114 TRAINING THE POLO PONY. [Chap. V. 



and loudly, and followed by a feeling on both reins, 

 which should not be done before the word is finished, 

 so as to give the pony a chance of stopping of his own 

 accord, a thing that he will as a rule very quickly learn 

 to do. 



The word "back" is used only for reining back, and 

 should be pronounced slowly in a drawling tone of 

 voice, while at the same time the pony's mouth should 

 be felt with both reins. 



"Hup! "should be used in a loud cheery tone, in 

 order to make a pony start into a gallop from the 

 rein back, halt, walk, or trot. At the same time, the 

 rider should use the pressure of both legs. 



These three are the most important words of 

 command, although others may be employed with 

 advantage. The same tone of voice should be used 

 for each respective word. 



We need only see old troop horses at work in a 

 riding school, to recognise the fact that they know 

 several words of command. 



After a month or so of the practice I have described, 

 we may take for granted that the pony is quiet to ride, 

 and that his polo education may commence. 



The pony may now be worked daily for about an 

 hour and a half, and should not be given more than 

 about 5 lbs. or 6 lbs. of corn, but he may have as 

 much hay as he likes to eat. Although under- 

 feeding does not pay, it is not advisable to 

 give ponies in training much corn. The pony's 

 education will be greatly simplified by having a 

 riding school, which, however, is not essential, 

 because all the exercises I shall describe can be done 

 in the open, or between unjumpable fences in a field. 



