My first horse was 18 when I started polo. She taught me a lot about the game and carried me to the ball every time. When play changed direction, so did she. When the ball went over the sidelines she stopped.
No need to expend unneeded energy. I played her until she was Older horses also cost less than young ones. They may not be as fast but then, at the beginning, neither are you. So, there are several reasons why mares are chosen most often for polo ponies, although males are still used part of the time.
Most thoroughbreds or thoroughbred crosses are trained starting at the age of three, and the training can last anywhere from six months to two years.
This might be one contributing factor in how many years the horses are able to play. I have a wide head, which is why a regular-shaped hockey helmet hurts at my temples. In the National Hockey League, the specifics of injuries are generally kept pretty quiet. Hockey is a notoriously violent game, and one theory is that teams may want to keep injuries secret so as to Skip to content.
Table of Contents show. What Does it Take to Train Thoroughbreds? Continue Reading. Horses that serve the sport of polo are often called polo ponies.
When the sport originated, Manipuri ponies were preferred as mounts. They stood only The preferred height rose when the game of polo migrated to the West.
Height limits were lifted entirely in Thoroughbreds and thoroughbred crosses are most often used as polo ponies in the United States.
Polo ponies are a type of horse, rather than a breed. Thoroughbreds weigh between four and five hundred kilos and have very powerful muscles and a strong temper. This means they are fast runners, they move with a lot of dexterity and require a very good horseman to ride them. The best of which start competing when they are five years old and continue doing so until they are 12, there are some exceptions with some horses competing until they are A great majority of polo horses are in fact mares.
Female horses are preferred for competitions over gelded males for several reasons. Some of which are open for discussion, such as the belief that mares are built better and have softer tempers. Others are more a matter of fact: mares make money as breeders and this is why polo players whose income may come in part from breeding sell the colts and keep the fillies for their own breeding farms. 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.
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