The Making of a Polo Pony
The origins of most polo ponies can be attributed to two primary sources: breeding for polo and retraining for polo from the racetrack or other disciplines. The sport does not have formal breed requirements; as long as their size, conformation, and mental capacity are well suited to polo and their rider's style of play, they can learn the sport. Ponies that are broad-chested with a short back, facilitating quicker turning and pivoting, are often highly sought after.
Like horses for other disciplines, young polo ponies must first be 'backed.' This term refers to the initial stage of training, which can start as young as two years old, where the pony learns to accept a rider and the weight of a saddle. Depending on the individual trainer and the pony's attitude, this process can last anywhere from a few weeks of 'boot camp' to a few months.
When ponies are purchased to be retrained for polo, most have already completed this stage of training. When purchasing for retraining, the key is to find a pony that isn't too experienced in their former discipline. Deeply ingrained habits can be difficult to overcome and can make for a challenge regarding retraining.
Thoroughbreds that are seven-plus years old and have raced since they were two are often considered too experienced in racing to be effectively retrained for polo. Trainers sourcing thoroughbreds from the track will usually give horses vacation for a few weeks to a month to allow for high levels of energy (from high levels of protein in feed at the track). Once their energy levels have normalized, the horses will be much easier to work with and begin to retrain.
Once backed, polo ponies must learn the maneuvers they need on the field. The most important of these is neck reining, a style of controlling the pony whereby the player uses the pressure of the reins on the horse's neck to steer it. Horses coming from western riding disciplines and ranching often already have this skill.
The next important focus is building muscle and teaching the pony to carry itself with balance and no contact from the rider. Polo is often played at high speeds; ponies must also be able to change direction quickly and maintain balance throughout the turn. Most importantly, ponies must learn to listen to their rider and always be ready and willing to do what they ask.
These skills are often taught in a contained area like an arena or fenced paddock, where there are walls to help teach the pony the fine controls required. Depending on the pony, this can take a few weeks to a few months.
Ponies often get their first look at the mallet and ball on the ground. Trainers will stand in front of the pony, kicking the ball around their hooves and swinging the mallet around their head to desensitize them to both things. Once safe, trainers will begin slowly swinging the mallet and tapping the ball gently to further desensitize them.
Ponies must always have a positive experience with the mallet and ball at this stage so they learn not to fear them. Some trainers believe that leaving the mallet and ball in the pony's stall or paddock can help them get used to it on their terms and alleviate nerves. Once desensitized, trainers will begin stick and balling, combining the skills learned in the riding component of their training with the demands of the mallet and ball.
Upon mastering mallet skills, ponies must start learning game skills. This stage often varies depending on the pony and trainer. Ponies naturally inclined to polo will reach this stage quickly, while others may need more time. The biggest obstacle for ponies learning to play is the mental component, especially for those retrained for the sport.
Polo ponies aren't just being asked to compete physically but also to learn to listen intently for what their rider wants while following the game and being able to co-exist with several other pony and rider pairs. It's often said that a good polo pony knows the game almost as well as their rider, if not better, and this instinctual ability is challenging to teach. Ponies must want to play, and any trainer will say that a pony that doesn't have the mental capacity to play the game will reveal that early on.
The full-contact nature of the game further complicates their job. Ponies must learn to be comfortable body-checking other pony and rider pairs at their player's command. They are exercised in sets of five or more, and this is often the best way to teach horses to be comfortable with this proximity as they learn to travel alongside each other while maintaining similar speeds and contact with one another.
When a pony has mastered the maneuvers, stick and ball, and game skills, it is ready to enter 'green (young) horse chukkers.' This term refers to practice games designed for young or inexperienced horses. While playing chukkers, ponies will continue to practice and improve skills on the stick and ball field, build fitness on sets, and participate in drills such as playing one-on-one with other ponies and players and umpiring games to allow them to experience games firsthand.
Once participating in chukkers, the pony will continue to have more and more asked of it, and it will learn to listen and react at speed. They are the ultimate deciding factor regarding how long the training stage lasts. Some ponies are naturals and take to the demands of the game quickly, while others require more practice.
Training is as much an art as science, and there are as many methods as trainers. Despite individual differences, training a polo pony is a journey that requires patience and dedication. It can take anywhere between a year and a half to three years. At the end of the day, when a pony can do everything asked of it and still maintain a relaxed attitude, they're ready to play.
