Christian Moon has posted the first in a series of videos on schooling a green horse for polo. In this first video, Moon shows us how to acclimate the green horse to its first mallet and its first saddle. Moon talks about introducing the “whoa” command, keeping the intensity of the training session low to keep the horse relaxed, and punishment vs. positive reinforcement.
Schooling a Green Horse for Polo – Video 2
In this second video in the “Schooling a Green Horse for Polo” series, Christian introduces Hanalei to her first saddle and her first attempts at learning to steer.
Schooling a Green Horse for Polo – Video 3
Christian shows us how to prompt the horse to move forward with her rider and the proper reward for desirable behavior. He also shows us how only through proper repetition can we teach the horse to respond favorably to the mount and dismount
Schooling a Green Horse For Polo – Video 4
This is the fourth video in the Schooling a Green Horse for Polo series. Christian talks about talks about “playing” with problem areas to get the horse to more easily accept tack and commands, preparing the horse for the roll-back maneuver and continuing to practice halting.
Schooling a Green Horse for Polo – Video 5
In this 5th installment of the Schooling a Green Horse for Polo series, Christian works with Hanalei on her stops. This is perhaps the 10 to 14th time she has been ridden.
Schooling A Green Horse For Polo – Video 6
In this, the sixth video in the Schooling a Green Horse for Polo series, Hanalei plays in her first chukker! In a very few weeks from her first introduction to a saddle, Hanalei has made great progress. Notice that Christian takes care to keep the intensity and stress low and allows Hanalei to enjoy running [...]
Schooling a Green Horse for Polo – Video 7
Christian talks about acclimating the green horse to other horses on the field, and the swinging mallets that come with them. He talks about introducing the ride-off and using the trot to help balance the horse by changing diagonals rather than being forced to balance the horse by changing leads at the canter.
Schooling a Green Horse for Polo – Tobacco Video 1
Christian demonstrates stops, checks, and both right and left turns throughout the chukker. He emphasizes keeping a relaxed grip on the horse, keeping the horse balanced and on the proper lead, and using soft contact with the horses mouth via the reins.