Polo ponies can vary in size and height, and next to a player's skill, the polo pony is the most important factor in a polo match. Find out how polo demands horses that are both athletic and intelligent with help from the secretary of a polo club in this free video on polo ponies.
Good afternoon, I'm Cyrus Confectioner; Secretary of the Calcutta Polo Club, one of the oldest Polo institutions in the world. I'm now going to tell you about the Polo ponies; one of the most important aspects of the game. Polo ponies can vary in size and height. Next to a player's skill, the Polo pony is the most important factor in a Polo match and at many times it is the single greatest determinant of the outcome of a game also. The equestrian sport of Polo demands quick buzz of speed seen in thoroughbred horses; the complexity and strategy of the match requires the intelligence of an Arabian horse and the rapid turn of play in pursuit of collecting different ball necessitates the agility of quarter horses. The main thing is that they must be very quick and another very peculiar aspect to which the experts look into is the size of the neck. A particular size of the neck indicates a good Polo pony. These Polo ponies are chosen very carefully after taking a lot of factors into consideration. Vigorous training is given to these ponies because if you will sit for seven and a half minutes per chukka on this huge field; 200 X 160 yards; Polo pony sometimes move non-stop and therefore has to have lot of stamina, lot of strength and endurance. One very important aspect is that the Polo ponies get very tired due to the fast-pace and huge space they need to cover during the game. So at the end of each chukka, the players are allowed to change the horses and take new fresh Polo ponies for the next quarter. Although the term pony is purely traditional and the mount is actually a full size horse, these range from 14 to 16 hands height at the widest; that is one hand equals around ten centimeters and weighs between 900 to around 1100 pounds. The temperament of the horse is very critical. It must remain responsive under pressure and not become excited or difficult to control. The Polo pony and his rider also build up a certain affinity and affection towards each other which enables them ability to, you know, interact with each other while the game is going on. And this is very important aspect. Polo ponies are looked after which, with much love and care by the Polo Fraternity all over the world. Thank you.
