274 POLO 



probable that the Tartars, from whom he believes them to be 

 descended, brought the game with them, for it is distinctly of 

 Tartar origin. 



The ponies used in the country are all home-bred, varying 

 from 10 hands to 13 hands 2 inches in height, and though small 

 are hardy, wiry, and active, with blood-like heads. For polo 

 a pony of from 12 hands 2 inches to 13 hands is considered 

 the best. The Munnipoories ride in a double-ringed snaffle 

 made very thick, like a colt's mouthing bit, the reins being 

 round and heavy. Their saddles, called sabul, are curious 

 structures and enormously heavy, weighing some 30 Ibs., with 

 both pummel and cantle projecting considerably. Attached to 

 each side of this edifice, hanging on the ponies' sides and be- 

 tween them and the riders' legs, which they partly protect from 

 blows, are huge flaps of leather curled round at the ends, called 

 naktung, which, in addition to serving their purpose as safe- 

 guards to the riders' legs, make a tremendous rattling as the 

 ponies gallop. The Munnipoories ride very short and only just 

 insert their toes into the stirrups, which are broad and heavy. 

 An elaborate number of trimmings over the pony's quarters com- 

 pletes the get-up, and these, combined with the great lumbering 

 saddle, almost hide the diminutive ' tattoos ' they bestride from 

 view, little else but head, tail, and legs being visible. The 

 Munnipoories invariably carry a whip made of plaited thongs 

 of raw hide slung on the left wrist, though where they manage 

 to hit their ponies, covered as they are with leather and 

 trappings, is a mystery. 



Their sticks are made of light hard wood, the butt some 

 eleven inches long, with a handle of well-seasoned cane inserted 

 into it. These handles vary from four to five feet in length? 

 according to the fancy of the player, and are considered of 

 some value. Indeed, the Rajah has a special plantation near 

 his capital where they are grown for the purpose. The end of 

 the stick, or kan-jai, is covered with red or blue cloth for 

 about a foot from the upper end, and to be the right length 

 should reach the rider's elbow when the butt is resting on the 



