Chapter 6 - Feeding and Turnout

If your boss doesn't require any further help, then you're finished for the day. If you are expected to help back at the stable with feeding and turnout, here's what you can do to help.

Upon arriving back at the ranch, unload each horse from the trailer. Depending on how hot it is, I usually spray the horses off one more time with the hose just to make sure we get all the sweat off and to help them cool down even more. This is a good time to check again for other cuts, swellings, or signs of soreness. Report anything you find to your boss . Next, put them in their stalls and give them some grain. (Your boss will tell you how much grain and if any other supplements are to be used.)

If it's not that hot and you don't hose them down again, you can take a soft bristle brush and go over each of them to smooth out their coats. Not a necessity because they're going to roll once they get out into the pasture anyway!

Make sure the water trough is filled with clean water since this will be their first stop as they enter the pasture. Take their halters off and turn them out. They're done!

The trailer needs to be cleaned out, especially after a long trip. You can help by hosing it out. You can also see if anything else needs to come out of the trailer's tack room and into the stable's tack room. Hang up the blankets and leg wraps on a nearby fence, sweep the barn, turn off the lights and get a cool drink!

It's great if you can get a friend to help you on match days. Not only does it speed things along, but it gives you some company as well.

Congratulations! You're finally finished! By now you are probably exhausted, dirty and ready to relax. Hopefully you will continue on with grooming, and maybe even some day learn to swing a mallet.

Part I - Polo Handbook by Sandy Herron | Part II -Handbook By Sue Sally Hale |

Part III - Grooming the Polo Pony by Carol Barker | Introduction | Preface
Chapter 1| Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4| Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Summary