| There's no one breed that's known as a "polo | | | | After that, you're going to want to ride the |
| pony", but many that make fine polo ponies. | | | | horse, just to get a feel of it. Truthfully, you |
| What makes a good polo pony? You want a | | | | should ride more than one horse for comparison. |
| horse that's strong and can run all day. It needs | | | | In this case, since it's going to be your pony, you |
| speed and great balance. It's an alert horse with | | | | can't have an expert help you with it. Some horse |
| bright eyes, elastic skin, and a coat that's lustrous. | | | | dealers will let you experience riding the horse you |
| It needs to be a bold type of horse also, yet still | | | | think you're deciding on for up to a week to see |
| able to be managed and trained, since polo is a | | | | if you're really comfortable with it. |
| sport that requires quick reflexes and the ability | | | | Next, you want to have your horse examined by |
| to be controlled. | | | | a doctor of your choosing. Every reputable dealer |
| Although any type of horse might be a great | | | | will allow this, and if one doesn't, go to another |
| candidate, some horses are better suited for polo | | | | dealer. They will check everything from |
| than others. The most popular is the Argentina | | | | musculature to teeth, joints and limbs. They will |
| polo pony, also known as the Criollo. That's kind of | | | | also determine the true age of the horse, and |
| a misnomer, as the Criollo was crossbred with | | | | probably take blood samples to make sure the |
| Thoroughbreds to become its own species of | | | | horse hasn't been chemically enhanced or altered. |
| horse known as the Argentina. Actually, they're | | | | Finally, it's time to talk about costs. Polo ponies |
| crossbred twice with Thoroughbreds; the second | | | | aren't cheap; not only that, but you can't just buy |
| time after the first mix of horse becomes | | | | one horse, especially if you're hoping to play in |
| available. This horse is strong, has great | | | | tournaments. Horses generally range from |
| endurance, but has a shorter stride than the | | | | $15,000 to $35,000 each, but some horses can |
| Thoroughbred, which gives it the ability to turn on | | | | cost way more depending on breeding. This isn't |
| a dime and maintain its balance. It also seems to | | | | bowling or golf, that's for sure. And that's only the |
| love polo, as it can run all day. | | | | cost of the horse. You have to think about other |
| The first thing recommended in buying a polo | | | | expenses for polo, such as what you're going to |
| pony is buying one with experience. Unless you're | | | | wear, where you're going to board the house, |
| a trainer, it can take you years to get one up to | | | | trainers for the horse, feeding your horse, etc. If |
| speed for what you want to do. Some horses | | | | you're looking to grow with your horse, training is |
| literally are trained at least six years before they | | | | estimated between $7,500 and $15,000 a year, |
| enter a game. | | | | which you can avoid by purchasing an older, more |
| The second thing you want to do is see a horse | | | | experienced horse. |
| run. You want a horse with speed, as well as a | | | | Polo can be a lot of fun, but, at the prices above, |
| horse that can stop suddenly and make sharp | | | | it's no wonder that it's a sport for wealthy people. |
| turns. If the people you're buying the horse from | | | | That doesn't mean you can't purchase a polo |
| don't have someone who can ride it for you, try | | | | pony or four; it just means that you may have |
| to find an experienced polo player and let them | | | | to break your piggy bank open and hope for a |
| ride for you. It's hard to gauge how fast a horse | | | | genie to keep your coffers full. |
| is going if you're already sitting on it. | | | | |