Backing a polo pony

[madiz123]

Hey i play polo and am in need of another pony, there is a 4yo for sale that has just been backed but i dont know if i could continue training it. I am still at school but have a 13 week holiday this summer and have never trained a horse from scratch before, is it reasonable to try this?? And has anyone got any tips on this kind of thing??

thanks x

 

[kit279]

Hmm. I wouldn't take on a 4 year old unless I had an experienced person to help me out on a very regular basis. And by experienced, I mean - old, seen it all before, regularly works with polo ponies. I sometimes get my polo ponies from the racetrack and teach them to play but it's hard work, I've had some nasty falls and they may not be any good even after you put all the time in. How much are they asking for the pony and what breed is it?

You can teach them to neck rein in about a week but temperament is very important. I start mine by hacking out, then I start carrying a polo stick, eventually I wave it around a bit, I make gentle swings. Once they are happy with that, I put about 10 balls around the pitch. I walk the pony around, to get him used to them, then I take a very leisurely swing at them, I don't make a fuss if I miss, just keep walking. Eventally, I take them to a game, usually to umpire just to get them used to the noise and the other horses. Only when I'm happy that they're happy will I actually play them. So 13 weeks is probably enough time but the pony will probably not be ready in time to play this season.

The major problems are:- headshy, sharp horses who freak out big time at the swing and the sound of the ball. If you decide to go ahead, you need to be 100% certain that the horse is a placid, bombproof character. You also need to be reasonably proficient at polo since you only need to clunk the horse accidentally on the head with your stick and they may decide to ditch you for ever after.

Last but not least, polo ponies have in general a short working life. It's very demanding on their legs and backs and you may find yourself saddled with a 6 year old who just couldn't cope with polo and is now crippled and no good for anything. If I were your age, I would be looking for an older pony who has played low goal, who has been consistently sound and hasn't been hauled around and played to death by several different players, so preferably one owner (without meaning to be cynical, but some of the best ponies I ever had were sold on because of polo-related divorces..). If you are dead set on bringing one on yourself, I would get a 10-ish year old Pony club type horse and teach it to play polo. That way their legs have had a bit of work already and you don't have to cope with youngster type behaviour.

Long post, but hope that's helpful.

 

[Bounty]

I think you'd be mad!
There are plenty of polo schoolmaster types on Polo Times at the moment - why not look at them?

If you back and bring on this 4yo yourself then you will be looking at not playing it competitively until next season at the very least, if you want it to keep the right mentality and be physically strong enough to play - without taking this time to prepare it slowly and thoroughly it won't last you any amount of time before it breaks down.

IMO it is hard enough to back and bring on any youngster successfully - let alone with the added complications of stick and balling and the close proximity of the other ponies.

For what it is worth, my 3yo is being produced for polo/polocrosse. She will be lightly backed and ridden away this summer, turned away for the winter and then start stick and balling and learning some of the polo/polox specific moves next summer, and won't even participate in training chukkas until the following season (as a 5yo).


ETS: Welcome to the forum

 

[cazza]

Ours were broken for polo at 3 all were backed and broken with a mallett so are used to being ridden with them, and with the ball being struck. They were then turned away and are back in work this year as 4 year olds. They will each have a couple of low level games this year and then get turned away again. I can only recommend what the other people have said, you really should get it professionally schooled. There is alot that can go wrong at that age. Remember if it kicks out once at another pony on the pitch it will be a lifetime ban and then you are stuck with a pony you can't play.l

 

[madiz123]

the pony is £1000 and is a TB. I already have a 9yo polo pony who is brill so im not too worried about not having two ponies this summer, but i intend to get another pony for the next 3 years and it has to be sold (my parents dont want any horses left when i go to uni!). is it not a good idea to continue riding such a pony during the winter or should it be turned away and ridden again in the summer? It has literally just been backed.

also thanks so much for everyone replying, it has been REALLY helpful!!!! x

 

[Bounty]

I've always found that turning them away for a few months after they have been started always, without exception, improves their mentality, and allows their body to catch up with itself.
I think you would be better spending an extra 500 or so pounds (though you may be able to find something that is already going under saddle for £1000) and getting yourself a 5yo which has already been under saddle for a year and has seen a bit of the world - it will make all the difference!

 

[kit279]

I would be wary of a young TB if you've not had any experience with youngsters before and you'll really struggle to sell it on in 3 years if it starts playing up or being difficult. Polo ponies hold their value - buy something that knows its stuff, then you can sell it on. I always turn my ponies away for the winter - makes them a bit keener come summer season, otherwise they get a bit bored and sour. If you decide to buy this pony (and personally I wouldn't) get someone who know what they're doing to start it for you. Where are you based? I know a couple of people I could recommend in East Anglia area. Beware navicular as well, TB ponies are notorious for getting it, especially if you start them off too young.