THE TRAINING OF PONIES 323 



there to rest, and also before finally leaving the field, and if the 

 place is altered each day he will get confused, and not know 

 what he is going to do. This will make his will subservient to 

 yours, which is one of the primary objects to be attained. After 

 hacking him about a bit, and having got him to carry you 

 quietly and turn to right or left from leg pressure and hand 

 at a walk, begin by cantering him and make him canter in the 

 figure of 8. Let the 8 be large with wide curves to begin 

 with, and gradually lessen the circles, until you can get him 

 to do the smallest 8 at the greatest speed. This course of 

 training may be varied by taking the pony up and down the 

 ' bending ' course, as he may get tired and bored if kept too 

 long at the ' 8's.' The ' bending ' course is a capital institution, 

 of which I believe the Earl of Harrington was the originator 

 about eight years ago. Two lines of sticks should be set 

 up 20 yards apart and parallel to each other. The sticks 

 should be about 7 feet high and 8 yards apart. They should 

 be about an inch square with the edges rounded off, and care 

 should be taken to place them perfectly upright in the ground, 

 and not too deeply, so that they can easily be knocked over. 

 Then begin by cantering your pony up one side and down the 

 other zigzagging between the posts, increasing your pace as 

 your pupil shows aptitude in learning his lesson. One set of 

 posts is sufficient, but two are more advisable, as it will be as 

 well to train two ponies in company. 



I may here remark that this * bending ' competition is the 

 most invaluable practical test of a really good polo pony. In 

 fact, it may be regarded in the same light as a ' trial ' between 

 racehorses, and a pony who can win this in good company- 

 may be looked on favourably as a made polo pony. In 

 proof of my assertion I would only add that Esmeralda, 

 the property of the Messrs. Peat, was never beaten at it ; 

 Jenny, The Girl, and AH Baba (all the property of the Earl of 

 Harrington) have also won this competition at Hurlingham, 

 Elvaston, and elsewhere against all comers ; and in 1889 a 

 three-year-old pony, also belonging to his lordship, named 



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