Summary

The term "Polo pony" is an expression for a horse or pony that is used in the game of Polo.

Polo ponies are not a registered breed but a type of horse or pony that possess intelligence, bravery, speed, strength and masses of agility as the polo pony has to gallop and turn around and halt rapidly on demand. On the Horsewizard website you'll find many Ponies for Sale suitable for the sport of Polo. Polo is considered to be one of the fasted games in the world; sometimes reaching speeds of around 30 mph, relentless galloping and quick changes of direction can put massive amounts of stress on the polo pony’s body. Polo ponies must have good confirmation to help with the rigours of the game.

Confirmation

A strong muscular body is needed; this will help when being bumped by others.

A deep sloping shoulder, this will allow for the rigors of "riding off".

A deep and wide chest giving ample room for the heart and lungs, this will help with stamina.

Well defined withers to keep the saddle in place as the rider will make a tremendous amount of movement.

Ample room between the point of hip and the stifle, combined with a well let down hock to permit the utmost power from the hind quarters.

Pasterns can be more upright than normally acceptable to reduce the strain on the tendons.

Polo pony turn out

Polo ponies are traditionally hogged.This is a practice where the mane and forelock are shaved off, this is to prevent the mallet from getting caught up in the mane.

Polo ponies have their tail taped up during practice and in competition.This is to stop the ponies tail from getting in the way of the polo mallet which could potentially harm the pony, also a tail down may obscure the ball from vision.

Polo ponies legs are always bandaged and the ponies often wear protective boots to help protect their legs from the rigours of the game and to give their legs as much support as possible.

History and development

Argentina is the largest exporter of polo ponies. They have created some of the greatest polo ponies on the planet. This has been done by crossing the native Argentine Criollo horse with the Thoroughbred horse.

When polo was first discovered in India by the British the ponies used stood around 12 hands, only ponies could be used in the game until 1919 when height limits were brought to an end.

Hence the term "Polo pony".

If you are interested in Horses for Sale or more information about popular breeds and types of Horse and Pony visit the Horsewizard website.