It is important to remember that polo is a somewhat dangerous sport, since despite precautions, it is not uncommon to see polo accidents when playing polo.
Any player should consider seriously to have the right equipment for him/her and the horses and respect the rules.
Horse Tack
Fun fact: In polo, we call our horses Polo Ponies, because traditionally, they used to be smaller.
Bridle: Controls, steers, and stops the horse.
Bit: A horses bit can be metal or plastic. It is attached to the bridle and it goes in their mouth. Attached to the bit are the reins. The bit is our way Of communicating with the horse while riding. It is important not to overuse the brakes –you wouldn’t want someone constantly yanking on a piece of metal in your mouth!
Saddle: What you sit in while on top of the horse. You put your feet in the metal pieces on either sidecalled stirrups. Check their length and make sure you feel comfortable.
Saddle pad: Placed between the saddle and the horse, it serves to reduce impact of the rider and the saddle on the horses back.
Bandages: Just like we need protective gear, our horses need just as much protection because without them, we couldn’t play! Bandages are the equivalent of shinguards for horses. They Protect the bones and tendons on the legs.You can also put a hard shell called a tendon boot on over the bandages for more protection. Bandages and tendon boots protect their legs from the ball, they give support, and they also protect from the mallets (yours and other people’s).
Tape: Necessary to braid the tail up and fold it back to get it out of the way –tape keeps it folded up. Braided their tails Keeps it from getting tangled and injuring your wrist.
