232 POLO IN INDIA. [Chap. IX. 



stables, put the bedding out again, and give the 

 ponies another real good dressing. 



As soon as the ponies return in the evening, they 

 should be watered, dressed and made comfortable for 

 the night. A big feed of grass may be left with them 

 the last thing. 



THE BITTING OF POLO PONIES. 



I have been surprised, on inspecting the ponies on 

 several polo grounds in India to find that the 

 majority of them were ridden in Hanoverian Pel- 

 hams. I noticed, on one occasion, that out of 

 eight ponies, six were thus bitted. The presump- 

 tion from this is that such ponies are inclined to 

 '' catch hold " a bit, or, at least, that they would do so 

 in lighter bridles. Among the eight ponies just men- 

 tioned, there was only one standing martingale, which 

 was too long, and only one noseband, which was too 

 loose to be of the slightest benefit. I am perfectly 

 aware that a few ponies which would pull in any other 

 bridle, go kindly in a Hanoverian Pelham ; but am 

 convinced that, as a general rule, it is better first of all 

 to try the effect of a lighter bit, with a properly applied 

 standing martingale and noseband, than such a severe 

 bit, without these useful adjuncts. The science of 

 bitting is less studied in India than in England, al- 

 though the need of it is greater in the former than in 

 the latter country ; because, other things being equal, 

 ponies are not under such control in India as at home. 

 One great reason for this is that the ground does not 

 give as good foot-hold for stopping and turning as 

 springy English turf Another is the smaller size of 

 the ponies. It stands to reason that a big, strong 



