Last month, polo player, biophysicist and physician Robert Do explained some of the environmental issues we face today and what polo players can do to be more ecologically and environmentally conscious while ultimately reducing our carbon footprints. This month we continue with ways polo players can accomplish those goals in the barn and at their polo clubs.

Do, president of Maryland’s Capitol Polo Club, literally got the ball rolling at his club by holding a Green Cup on July 19, the first sporting and social event to be certified green. The cup was played to raise awareness of environmental issues and global warming as well as to raise money to support prominent, non-profit, environmental organizations.

The Meadowbrook Polo Club in Westbury, New York, is doing its part with a Taste of Long Island, which was scheduled for September 21. The event was a fundraiser for the North Shore Land Alliance, which supports protecting land, acre by acre. The organization’s concerns include land conservation, open space, clean water, climate change, trees and saving the planet for future generations.

You too can schedule fund-raisers at your club to benefit environmental causes. But that’s not all. There are plenty of things you can do on a regular basis in your barn, on your farm and at your polo club to help the environment.

If you have plans to build a barn, consult with your architect to make maximum use of light and air flow, like cross breezes to keep the barn cool in the summer and eliminate the need for fans. In colder climates, insulate to conserve heat in the winter. A barn with plenty of natural light will allow you to keep the lights off most of the day.

Incorporate local building materials into the barn when possible. Transporting materials from other areas will not only cost you more, but it will cost the environment as well.

Use recycled materials when possible. Barn flooring, mats, arena and track footing are often made from recycled materials, from sneakers to tires. Some arena and track footing is dust-free, requiring little or no watering.

Buy shavings in bulk. If you have to purchase bagged shavings, ask your supplier if they offer reusable bags, such as burlap. If not, choose paper, which is easier to break down than plastic. If nothing else, be sure the bags your shavings come in are made from recycled materials and are recycled after use.

Make a point to recycle at your barn and club. Keep a separate garbage can available for plastic, aluminum and glass drinking bottles and other recyclables.

Use energy-efficient light bulbs in your barn. Use energy-efficient appliances only, like washers and dryers for your barn laundry and water heaters. Keep lights off except when absolutely necessary Regularly remove manure from your property. Store in covered bins off the ground, preventing harmful phosphorous to seep into the ground.

Polo requires a lot of travel to and from the polo fields. Replace heavy steel trailers with lighter aluminum versions for better fuel efficiency. Use the most energyefficient trucks, like flex-fuel trucks that can drive on E85, a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Rather than having grooms and family members travel to games in separate vehicles, have everyone go together when possible.

Water conservation is always a concern. Use hoses with shut-off valves so you can turn the water off when not in use, or when moving from one stall to another, between water troughs or when bathing horses. Automatic waterers in stalls and pastures cut down on the amount of water wasted.

When watering polo fields, abide by local restrictions. Water either early in the morning or at night, when the sun is not out, to limit the amount of evaporation. Be sure to turn sprinklers off if it is raining. Over-watering can cause fungal problems and will prevent the roots from growing deep enough, making the field easy to tear up. Prolonged drought can stress the field beyond its ability to repair itself.

Different varieties of grass require different things. Check with your local agricultural agent for the optimal height, amount of water and amount and type of fertilizer for the type of grass and soil on your polo field.

Look for environmentally friendly fertilizers. Phosphorous runoff, from both the country. Get your soil tested periodically, and use fertilizers with the lowest phosphorous levels needed. Read fertilizer ingredients and consult with your state agricultural agency for the safest fertilizers.

Be mindful when using herbicides or pesticides. Overuse can result in toxins polluting runoff in streams, canals and other waterways. Widespread contamination is possible. Some products are restricted and should not be applied by anyone except trained and licensed applicators. The key is knowledge. If you aren’t sure what to use, contact your local, state or farm agencies for help. Fertilizer salesman can also be helpful, but remember, their ultimate goal is to sell you more product.

When buying products claiming to be green or environmentally friendly, be cautious. The growing concern about climate change has led more companies to market their products as green, but there is a lack of standards as to what actually constitutes green products or services, causing confusion. Some companies take advantage of the confusion in making false or exaggerated claims.

Author Amy Phillips Penn is doing her part. She wrote a short story titled, Diosa: One Mare’s Odyssey on the Planet Earth. The story was inspired by a trip from Florida to get away from hurricanes, only to escape from San Diego fires. She was traveling with two horses and a dog. Diosa’s story is a plea for taking care of the planet and providing better shelter and emergency provisions for horses and other animals. Diosa is a polo pony formally owned by Tony Coppola. The book is illustrated with photos by David Lominska. It is a true story from a horse’s point of view on why we need to save the planet. The book is available upon request by sending email to penn @ amypenn.com.