Horseback Riding Summer Camp
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Horseback riding has been popular for centuries for a many reasons. Soon, horseback riding became a primary mode of travel. In the beginning, horses were primarily used for fighting and hunting. The speed of the horse gave people a great advantage. With the advent of wagons and carriages, people could move themselves and their belongings long distances with comparatively little difficulty.
Today, horseback riding is primarily used for recreation and therapy. Horseback riding camps are available from and to almost anywhere in the world. From Alaska to Mexico, from Botswana to Mongolia, horseback riding camps provide much more than just merely riding through hills and valleys.
Instruction about horse care and grooming are also basic requirements for attending a horse camp. They also teach about different kinds of tack, such as saddles, bridles, halters, bits and other horse gear. Most riding levels are catered to in horseback riding camps, and they are suitable for both novice and experienced riders who may find themselves fortunate enough to own a horse for the first time in their life.
When choosing a horseback riding camp, you must first decide which style of riding your child wants to learn. Western riding is generally associated with cowboys, ranches, and rodeos. Horseback riding camps can be found throughout the United States, and are also known as Dude Ranches or Guest Ranches in many western portions of the country. Popular western riding activities include trail riding and barrel racing. Western saddles were designed with the comfort and security of the rider in mind, so it has a higher seat back (cantle) and front (pommel) so riders feel secure while on the horse.
English riding, on the other hand, generally focuses on jumping, racing and horsemanship. This style of riding requires the horse and rider both to have more freedom of movement, so these saddles don’t provide as much support and security as does a Western style saddle. If your child is a first time rider, they might want to consider a Western riding camp.
Horseback riding is great therapy for persons of all ages with physical or mental disabilities. This type of therapy provides a fun environment to practice new skills and existing skills that people are seeking to improve. In addition, they are able to enjoy the benefits of being around people with whom they can easily relate.
If you’re looking to do something a little different the next time summer rolls around, consider horseback riding camps whether you own a horse or not. The experiences and fun gained at horseback riding camps will ensure that your stay will be a highlight you’ll remember forever.
Polo Ponies
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Summary
The term “Polo pony” is an expression for a horse or pony that is used in the game of Polo.
Polo ponies are not a registered breed but a type of horse or pony that possess intelligence, bravery, speed, strength and masses of agility as the polo pony has to gallop and turn around and halt rapidly on demand. On the Horsewizard website you’ll find many Ponies for Sale suitable for the sport of Polo. Polo is considered to be one of the fasted games in the world; sometimes reaching speeds of around 30 mph, relentless galloping and quick changes of direction can put massive amounts of stress on the polo pony’s body. Polo ponies must have good confirmation to help with the rigours of the game.
Confirmation
A strong muscular body is needed; this will help when being bumped by others.
A deep sloping shoulder, this will allow for the rigors of “riding off”.
A deep and wide chest giving ample room for the heart and lungs, this will help with stamina.
Well defined withers to keep the saddle in place as the rider will make a tremendous amount of movement.
Ample room between the point of hip and the stifle, combined with a well let down hock to permit the utmost power from the hind quarters.
Pasterns can be more upright than normally acceptable to reduce the strain on the tendons.
Polo pony turn out
Polo ponies are traditionally hogged.This is a practice where the mane and forelock are shaved off, this is to prevent the mallet from getting caught up in the mane.
Polo ponies have their tail taped up during practice and in competition.This is to stop the ponies tail from getting in the way of the polo mallet which could potentially harm the pony, also a tail down may obscure the ball from vision.
Polo ponies legs are always bandaged and the ponies often wear protective boots to help protect their legs from the rigours of the game and to give their legs as much support as possible.
History and development
Argentina is the largest exporter of polo ponies. They have created some of the greatest polo ponies on the planet. This has been done by crossing the native Argentine Criollo horse with the Thoroughbred horse.
When polo was first discovered in India by the British the ponies used stood around 12 hands, only ponies could be used in the game until 1919 when height limits were brought to an end.
Hence the term “Polo pony”.
If you are interested in Horses for Sale or more information about popular breeds and types of Horse and Pony visit the Horsewizard website.