22 FIRST STEPS AT POLO. [Chap. I. 



shifted to the right makes the pony lean away or 

 shy off to the left. 



The reins should be held rather shorter, and the 

 left hand carried somewhat higher, at polo than on 

 other occasions ; so that we may be able to apply the 

 rein well forward on the neck in turning the pony, and 

 stop him quickly even when we are a bit forward in 

 the saddle. We should bear in mind that the flexi- 

 bility of the neck increases according to its distance 

 from the withers. If the hand is held low, the 

 lateral pressure of the rein can be employed only 

 against that portion of the neck which is immediately 

 in front of the withers. 



A fine polo player should be able, like a capable 

 jockey when finishing a close race, to get the greatest 

 possible speed out of his mount, and like a good 

 school rider, to keep his animal at the same time under 

 absolute control ; so that when going at full speed, 

 he is able to stop or turn and hit the ball where 

 he wishes. 



We require a tight seat in order to b6 able to hustle, 

 to keep firm in the saddle, to get the best pace out 

 of the pony, and to stop him by force, if he won't 

 stop by any other means. The question of hands 

 is too difficult a one for me to discuss here ; 

 although I am aware that there are a few riders, perfect 

 artists at the game, who can hold pullers simply owing 

 to their having perfect hands. Again, many men, 

 otherwise good horsemen, seem to make all their 

 ponies pull, on account of their bad hands. I have 

 no great faith, as a general rule, in the efficacy, at 

 polo, of that magic touch on the mouth which is a gift 

 possessed by many of our best jockeys, riders to 



