Whoa~! Rein 'em in here and show your horse! 2026
- Thread starter MyBuddy
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LifeofRubie
Moderator
And missing the ball is part of learning 
And there for sure is a correct way to swing the mallet and no one was going totally gung ho to the point of being dangerous. I think teaching a horse to accept a stick flying in all directions and a ball under their feet while the rider is moving around all weird would be quite a task, too! The really excellent polo ponies learn to the chase the ball which just sounds like a big puppy that I love
And there for sure is a correct way to swing the mallet and no one was going totally gung ho to the point of being dangerous. I think teaching a horse to accept a stick flying in all directions and a ball under their feet while the rider is moving around all weird would be quite a task, too! The really excellent polo ponies learn to the chase the ball which just sounds like a big puppy that I love
She learned to fence also, so the fencing tools (not sure what they are called) are hanging with the polo mallets. I need to get her to dig out her old box of photos. She had Dobermans as a kid in the 1950's, so there's that too... I hung these from the ceiling in the tack room thinking we'd put them on the wall one day, but they've been up there collecting dust instead... They were a wild & woolly couple, married for over 30 years, I met them in 1975 and the stories are endless.
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@LifeofRubie that is so cool that you got to do that, hands on! 
You look great!
I've always worried about hitting the horses with the Mallet or the ball. Since I've really never watched a polo match and you have, have you ever seen that happen?
You look great! I've always worried about hitting the horses with the Mallet or the ball. Since I've really never watched a polo match and you have, have you ever seen that happen?
LifeofRubie
Moderator
@LifeofRubie that is so cool that you got to do that, hands on!
I've always worried about hitting the horses with the Mallet or the ball. Since I've really never watched a polo match and you have, have you ever seen that happen?
So Polo with professionals is FAST and the field of play is HUGE. I've not seen anything intentional or nefarious. Can't say I've seen a horse hit, hit with a mallet or ball to the point play needed to be stopped. Is there a chance? For sure. Risk with any sport, I suppose.
The mallet canes can be incredibly flexible, there are rules about the line of the ball and how to play it. All for horse and player safety!
When a player isn't actively engaged with the ball or hooking another players mallet as a defensive move, their mallet is supposed to be up
I will say, the ponies are incredibly brave, as well. My first class, I was worried about spooking the pony when I swung the mallet. Of course she didn't because she's a professional.
I'm certainly NOT an expert. Having sat on a polo pony and swung a mallet with other horses and riders around a couple of times, if the ball is too underneath you, there's no getting it; you do need some separation to be able to get to it and that seems to be enough of a breadth were incidental contact with your own horse would be challenging. I've been almost bit by a ball while spectating so being aware as a player or on the sideline is always important.
@Ravenbird I'd be curious what your friends experience is since she's been like... in it, in it!
@MyBuddy quick video of some incredible plays!
I did not know that but it's pretty interesting!
Oh, my, I didn't know they bend like that! Interesting!
Ah! Well, that makes sense and seems much safer!
Hmm, I can see that.
Oh yeah, I'll bet!!
That was awesome! Now I want to play!
It really looks like fun! 
One horse game that I never played but friends have, is Pickup. You ride around a ring and ride over to a buddy on the ground and pick them up onto your horse. Easier said than done! I only heard about it from friends and I always thought that would be fun! Of course, its a young person's game!
I'd never be able to do that now! But sometimes when I'm on my golf cart and drop something, I'll drive over to it without stopping, my hand on the wheel with my right hand and lean way over to the ground with my left hand and grab it in motion! Just for fun! 
My version of Pickup!! 
LifeofRubie
Moderator
Golf Cart, Horse... Same thing!
We used to have one called rescue race where one rider would circle around you full speed and you would grab the horn and swing up onto the back of the horse, in motion. The neighbor and I used to do really well with it but of course I was in my early 20's then too.
Sounds the same as our Pickup! And yes, you'd have to be in your twenties.
What breed of horse is usually used for polo ponies??
LifeofRubie
Moderator
I do believe there is a polo pony "breed" but it's not unusual to see TB, QH, or crosses therein out there. Our instructors baby horse that she was on was a 4 year old Argentinian Polo Pony! Athleticism and temperament is the main goal over breed makeup
That surprises me because they are usually very tall. I would think you'd want a shorter horse to play polo. Quarter horse would be a good one. Maybe they get a longer mallet if they're on a taller horse!
I'd have to google that, but I don't think there is a specific breed for polo. As you said, mostly TB's and QH's. I'm pretty sure the TB's outnumber the QH's.
The smaller horses are ideal because they are more nimble - the tall ones can't do the fast start/stops/turns as well.
Lighter QH's would be favored, the heavy muscled ones heat up fast.
This made me LOL - There are some really good Arabs out there, but I agree, polo would probably fry their brains. I always joked that they invented 100 mile rides to give them something to do.
LifeofRubie
Moderator
@Ravenbird I was also very surprised! From the interwebz and I wouldn't have know without asking about the instructors pony!
The Argentine Polo horse is a specialized breed developed for the sport, created by crossing the speed and athleticism of the Thoroughbred with the toughness, endurance, and good temperament of the native Criollo horse. This combination results in a horse with explosive speed, agility, and stamina, along with the muscular build and calm demeanor needed for the fast-paced, demanding nature of polo. They are known for their solid, athletic build, long neck, and powerful hindquarters, making them the world's premier polo pony.
The Argentine Polo horse is a specialized breed developed for the sport, created by crossing the speed and athleticism of the Thoroughbred with the toughness, endurance, and good temperament of the native Criollo horse. This combination results in a horse with explosive speed, agility, and stamina, along with the muscular build and calm demeanor needed for the fast-paced, demanding nature of polo. They are known for their solid, athletic build, long neck, and powerful hindquarters, making them the world's premier polo pony.
