes suede. Sometimes a pad will be underneath the saddle to keep the horse extra comfortable. They like wool, which absorbs sweat while keeping them cool enough when it's hot and warm enough when it is chilly. The bridle is a leather material, which harnesses the horse's face.

There is an over-girth as well as the regular girth to keep the saddle from slipping. A girth is a band (usually leather) that functions as a belt around the belly of the horse, ensuring the saddle's stability. It's important that this is secure so the player won't slide around on top of the animal. This could throw off a players' balance, making it unsafe for him/her.

The player has a helmet, long boots and knee guards to protect their legs when they're riding, or if they get hit by the mallet. Sometimes chaps are used to protect the rider's boots from chaffing the pony's sides. These are soft cowhide coverings which velcro around the player's boot. The mallet is made of bamboo and has a wooden head, so protective wear is essential for both rider and pony!

Leg bandages are wrapped around the lower legs of the horse. These come in many colors but will usually match the team's colors. Red and black wraps around the lower leg and shin area of a horse are common. Sometimes they have boots, which are a padded version of the leg wrap. The tail is wrapped to keep it from being tangled up in the mallet when the player goes for a shot. To keep the horse in check, and make it accelerate at a fast pace, a player has a whip. The funny rubber bits in the horse's mouth are bit guards to protect against the sometimes harsh iron mouth bits. In polo, accuracy and speed are crucial so a player's control of his horse is a key element.

Polo players and trail riders alike use stirrups (if they are riding with a saddle). These are iron boot holders, which hang on the sides of the horse. This way a player can stand up and stabilize so he/she can swing the mallet.

On top of all the equipment is the grooming. Polo horses are scrubbed, washed, conditioned and impeccably-styled for showing because the appearance of a horse and player matters nearly as much as the sport itself. A horse will sometimes have its own "stylist," if you can believe it.

When you're at the matches this month, see if you can identify the gear you've learned about - there certainly is a lot of it!

- Lily Betjeman

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