The Attributes of a Good Polo Pony



Speed, intelligence and agility by themselves, do not make a good polo pony. He must be clever. He must be able to dodge and swerve while going full speed, and to wheel and turn on the proverbial dime. Besides this, he must be able to follow the ball, and instinctively put his rider in a good position to hit it. He must be completely steady and unaffected by the waving mallets and yelling crowds. In addition, and no less important, he must have much courage, and not flinch from contact, sometimes violent, with another mount.







Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Snow Balls on Mudslide


Spring must be in the air. On Sunday, Mark started working the horses. He started by ponying Eva while riding Trick. Both horses were very calm. I think it helped that there was still snow on the ground-it took a little more energy to move forward. Eva, especially, was not happy about the situation. She'll be 19 in June, and has been the Queen Bee around the barn for many years. It's as if she is thinking "I'm too old for this nonsense". Around and around the ring they walked, this direction and then the other. A few circles, and figure eights, and I saw the "look" in Mark's eyes. "Mom, maybe I'll hit a few balls". He "stick and balled" off of Trick for a few minutes, and then decided to saddle-up Mudslide and hit a few balls while riding her. I was getting that "longing to ride" feeling, just as Mark suggested I get on Trick. I haven't been on the back of a horse, since my accident in August, and my ankle was hurting, but I just HAD to get on top of a horse. Mounting from the right side, I managed to get into the saddle, and though I couldn't put weight into the left stirrup without pain, I rode a few steps. Wow--did that feel good! Once the horse loving blood gets flowing in your veins, there is no stopping. I had planned on waiting until April to ride, and promised my surgeon I'd see her first--but---can't wait till next weekend!!!

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