Giving Polo a better name! *long-sorry!*

[madiz123]

I posted some pictures in the PG a while ago and the topic of cruelty in polo came up. After some discussion, the main blame of the state of some of the polo ponies was blamed on the big polo yards.

I have just been on work experience at a big Polo Yard and found the horses to be treated very well. Even though there were 20 ponies between the 3 of us (!) there care was in no way compromised. The thing i found was that the Polo Ponies were all so placid and well behaved. Virtually none had quirks and even the ones with quirks weren't bad at all! The ponies who are at the yard all the time are a picture of health and very happy

There was also a some argentines with about 30 ponies of there own on the same yard, and to be honest their horses were absolutely stunning. They had an immaculate yard and very well kept and turned out horses. If anything, better than the lot i was looking after!

Also, a friend of mine is also on work experience at an even bigger yard. She has nothing to do with polo, and mostly hunts and does tets. She said she couldnt believe how well the horses behaved.

There were only 2 ponies that i saw that were in a bad condition. Same owner. But after a few days at our yard they soon perked up a bit

We had to be careful not to have them near the yard doors so that people wouldnt see them and think that all the horses are like this. It is sad that someone else's bad care of their horses should ruin a yards reputation.

Its not even as if the polo ponies are treated harshly to get them to behave. They are simply nice natured. Bred to be placid, not highly strung. No need for good looks which can compromise character, conformation and ability.

I think i have finished. I hope this sheds some light on the reality of polo and struggle to wipe the slate clean!

 

[Rocky715]

i'll back you up there - the horse i bought in January came from a big polo yard - he behaves extremely well and stands like an absolute angel on the yard even when things are going on around him. he is the most gentle horse i have ever met!! Now if he wasnt cared for very well throughout his life at the polo yard then i cannot imagine he would be the way he is!

 

[Bounty]

In some cases, yes, I agree with you.
But... I have rehomed enough ponies that have been physically and psychologically f*cked to know first hand that it is not always the case

 

[ajn1610]

We've have lots of Polo yards round us and their ponies all seem in good nick. I'm sure there are dodgy yards but that isn't exclusive to Polo. There is good and bad practice in every discipline. I've see things done on professional yards that you wouldn't believe. Unfortunately for some people it is all about the competition, for them the horses are just a means to an end and they do what ever it takes to get results.

 

[kit279]

Yes, I'd agree with you - a lot of polo ponies are lovely, well cared for and in great condition. My theory about why they're so reasonable is because they all live in a herd (you always need at least 2 ponies to play), they play very regularly, travel very regularly and once they've got used to the smacking noise when you hit a ball and the argy-bargy of the ride-off, nothing much else phases them! I do have mixed feelings though as the ponies I know have been broken young and have very short working lives, I've seen a lot retired at 6 and the turnover is very high. A lot of people's attitude is 'just get another one' and I think that's sad..

 

[Rana]

I've done 8 seasons as a polo groom, and would agree that there are good and bad yards. I've seen players who love their ponies to bits, don't thrash them, give them the best of everything. I've also seen hire ponies ridden into the ground, and a pony played with a fractured shoulder (buted to the eyeballs). I've known ponies on 6 bute a day and still playing. I've also seen (well known!) players in tears because their favourite pony is injured, and owners who throw thousands of pounds at their ponies, just to make sure they can have a good retirement.

On the other hand, I've also worked on livery yards, dressage, show jumping, and driving yards. The standard of care varies dramatically on these yards too, and I don't think "cruelty" is limited to any particular horse sport. Polo gets a particularly bad name because the sport itself can be rough, or at least look rough from the sidelines. That said, I've seen more injuries on horses coming in from the field than I have during a match.