Tips how to ride Polo Ponies ?

[kerrie454]

Help ! My friend & I are going on a Polo taster course this weekend and need to some tips how to ride the ponies.

Another friend did the same last year and said they had troubles figuring out how to get them going forward. I know we'll be riding with one hand and neck reining, but does anyone have any other tips for us to get the most out of our day ?

 

[beetlejuice]

the person who runs it will tell you exactly how to ride them but its so easy and fun. your reins are basically a joy stick. you want to go forward put your hand forward. you just lean forward with your body and move your legs back to get them to go. then lean back softly to slow down.

So jealous youll have a great time.

 

[kerrie454]

thanks Beetlejuice - its a birthday present and we're soooo looking forward to it

 

[Winklepoker]

Never take a contact unless absolutely necessary. slightly longer stirrups, helps with balance to begin with. Umm... taking your hand forward and body weight with a small amount of leg should do the trick on moving off but if your friend had any sort of contact with the ponies mouth, it may be the reason for not going forward. Hitting the ball... always always picture a spot on the back of it about an inch off the floor, I find doing that prevents me from jarring my wrist when the head of my stick hits the floor instead of the ball!!!

 

[kerrie454]

excellent thanks Indiapony!

 

[Brandy]

Sounds li.ek great fun. I have an ex polo pony, and have NO problems getting himt o go forward. Stopping, maybe, but forwards, no!

The neck reining is easy, as someone else said bit like a joy stick. The only trouble I had, is that I had never played polo before, and then all of a sudden had a high goal polo pony to ride. I nearly fell off as he turned so quick and was veeerrryy keen towards the ball.

 

[kerrie454]

Well it will be a long way from my lad a 17hh 17yo warmblood lol - we only hack a couple of times a week
Sometimes he can muster up a nice gallop, but as for turning on a sixpence - no way ha ha

 

[MrsMozart]

You'll find you probably just have to think about turning and you'll be going the other way . I used to exercise polo ponies many years ago. Was a lot of fun

Hope you have a lovely time. Looking forward to lot of pictures!

 

[kerrie454]

my chap's bringing the camera so will be plenty of piccies - thanks
(if i can figure out how to upload them - i've uploaded a profile pic but it doesn;t seem to be displaying ??)

they've advised us to bring a picnic and stay to watch the tournament in the afternoon too - so we think its going to be a fab day !

 

[Unpaid Groom]

Ooh you'll love it

Lean forward to go, sit back to stop, reins against the neck and look where you want to go left or right - Polo ponies are highly trained to anticipate every move, they are FAB!

 

[BarmyC]

I done some stick and balling yesterday on the ponies that we have at our yard yesterday for the first time.

I cant really comment on how to ride the ponies as i ride them everyday any2way so just do it without realising.

One tip i learnt yesterday was to make sure you dont look up too early as you top the ball and it doesnt go anywhere!! I did lots of this.

I did manage to hit a few balls from a canter though which i was proud of!

 

[keanmu]

Have you ever ridden wester? It's quite similar to that. Longer reins, neck reining, longer stirrups, alot leaning to get your horse to go where you want.

Fantastic fun, have a great day.

 

[kerrie454]

Never officially ridden western but I usually ending looking like I am when I'm hacking lol

 

[rosie fronfelen]

Kerrie,polo ponies are great to ride- i worked with them in Ciren' and a season in Windsor,they are brilliant at cantering and neckreining, trotting not so good- but thats how they are trained as you know. good luck with your venture!

 

[kerrie454]

so if no contact is recommended - how do you stop them then ?

 

[Unpaid Groom]

so if no contact is recommended - how do you stop them then ?

Just sit back

They're sooo easy x

 

[MrsMozart]

And when they stop, even when at full pelt, they'll keep their heads up - so no ungainly forward dismounts (saved me a couple of times lol)

 

[Katikins]

Oooh, exciting. And the same thing as I got for my birthday this year (I go on 18th for my course). I've ridden a polo pony once and the one thing that stuck with me was how fast they turn, they don't bend like 'normal' ridden horses just suddenly shoot off in the other direction. The first turn we did I nearly fell off!!! I'm too hugely excited about going, we can compare pictures as I have half my team coming along to watch (it was a present from them) and take many piccies.

 

[kerrie454]

we can't wait i'll definite look into how to post the piccies !