Tying Up a Polo Pony

Description

A halter and lead rope can be used to tie up a polo pony temporarily or to prevent a polo pony from laying down and rolling.

Tying Up Using a Lead Rope

Lead ropes are about 5 feet long and 1 inch in diameter with a clip on one end attached to a halter. To tie up a polo pony, attach one end of the lead rope to an object using a quick release knot so that if the polo pony pulls back, or gets caught, the knot can be quickly undone with one hand and prevent injury.

Polo ponies should be tied up at about the level of the polo pony's wither or slightly higher. Tie the polo pony so that he can hold his head normally. If the lead rope is too loose a polo pony might lower his head and get a leg caught up in the rope.

Some polo ponies are very good at untying knots. To make a knot more difficult to loosen, the free end of the rope can be passed through the loop.

How to Tie a Quick Release Knot

1. Take the end of the lead rope and pass it around the object you are tying up to.
2. Hold both sections of the rope in your left hand.
3. Use your right hand to make a fold in the tail end of the rope.
4. Cross the fold (the bight) over the two ropes you are now holding in your left hand.
5. Bring the bight up through the middle of the loop you just formed.
6. Grab the tip of the bight with your right hand and pull the knot tight.

To undo a quick release knot, pull on the loose end.