Despite the name, a Polo Pony is a horse, as they are over 14 hands in size – that’s 142cm from the ground to its shoulder blades – and they are predominantly of thoroughbred breeding or quarter cross.
Thoroughbreds are typically preferred due to their speed, agility, and spirit. Many Polo Ponies come from the racing world, where high volumes of horses are turned over to find a true champion.
How are they trained?
A horse will be trained from the age of three for around two years before being brought onto a Polo bound, and in that time, a rider will build a bond of trust with the horse and gradually train it to move and react in specific ways to the rider’s commends.
How is a Polo Pony prepared for a match?
To prepare a Polo Pony for a match, first, the mane is removed, so that it does not obstruct the rider’s view around the horse’s neck.
A polo bridle is put on the horse’s head, which has a standing martingale and two sets of reigns. A polo saddle is placed on its back, but this saddle doesn’t have knee rolls and the pommel is low to allow the rider to positions themselves forward on the horse. The standing martingale encourages the horse to keep its head lower by placing pressure on the nose.
The horse’s tail is taped up so that it doesn’t interfere with the stick and the player’s view, and a surcingle is put around the saddle to help stabilise it as a backup in case the girth breaks.
Bandages are applied to all four legs to provide extra support and protection, and brushing boots are added to the front legs, with overreach boots on the front feet for further protection. Studs are placed in both rear shows to allow for extra grip.
If you’re looking for the best horses for polo, talk to us today.