328 POLO 



other side of the question, I would quote the Earl of Airlie, who 

 writes to me : * I consider spurs or whips with most ponies in 

 India to be a necessity, if you are to play properly and get the 

 most out of your pony. Ponies in India are much more 

 sluggish, owing to the climate, and most of them want spurs 

 more, and will stand them more, than English ponies.' This 

 may be the case in India, but the fact that few English players 

 wear spurs, I think, strengthens my argument. 



It is often advisable to ride with a whip when playing in a 

 match ; not necessarily for use, but in order to let your pony 

 know that he must do his utmost and that he is not engaged 

 merely in practice. Of course, however, he should never be 

 punished with it unnecessarily 



Newmarket racing bandages are the best to play in. I refer 

 to those with a loop at one end, through which the other end 

 is passed before the leg is swathed ; this enables the bandage 

 to be pulled tight, and prevents it from slipping and becoming 

 loose. They are much better than leather boots, being more 

 elastic, and so less liable to hamper a pony in turning. Cloth 

 boots with leather buckles are also very good, and are much 

 used. 



As will be seen on reference to the Hurlingham and Indian 

 Rules, the height of ponies is limited to 14 hands in England, 

 and 13 hands 3 inches in India. This subject, viz. the best height 

 for a polo pony, has given rise to much controversy, some main- 

 taining that a small pony is quicker and more active in every 

 way, and that the player being nearer the ground it is easier for 

 him to make certain of hitting the ball. I cannot agree with 

 this theory, and hold that with polo ponies as with racehorses 

 ' a good big 'un is better than a good little 'un.' The extra size 

 and weight of a i4-hand pony give him an enormous advan- 

 tage over one of only 1 3 hands i inch or 1 3 hands 2 inches, and 

 a team of big men on big ponies may safely be backed against 

 a team mounted on smaller ponies, however good the men 

 and animals of the latter may be. A big pony, too, seems to 

 balance your weight better, and do his work with greater ease 



