Learn the equestrian sport of polo

Polo Pony Halters

Description

A halter is used to lead a polo pony to an from its barn stall or paddock. A halter is also used to tie up a polo pony temporarily or to prevent a polo pony from laying down and rolling. A halter has no bit and can be worn all the time by a polo pony if necessary.

Putting a Halter on a Polo Pony

  1. First, make sure the halter is unbuckled and the lead rope is attached.
  2. Slip the front of the halter over the polo pony's nose, flip the head piece strap over the neck, and buckle it.
  3. Stand on the left side of the polo pony and pass the end of the lead rope under his neck with your left hand.
  4. Put your right hand over his neck and take the lead rope from your left hand so that you have the rope around his neck.
  5. Hold both ends of rope together in your right hand so he can't wander off while you put the halter on.
  6. Position the loop so you can pass the halter strap to your right hand in the same way you did with the rope.
  7. At this point you should have both the rope and the halter strap in your left hand, with your arm over the polo pony's neck and the halter buckle in your right hand.
  8. With your hands on either side of the polo pony's head, position the noseband so the polo pony's nose will slide easily into it and raise the halter into position.
  9. Bring the halter strap over the polo pony's head, right behind his ears and buckle it up, still holding the rope in case he tries to walk off.
  10. Remove the loop of rope from around the polo pony's neck.

Make sure your halter fits properly and is neither too loose nor too tight. The noseband should lie two fingers below the cheekbone and you should be able to fit two fingers between your polo pony and the
noseband.

Removing a Halter

To remove the halter unhook the belt buckle and slip the halter forward over the polo pony's nose.

Store the halter by hanging it up where you will need it next. People and polo ponies can trip on a halter and break a leg so be sure it doesn't hang near the floor.

Breakable Halters

When turning out polo ponies into a field or paddock, use halters with breakable straps to prevent injuries. If the halter catches firmly on a tree or fence post, it will snap and fall off safely.