Ex polo ponies: BITS!

[ellieplatt]

I have a very speedy little happy hacking ex polo pony.
A snaffel is proving not to be strong enough, and he's not responding to SLOW as he should be.
any ideas on bits or anything else?

 

[alfirules]

I have an ex polo pony, but he's a snaffle mouth as not strong at all.

I wouldn't make a drastic change of bit, maybe just try something with a little bit of leverage on the poll, like a hanging cheek snaffle.

Also, if he opens his mouth to evade the bit you could try him with a flash, or if he brings his head up, try a martingale.

Dunno if that's any help?

 

[Cash]

What was he in as a playing pony? Does he put his head up, or put it down and tuck his nose into his chest?
Do you ride english or one handed?
Sorry lots of questions

 

[only_me]

are you riding the polo pony the correct way?

Most polo ponies arent used to being ridden with 2 hands, normally just the one hand.

As for bits, I would probably use a dr.bristol or a pelhm if too strong.

 

[Battyoldbint]

i had to use a kimberwick with my ex polo pony

 

[Cliqmo]

Don't most polo ponies ride in gags with huge rings? Why not try something similar (with double reins if preferred??) as it is something she knows

 

[only_me]

they normally have gags in because they have to be flat when being ridden - and stop quickly, they have to stop on front legs and turn

wheras polocrosse ponys are ridden in snaffles usually because they have to be engaged so they can stop and turn on their hinds

 

[HarkTheHorse]

Double reins is the answer, gives you more control. Most polo ponies are played with them

 

[ellieplatt]

to start with i used to ride him neck reining, (polo style)

but gradually ive got him to respond to normall english, wich is good.
Ive already got a martingale on, and a flash.
And yess he chucks his head up alot!

 

[miss_c]

Mazzie was in a loose ring snaffle and flash when schooling, played in a pelham, and a dutch gag with double reins when hacking on grass.

 

[lannerch]

polo way is lift your left rein hand up (with reins ) to stop.

Polo ponies will usually stop when you do this with no pulling involved.

We used to ride all our polo ponies in snaffles and standing martingales they were played in either pelhams or gags but never ridden in them.

 

[kit279]

Head up = pelham. Head down = cheltenham gag. Most polo ponies I know are pretty light in the mouth but use your weight too, they're often trained to slow when you sit right back.

 

[lannerch]

Sorry forgot that bit ( is many years since I have ridden polo style )

thanks kit279

raise hand with reins without pulling at all and sit back

 

[camilla4]

[ QUOTE ]
Head up = pelham. Head down = cheltenham gag. Most polo ponies I know are pretty light in the mouth but use your weight too, they're often trained to slow when you sit right back.

[/ QUOTE ]


this is absolutely right - they respond very sharply to changes in body position - to slow down, lean back. Be careful though - those brakes can be pretty sharp once you've found them?!