Polo Rules

if i am a yard away form the fence and i get checked into it, my natural instinct is to pt my hand out to stop my face / head going into it. At a certain point / distance form the fence this is infinitely more sensible than not using your hands. In fact i dont think i could stop my brain from telling my hand not to go out. If it didnt i would probably break my neck because of the angle you would hit the fence (about 45 deg).
Really most rules should be about safety. I have heard so many times people say. "your an idiot for putting your hand on the fence, you'll break your fingers wrist etc" I dont think an open palm to push you back upright is the same thing as splaying your fingers out and slotting them through holes in the fence.

I think (I could be wrong) the proposed rule is to stop those moments in the game when someone is holding onto to the fence for an extended period, as opposed to someone breaking a potential fall. In the same way, I put my foot down when I'm going down (pushed or not), to prevent myself landing on my side - it's unintentional, but it's still a foot-down.

I'd like to see how the rule works out in actual play before condemning or applauding it - it's intended to speed up play, and I think everyone recognises that having players holding themselves off the fence when stationary and holding the ball isn't polo - as all rules have unintended consequences. The situation you outline above maybe something that needs to be looked at, though.