Your experiences? I have a friend who's considering getting one for a trail horse. She's experienced, but wants to know more about them.
Oh, and why do a lot of them have such ugly necks?
Like these: http://www.ingleshampolo.com/polo_ponies...
Is there a reason for that?
Oh, and why do a lot of them have such ugly necks?
Like these: http://www.ingleshampolo.com/polo_ponies...
Is there a reason for that?
Your friend should be just fine with a retired polo horse, Mandy- and I am speaking as the sister of an active player who occasionally takes her horses on trail rides during the off season, and sometimes, on off days in the summer months. NONE of my sister's polo horses are spooky or hard to control on trails- in fact, they are just the opposite. Playing polo tends to make a horse spookproof ( one might even say BOMBPROOF, which is what a lot of our guys are) because they get used to being in close quarters with other horses and people all the time, plus they get used to things like gunshots, whistles, airhorns, and crowd noise, because all these things are common at matches.
As for the neck issue, this is simple to explain. Polo ponies ALWAYS wear martingales, for two reasons: one is control, and the other is to keep the horse from throwing its head around when the reins are pulled on, or when a rider stands up in the stirrups to hit a shot. If the pony throws its head around against the martingale a lot, this tends to muscle up the underside of the neck.
I hope that helps.
As for the neck issue, this is simple to explain. Polo ponies ALWAYS wear martingales, for two reasons: one is control, and the other is to keep the horse from throwing its head around when the reins are pulled on, or when a rider stands up in the stirrups to hit a shot. If the pony throws its head around against the martingale a lot, this tends to muscle up the underside of the neck.
I hope that helps.
I'm a horse owner and horse professional, and the sister of a polo player.
A polo pony could make a good trail horse. They will probably always have more "get up and go" than your average horse, but in experienced hands should be fine. Topline on horses is a product of muscling and conformation. Many polo ponies are not taught to use their necks as a level top line, and instead use tie downs. Fighting tiedowns muscle the underside of the neck, there by creating ewenecks.
an Ex/polo pony eh? personaly i dont think a horse like that would be of any good for trails.... if you want a trail horse you want either a quarter horse or fjord...something that is stalky and has quite long legs.....
Hope this helps you i may only be 13 but i know alot about animals
Brooklynn Parker
Hope this helps you i may only be 13 but i know alot about animals
Brooklynn Parker
Yes, the ones I've heard of/ had experience with settle in very well.
My niece bought one a couple of years ago. If you weren't told she was a former polo pony, you wouldn't guess it.
Because they're worked hard, they acquire muscle, not fat. They have to be lithe and agile. Like a human runner, no fat, heavy ones there either. When the pony's retired, they lose shape like all of us.
My niece bought one a couple of years ago. If you weren't told she was a former polo pony, you wouldn't guess it.
Because they're worked hard, they acquire muscle, not fat. They have to be lithe and agile. Like a human runner, no fat, heavy ones there either. When the pony's retired, they lose shape like all of us.
Lets just say... read Jilly coopers polo. You will find out about what kind of lives polo ponies have. They gallop around so much that they have no fat, just muscle, so they look slightly odd. I recomend polo to your friend, it will give her a idea what they are like and what attitudes they have. I dont just get my information from the book btw....
They'll be fine.
And no horse is ugly!
And no horse is ugly!