8 FIRST STEPS AT POLO. [Chap. I. 



the ball, as he would do by himself in a month. 

 Even if he were not put to play No. i, he would 

 become so hurried and would get so bustled, that 

 most likely he would not hit the ball half-a-dozen 

 times in a game. If a beginner cannot get, as 

 would be advisable, a whole winter's practice, he 

 should have at least a month at it by himself before 

 engaging in a regular game. Although a good 

 level field is an advantage to begin on, it is not 

 absolutely necessary ; for any fairly even piece of 

 grass, if large enough, will serve the purpose. 

 Besides, the practice gained by hitting the ball on 

 rough ground will be found invaluable when galloping 

 over a smooth surface in a game. The novice will 

 receive great assistance by getting a capable friend 

 to teach him (as I shall endeavour to do further on) 

 how to hold his stick, and how and where to hit the 

 ball. From the very commencement, he should 

 always try to hit the ball in a certain direction, as 

 for instance at a particular tussock of grass, tree, 

 mark on. the ground, or other suitable object. 

 Also, it is important for him to learn how the 

 wrist should be turned when hitting a back- 

 hander. An experienced friend can help him not 

 only in these points, but can also prevent him 

 from acquiring bad methods of play, which, when 

 once learnt, are very difficult to rectify. 



Practice on a wooden horse. — By far the best 

 method for a novice to learn to hit the ball, even 

 before he ventures to handle a stick on a pony, is 

 for him to practise on a wooden horse (Fig. i), which 

 can be roughly made by any carpenter. No saddle 

 is required, and side bars as foot rests can take the 



