WHAT IS PONY POLO?

A polo pony is the term used for a horse used in the game of polo. They may be of any breed or combination of breeds, though many have a significant amount of Thoroughbred breeding. They are called "ponies", but that is a reference to their agile type rather than their size; almost all are horse-sized. The term ‘pony’, although widely used in the sport of polo is, in fact, something of a misnomer, as there are currently no height (or breed) restrictions to the animals in polo. The history of polo spans many centuries of variations of the game, having evolved into the game of today and a good polo pony is always in demand globally. The pony is the most important factor, other than the skill of the player and often times in history it has been the qualities of a Polo Pony who determined the winner of a game. Prior to 1899 the height limit for ponies was 13.2 hands measured at the withers (a ‘hand’ being 4 inches). In 1899 it was raised to 14.2 hands or 58 inches. In 1919 the height restrictions were abandoned. Most players agree that the polo “pony” represents 70%-80% of a player’s game. Not restricted by breeding, the mounts are usually at least three-quarters thoroughbred or better. The characteristics of the thoroughbred, which make it so ideal for the game, are that it has more stamina, goes farther, faster, and has a better disposition for polo.

Most polo ponies are mixed breed horses. Polo ponies are often crosses between thoroughbreds and horses native to the region of the polo team. In the United States, thoroughbreds are often crossed with Quarter Horses, producing fast moving and agile horses that can maneuver around the field efficiently.  They require considerable training and ongoing conditioning, and because each rider requires at least two horses in a single match, this can be a considerable expense. When playing, polo ponies have their manes roached and tails braided so that there is no danger of being tangled in the mallet. There are usually four to six chukkers per match, each chukker lasting seven and a half minutes, with every horse being on the move constantly throughout the chukker. For the sake of balance, a fairly long, well muscled neck that is in no way heavy is absolutely essential for the Polo Pony. Prominent withers with good, strong shoulders are also an essential attribute if the pony is to be sufficiently handy. The back needs to be short and the ribs well sprung. Good quarters are an obvious requirement, as they must be able to gallop flat out, stop in a second and turn on a dime, or less! Polo ponies can be found from searching through large numbers of horses bred primarily for other purposes, such as handling cattle or racing, and then selecting those few that show outstanding natural aptitude for polo.

These horses are then trained to allow the player to hit the ball all around them, to gallop straight on the line of the ball, to face an onrush of others horses, to jump from a standstill into a gallop, to stop and turn handily, and to ride into the other horses as and when required. Concurrently with this they are played, slowly at first, and they generally improve as they gain experience of the game. The Criollo, the native horse of Argentina, derived from early Spanish stock is probably as tough and sound as any other horse in the world and is the cow pony of the legendary gauchos. When crossed with the Thoroughbred, it became the base for the Argentina Polo Pony. Polo ponies have their manes hogged and their tails plaited up before a match, so that the polo mallet will not get tangled in them. Formerly, their tails would be docked and banged. Today, polo ponies in competition often have their dock trimmed or shaved, and the skirt of the tail is braided and folded up against the tailbone. The braid is tied off with a lock of hair excluded from the braid, taped, or tied off and taped. The riders are athletes to, playing an intricate game of lines with the ball and other players.  토토사이트웹