What makes a polo pony

Horses used in polo are called polo ponies, and the four primary horse breeds used during polo matches are Thoroughbred, Argentine Polo Pony, Thoroughbred-Quarter cross, and the Manipuri Breed. All are fast and agile, both traits needed for the sport. Polo is the earliest equestrian team sport, and horses have been selectively bred through generations to create the best genetic match for a game that requires speed, endurance, and agility.

But how much do you know about polo horses — and what is it that makes one breed better suited for the game? This article covers the different horse breeds used in polo and answers all the questions you have about polo ponies.

Polo is played in both amateur and professional forms using different types of polo ponies. In the U. A polo pony must be fast and agile on the field, and even though they are called ponies, they are technically full-sized horses capable of outstanding athletic performance.

Thoroughbreds are known for their power, speed, and agility, and they make the best polo ponies compared to criollo and quarter horses. Thoroughbreds are strong and versatile breeds that are most commonly used in the United States. Polo horses tend to be crossbreeds of different horses — and in the U. The thoroughbred is built for speed and has strong hindquarters that allow it to run fast for long durations.

The Argentinian is a cross between a thoroughbred and an Argentinian breed known as criollo. Criollos are essentially working cow horses with a remarkably agile body and are valued for this ability. Thoroughbreds are bred with criollos to create a horse with more endurance, and this crossbreed is known as Argentine polo pony or Argentine-Anglo.

These horses combine the speed and endurance of Thoroughbreds with the power and quickness of a quarterhorse. The result is an outstanding polo pony which is why in the U. But their physical strength and speed are ideal for polo games, where the agility and limber physique allow them to make quick turns and achieve rapid acceleration. Top ponies show great cleverness in anticipating the run of the ball and in placing themselves at the best distance from it for the rider to make his stroke.

Without the polo pony, polo would be just another stick and ball game. The Polo Pony. The polo pony is selected carefully for quick bursts of speed, stamina, agility and manoeuvrability. Temperament is critical; the horse must remain responsive under pressure and not become excited or difficult to control.

Many are Thoroughbreds or Thoroughbred crosses. They are trained to be handled with one hand on the reins, and to respond to the rider's leg and weight cues for moving forward, turning and stopping. A well trained horse will carry its rider smoothly and swiftly to the ball and can account for 60 to 75 percent of the player's skill and net worth to his team.

Polo training generally begins at age three and lasts from about six months to two years. Most horses reach full physical maturity at about age five, and ponies are at their peak of athleticism and training at around age 6 or 7.

However, without any accidents, polo ponies may have the ability to play until they are 18 to 20 years of age. Each player must have more than one pony , so tired mounts can be exchanged for fresh mounts between or even during periods, called chukkers,[18] chukkers or chukkas[citation needed]. A player's "string" of polo ponies may number 2 or 3 in Low Goal matches with ponies being rested for at least a chukker before reuse , 4 or more for Medium Goal matches at least one per chukker , and even more for the highest levels of competition.

Info source: thepolera. All rights reserved. E: internationalsales caminorealpolo. El caballo de polo - the history of the Argentine polo horse. A bit about Polo History.