Instructors Forum

Wild Ride

What to do when a horse won’t stop

by Tom Goodspeed

Given that polo entails traveling atop horses at full speed, it’s not uncommon for players to find themselves in poor control to some degree. That degree, however, can range from the pony being a little tough to check to it being an all-out runaway hell-bent on returning to the barn or trailer, even it means running through substantial obstacles with or without you aboard.

In the worst-case scenario, here’s what to do; • Don’t panic or yell unless to warn others; you could spook the pony even more. • Drop your mallet and whip. • If you are unsure how to handle a runaway and have the chance, make an emergency dismount before the horse gets up more speed. • If you opt against the dismount, separate your reins into two hands and try to turn the horse into a circle. If he turns, gradually keep making the circle smaller until the horse stops. • If turning doesn’t work and you still have a death grip on the horse, loosen the reins a little and then jerk them backwards. Repeat if effective— pulling steadily on a runaway is almost always ineffective, but pulling and releasing the reins sharply often does the trick. • If your reins are too long, shorten them and put your feet a little forward so you can brace against the stirrups while you pull. If you start falling back in the saddle, use the martingale’s neck strap to regain your balance. • If all else has failed, look for a clear landing spot and get off the horse, if possible; staying aboard can be a problem if it runs close to any obstacles.

Dismounting at speed is also very dangerous, but if the situation ever presents itself only you will be in a position to decide what to do. If it is any consolation, I’ve been riding for over 50 years, have been run away with about 15 times and have never had to opt for the last-resort dismount.

To handle a runaway successfully it helps to know why a horse would behave this way—in fact, understanding its motives can help you prevent the horse from running away in the first place. The following are common causes of runaways or horses tough to stop and some possible solutions to the problems:

• Fatigue

Equine fatigue can result from poor conditioning or an unusually fast chukker with few, if any, timeouts. The obvious preventive measure is better conditioning, which you can learn from an experienced trainer.

On the field, pace your pony as well as yourself—polo is a team sport, and you aren’t supposed to be in every play. If you are playing a horse two chukkers, choose your runs, don’t overdo warm-ups beforehand and let the horse rest during time-outs. If it seems to be tiring anyway, change to a fresh pony. If that is not possible, go to the back position and stay there; tell your teammates your horse is tired and let them take up the slack.

Always take advantage of time-outs for penalties, knock-ins, etc. by allowing your horse to stand still or walk to rest. Also, turn your horse’s nose into the wind to allow it maximum air flow.

• Improper Bitting

An unsuitable, improperly fitted or broken bit can spell disastrous miscommunications between horse and rider, as well as any number of misbehaviors traceable to a mouth made sore by the bit.

Make sure you’re using the right bits and other tack before the chukker. Is the bit too tight, too low, too narrow? Is the curb chain right? Is the martingale too short or long? What type of noseband does your horse prefer? Does the horse go better in a curb bit, a snaffle or some type of gag? Does he get his tongue over the bit? What size port, if any, should it have? Should you use draw reins?

These questions and their answers will vary from horse to horse, and there are no simple answers. Some horses go great on a loose chain, some on a tight one. Get advice from experts and experiment—preferably in practice chukkers or stick and balling—until you find the best bitting combination for each horse. Some horses don’t adapt to change well, so take it slow. And bigger is not always better. Too much bit can sometimes

scare a horse so start with less and add more as necessary.

• Getting Startled

Even the most bomb-proof old trail horse can run away for no reason perceptible to humans, so it is hardly surprising that high-strung polo ponies occasionally get spooked enough to trigger their flight-for-survival instincts; a bee stings, a sprinkler goes on, a truck backfires, a mallet or ball gets stuck under the pony’s tail, a drone flies too close above you, you are holding a drink and it spills on the horse, a wind gust picks up a tent, or a bus rolls through the wall of the arena you are playing in (don’t laugh—this actually happened to me).

What can you do in such unforseen circumstances? Be prepared! Always be cautious on and around horses and never get too relaxed. Never talk on your phone while riding. Anticipate the worst and you will seldom be surprised. Gather your reins before you mount and never let them get too loose. Horses are more likely to spook when they are at a walk then when they are doing something. In the event your mallet or whip does get caught under the horse’s tail—which may sound funny, but only until it happens to you—push, don’t pull, and if you can’t get it out, make an emergency dismount.

• Poor Equitation

If you are not a strong rider with a sturdy seat, you are a prime candidate for losing control of your horse. Never stop working on your riding. Some things to consider: are you gripping with your calf instead of your upper leg? Are you spurring the horse at the same time you are pulling back? Should you be using spurs at all? Are your reins too high or too tight? Be mindful—and honest—about your riding ability when choosing your horses and the level of polo you play.

• Shortfalls in Ability or Conformation

Some horses just aren’t built or prepared for the checking and stopping maneuvers polo requires. In these cases, you have no choice but to accept nature or suffer the consequences.

• Mental Distress

Some horses have fears or defense mechanisms that make them grab the bit to escape the rider’s control. Such mental blocks can result from poor training, abusive handing or even one bad experience, such as a collision between horses. While some horses will freak for a few weeks after such an

experience and then get over it, others won’t.

If you suspect your pony has a mental problem, find a qualified trainer. Whether the condition was caused by you or someone else before you, don’t mess with a problem horse if it is not worth ruining the pony, your health or your life.

• Physical Distress

When was the last time you had an equine dentist check your horses’ teeth? Horses’ teeth should be checked once or twice annually. A sharp or broken tooth or a bit that is pinching the cheek can cause mouth sores and irritation that is reason enough for a horse to run away.

Back soreness, leg pain—such as in the hocks— or foot soreness can be even more painful when the horse is asked to stop. In an effort to get away from the pain, the horse may run rather than stop.

Checkups from both a veterinarian and an equine dentist will help pinpoint the kinds of pain and irritation that can make horses run wild.

While any horse can take off with its rider for reasons no human can fathom, most runaway situations are explicable and thus preventable. In most cases, therefore, it is unfair to blame the pony if you find yourself on an unwanted high-speed ride; instead, take the time to learn how to keep it from pulling a fast one. •

If your horse is reluctant to stop, have it checked by a veterinarian and an equine dentist.