Polo is a team sport played on horseback. The game can be described as one in which players attempt to hit a ball through the opposing team's goal with a mallet, but this does little to convey the hair-trigger timing and superb teamwork between rider, mount and teammates as they reach speeds approaching 30 mph; for that, you must view a live match. Polo tack refers to the specialized bridles, saddles and pads with which the polo ponies are equipped.
History
The game of polo may be the oldest team sport in history. Originally instituted as a cavalry drill, polo was first played recreationally in Persia around 500 B.C. Its popularity continued through the Middle Ages, when it was played throughout Asia from Constantinople to Japan. In the nineteenth century, a group of British officers observed an exhibition game in Manipur, India, and promptly introduced it in their native country. In 1876, American publisher James Gordon Bennett helped to popularize the game in New York. The "golden age" of polo occurred in the 1920s and '30s, with such luminaries as Clark Gable and Walt Disney as aficionados. Polo is currently played in more than 60 countries and enjoyed by more than 50 million people each year.
Polo Bridles
The bridle, a network of leather straps, functions to hold the bit that goes into the horse's mouth; reins attached to the bit enable the rider to direct the horse's movements. English-style bridles -- primarily the Pelham bridle and the gag bridle -- are used in polo. The Pelham bridle features two sets of reins: one for the snaffle action -- in which the bit contacts the horse's mouth directly -- and one for curb action, to access the metal protuberances extending downward from the bit that give more leverage and control A gag bridle features a bit which can be rotated into the corners of the horse's mouth; it can have a harsh action unless carefully used by an experienced rider. Aside from polo, the gag bridle is used in rodeo speed events and certain types of show jumping; it is prohibited in most other equestrian events.
Polo Saddles
A polo saddle is a type of English saddle, with a regular girth and an overgirth to prevent slippage and provide extra security. Polo saddles feature flat seats and long saddle flaps with minimal padding; this allows more freedom of movement for the rider's legs. Side reins are occasionally used for extra control; these extend from the girth through the bridle rings to the rider's hands. Most polo saddles are made of leather or suede; the tree -- or saddle framework -- is often reinforced for sturdiness.
Polo Saddle Pads
Polo saddle pads are used to protect the horse's back from friction from the saddle, and to protect the saddle from sweat from the horse. They are traditionally designed with the polo player's farm or ranch colors, or they may be emblazoned with the team's insignia or colors. They can also be monogrammed with the rider's initials. Polo saddle pads are often made of cotton twill; they may be quilted for extra comfort.
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