Being Prepared To Play Polo

By Barry Williamson


Promising horse riders have the choice to take part in many different riding sports and competitions. These range from dressage, which is a very skilful sport, to more daring sports such as show jumping, cross country riding or the increasingly popular team sport, Polo. The game of Polo is played by 2 teams of 4 players, which each player being assigned a different position and role. Each player rides a horse, and uses a mallet in order to attempt to hit a ball into the opposing team's goal.

Inevitably, it is essential that horse riders wear the appropriate safety clothing in order to protect themselves from flying balls, knocks from wooden mallets and of course, the risk of falling off their horse! Wearing a polo helmet is one of the most basic pieces of polo equipment, and usually features more advanced safety protection than a standard horse riding helmet. Some polo helmets also have a metal face guard which can protect the rider's face.

Specialist riding boots also need to be worn; usually coming up to just under the knee, with a flat sole and small hell, Polo boots are designed to prevent the player's foot from slipping through the stirrups and losing control of the horse. It is essential to be in control of the horse due to Polo being played at such a fast speed and losing control could have very dangerous costs.

As well as making sure the rider is safe, it is also important to provide the Polo horse with the right equipment. As well as a comfortable bridle and saddle, many Polo horse also wear special skid boots that are designed to give support and provide shock absorption as the horse speeds around the pitch, changing direction or having to come to a halt rapidly.

In addition to this safety equipment, making sure a horse is also of paramount importance. This means that riders must ensure that their horse has healthy joints as considerable pressure is put upon them whilst taking part in a sport such as Polo. Designed by vets. Using high grade pharmaceutical ingredients, supplements such as NAF Superflex help to prevent horses from gaining injuries and pain, and make sure their joints are healthy and supple. Most supplements such as NAF Superflex are mixed into a horse's food.




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