Does Equipment Weight Really Matter in Polo?

Polo is one of the most physically demanding sports for a horse—rapid accelerations, hard stops, explosive turns, and extended chukka times all put an immense strain on their body.

We ask a lot from our horses. So why make it harder?

Simply put, less equipment weight = less strain on your horse. This principle is at the core of our saddlery designs, taking a holistic approach to weight reduction. Even small adjustments across all equipment can add up to a significant cumulative impact.

In Ross Ainsley’s words:

"Weight stops trains. Even the heaviest, most powerful machines are affected by weight. In the racing world, just 500 grams over a 1.4-minute sprint can be the difference between winning and losing. Now, imagine our sport where we play for 7.5 minutes, which often stretches to 15 minutes with stoppages. Polo demands far more from our horses compared to racing, requiring them to stop, turn, and accelerate repeatedly under intense conditions. The effect of weight compounds massively and is certainly an important factor in performance, responsiveness, and longevity."

The Weight Equation in Polo

A full set of polo tack—including saddle, girth, pads, stirrups, bridle, and leg protection—can easily weigh 20kg (44 lbs).

So, what can we control? We can’t change the weight of a horse, but we can reduce unnecessary weight in the tack.

How We Designed the MVP for Maximum Performance with Minimal Weight

Not all polo saddles are built the same. Traditional polo saddles weigh 8-9kg (18-20 lbs)—a lot of extra load for a horse that needs to stop, turn, and accelerate on a dime.

The MVP saddle was designed to cut excess weight without sacrificing strength, stability, or balance.

MVP Saddle: Lighter, Smarter, Stronger

• Weighs just 5kg (11 lbs)—one of the lightest high-performance polo saddles on the market. Our microfibre material available in Bespoke MVP Series 2 is even lighter!
  
  
• Semi-flex tree allows natural movement, reducing fatigue and strain.
  
  
• Optimised weight distribution ensures stability without unnecessary bulk.
  

A lighter saddle means less weight shifting, better acceleration, smoother stops, and a horse that stays fresher through the game.

Ainsley Length Stirrup Leathers: Removing Excess Bulk

Ever looked at traditional stirrup leathers and wondered why they’re so long? Most riders don’t use half the available holes, and over time, those leathers stretch—making them even longer and adding unnecessary weight.

That’s why we developed 'Ainsley Length' stirrup leathers.

• 6 inches shorter than standard leathers—removes excess bulk.
  
  
• Prevents unnecessary weight dragging on your horse’s side.
  
  
• Made from premium non-stretch buffalo leather—stays strong, light, and durable.

Other Smart Weight-Saving Innovations

• Traditional polo stirrups weigh over 1kg (2.2 lbs)—ours cut that weight by half.
  
• Shorter Reins: 'No knot' running reins and straight reins available in a shorter length to help remove that excess weight from unnecessary leather.
  
  
• Lightweight Tendon Boots: Lightweight leg protection reduces unnecessary strain on tendons. We recommend the Tendon Boots by Racing Tack.
  

The Takeaway: Every Gram Counts

Polo is a sport of precision, speed, and endurance. Shaving off weight across every piece of tack compounds over time. Less strain, more freedom of movement, better endurance.

It’s the difference between a horse that feels fresh in the 6th chukka and one that’s struggling to keep up.

Want to feel the difference? Check out the MVP Saddle and our lightweight gear designed for peak performance. Your horse will thank you.