Mounting

Before You Mount

Before you mount a polo pony it's important to check the girth and the bridle.

Your groom will hold the pony steady as you mount by standing on the opposite side holding the stirrup leather and reins.

It's important to be able to mount and dismount from either side, however, usually you mount from the left side of the horse. Back in the day when the military wore a sword on their left hip, this prevented the sword from hitting a horse's back.

Mounting Blocks

When you mount your weight pulls the saddle sideways which exerts a force on the pony's back. A mounting block will place you about 18 inches off the ground and helps reduce this strain.

Mounting

Place your left hand on the reins and turn the stirrup iron clockwise to bring its far side towards you.

Place your left foot in the stirrup while your left hand has control of the reins, squarely facing the side of the horse.

Grasp the saddle near the pommel (front) with your right hand and use your left leg to rise up.

As you rise, swing your right leg up and over the saddle.

Lower yourself gently into the saddle, place your right foot in the stirrup, sit upright, and breathe deep.

Gather up your reins by taking up any slack so that you have control of the pony.

Adjust

Move forward a few steps and then recheck the girth. It may need tightening since you have now added your weight to the pony's back.

Take both reins into one hand and move your leg forward, while keeping your foot in the stirrup. Lift the saddle flap and pull up on the girth straps to adjust them as necessary.

This is a good time to check and adjust your stirrups to a comfortable length.

Sit comfortably balanced in the saddle, keeping the balls of your feet on the stirrup irons, your toes facing out at about a 40 degree angle, and your heels pointing down.

Dismount

Remove both your feet from the stirrups.

Hold the reins in your left hand and grasp the pommel (front) of the saddle with your right hand.

Lean forward and to the right, lift your right leg and swing it over the pony's hindquarters, then slide down off the saddle to the ground.

After you dismount, "run-up" the stirrups to prevent them from banging against the sides of the pony or catching on barn doors.

Lift the saddle flap and loosen the girth.