Tell me about ex polo ponies

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CazD

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A fairly novice friend has told me she has been offered an ex polo pony and is thinking of taking it on (for riding, not as a companion). I know nothing about the pony, or polo ponies in general but am concerned that this may be the equivalent of taking on an ex racer! Comments and advice please .
 
As with all horses it will depend very much on the individual to be honest. I have worked for several years with polo ponies and they varied enormously in character and breed.
Many are tb's off the track but reschooled for polo. Many are very straight forward and easy, some are very hot and difficult! The other main breed in polo is Argentine, again a lot of easy some are proper monkeys'.
Polo ponies are taught to light up and gallop, stop, turn etc for 7 minutes at a time and then to switch off completely. They are generally very responsive to ride but if you are not used to something like that they could,probably be a bit worrying. They have a nice easy canter and will neck rein easily. You use your legs to stop which can take a bit of adjusting to!
I have had several that have retired and have loved them, some have jumped, some have hunted and others have just pootled about. They are usually very versatile and kind.
 
I have two experiences with polo/ex-polo ponies. One was an absolute gem to ride, extremely well behaved but came from a very very experienced horsewoman and was ridden, and schooled daily. The other was a polo pony bought by a very naive and inexperienced girl, the pony wasn't ridden enough and soon turned into a ticking time bomb, rearing dangerously when turning out and was a nightmare to ride, even braking her owners collarbone in the process before being sold at a rock bottom price (but is now doing very well in a more experienced home). I really do think you are correct in your thinking, they are horses that are used to very strict routines and being worked hard constantly, a change to a more sedate life does not always agree with them. Obviously every horse is different as is every owner, but for a novice I think I would advise to stay away. I have seen what happens when a novice tries to play happy ponies with one and it was just dangerous, but in the hands of an experienced horse owner they can be absolutely wonderful.
 
I had one here on livery, bought for a novice owner and fitted that bill perfectly, was one of the easiest horses. But like any horse they can learn to push boundaries - does she plan to keep it somewhere she will have help?
 
I have one. She is Crillo x tb. She is currently a bit of a monkey on thr ground (has ulcers currently being treated), but to ride she is a dream. She is chilled, will go hell for leather if you want but also will do a lovely slow canter. Its a type i really really like and would never hesitate in taking on another. However I also know someone with an ex hi goal pony and she is a nightmare, they are all individuals at the end of the day. If your friend gets lucky she will be fine, as long as she understands the aids polo ponies respond to!!
 
Haphazardhacker said:
If your friend gets lucky she will be fine, as long as she understands the aids polo ponies respond to!!
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Do they respond to different aids to "normal" ponies? My friend has gone against my advice regarding other ponies which she has then got rid off as they are deemed "unsuitable" so I suspect she wont listen this time either. Mostly I think the "unsuitability" comes down to her lack of experience and probably tack fitting issues. I fully expect the ex polo pony to turn up very shortly!
 
I have one - Italian bred, probably CrilloxTB, bought for meat money from someone who did the same to avoid him going through the sales - I had had a a fairly monumental loss of confidence and my lad is absolutely fantastic, I love the bones of him. Never going to set the world alight, and not terribly brave, but not a bad bone in his body and can be ridden every day, or go for two months without coming out of his field without any change in his way of going. He loves a blast, but will pootle along on a loose rein, will go first or last. I found that initially he responded better to neck reining, but soon adapted to more conventional aids ......
 
Pip is an Ex Polo Pony and she does have many good qualities! She loads and travels impeccably, she's seen a lot and is as near to 100% bombproof as they come (you can't find a much better horse to hack!). You can wave things around her, dress her up, she's pretty sensible most of the time.
However, she's quirky to ride...
She's VERY sharp, and equally strong (but the brakes coming from you legs sort of counteract that). She's ready to 'go' at any given moment, neck reins perfectly but doesn't turn to easily from 'normal' aids, she can turn on a sixpence but cannot bend... In either direction. If your planning to ride with others all I can say is 'hold on tight!'
Two years on, and two years worth of re-schooling she's just starting to ride a little bit like a normal horse!
On top of the ridden problems she's spent 12yrs in very close proximity to other horses has be stabled for the majority of her life and spent a great deal of time very fit. She's incredibly stressy, box walks, paces, calls etc. has severe separation anxiety, is a little aggressive, is a very fussy feeder, and her legs are not exactly what you'd call clean... In fact you can see the wear and tear from a mile away.
Having said this she is the most rewarding, loving, best friend of a pony you could ask for, for all the downs there are some fantastic ups, and I wouldn't change her for the world!
My friend has one as well, and while the ridden quirks are similar if alot less severe (he was re-schooled prior to her buying him), hes a real popet!
As a general rule I wouldn't recommend one for a novice but each individual is different so chances are the horse may be just fine for her!

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They can be fab all rounders but vary as much as ex-racehorses. Find out why it's now an ex-polo pony, too slow? Unstoppable for even the biggest bloke?

They're trained a different way so will react a different way (when you learn to play, it's almost alien at first if you've already ridden) and does take some understanding.
 
I used to have an ex national champion polo pony. She was an absolute sweetheart. Very light and responsive to ride. I taught my friend to ride on her, and she was perfect at the job, because she wasn't the typical novice type dead to the legs and bit sort. My friend learnt to ride in a gentle manner and had lovely light aids. I miss that pony so so much.
 
My friend had an ex polo pony and he was absolutely perfect to hack out and handle. She found him difficult to replace! She wasn't a novice though and had worked at a polo yard and exercised them as a teenager so was familiar with the aids etc.
 
I have a ex polo girl. Very laid back & great to ride (just hack) but as soon as something gets her adrenaline up - she is very sharp & can be naughty hash. I hand included. Got a mean rear on her. However; bravest & most honest horse I've ever sat one. Not scared of anything on her own; but Feds off other horses in company. Hack alone/company used to hunt & turn around go home mid gallop. Took a long time to get her to understand English riding when we were doing things like dressage. But as 13 she is semi retired due to arthritis & bone cysts - probably related to polo
 
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