Buying a Polo Pony
How to buy a polo pony — what to look for, price ranges by skill level, pre-purchase vetting (always recommended), where to buy, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Pre-purchase veterinary examination is strongly recommended for any horse purchase. World Polo Guide does not provide veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified equine veterinarian for health assessments before purchasing any polo pony.
Price Ranges by Playing Level
Polo pony prices vary widely by level of schooling, age, breeding, and market conditions. These ranges provide approximate benchmarks — individual ponies may fall outside these ranges.
Beginner / Schoolmaster
$5,000 – $15,000
Older, calm, well-schooled. Knows the game. Safe and forgiving for inexperienced players. Typically 10+ years old.
Best for: First-time polo pony owners, beginners stepping into ownership
Club / Low-Goal
$15,000 – $35,000
Sound, athletic, good schooling. Competes at club level without issues. Typically 8–14 years old.
Best for: Established club players, intermediate level
Medium-Goal
$35,000 – $80,000
Well-bred, fast, excellent rein work and stops. Tournament quality. Often Argentine Thoroughbred cross from reputable breeders.
Best for: Serious competitive players, medium-goal tournaments
High-Goal
$80,000 – $200,000+
Elite performance. Exceptional genetics, schooling, and track record at major tournaments. Often bought from professionals or specialist dealers.
Best for: Professional-level play, sponsored teams, serious high-goal patrons
Evaluation Checklist
Use this checklist when evaluating any polo pony for purchase. Do not skip steps under time pressure.
Watch the pony being ridden
Ask to see the pony ridden by its current rider before you ride it. Observe its pace, stops, turns, and behaviour. Watch it play or school on a ball if possible.
Ride the pony yourself
Once you have watched it ridden, ride it yourself at walk, trot, canter, and where safe, at polo pace. Test the stops, turns, and response to aids.
Check its temperament in the yard
Observe the pony being handled — during tacking up, being led, and when other horses are around. Barn manners matter; a difficult pony to handle is a safety concern.
Independent veterinary examination
This is the single most important step. Commission a pre-purchase examination by a veterinarian who is independent of the seller. This should include flexion tests, full physical assessment, and relevant X-rays. Never skip this step.
Review health records
Ask for vaccination records, worming history, dental records, and any previous veterinary treatment. A reputable seller will have these available.
Ask about the pony's history
How long has the current owner had it? What tournaments has it played? Has it had any injuries? Why is it being sold? Sellers who are evasive about history should prompt caution.
Check the bridle fit and tack
Make sure tack fits correctly during your trial. An ill-fitting bit or bridle can mask behaviour problems that would appear with correctly fitted equipment.
Where to Find Polo Ponies for Sale
Different sources suit different buyers. Each has advantages and important cautions.
Polo clubs and yards
Advantages
Direct access to ponies being played regularly. Club members often know the history. Word of mouth is reliable.
Considerations
Selection limited to what's currently for sale locally.
Argentine polo dealers
Advantages
Largest selection of polo-bred horses globally. Professional dealers with established reputations. Wide price range.
Considerations
Import costs and quarantine. Cannot ride before import. Must rely on video evaluation and trusted agents.
Online polo marketplace sites
Advantages
Wide reach. Ponies from multiple countries. Easy to filter by price and level.
Considerations
Due diligence harder remotely. Photography and video can mislead. Always visit before buying.
Polo auctions
Advantages
Opportunity for competitive pricing. Some prestigious auctions offer high-quality animals.
Considerations
Limited opportunity for thorough pre-purchase evaluation. Not recommended for first-time buyers.
Professional players' strings
Advantages
Best-quality horses. Known training and playing history at highest level.
Considerations
Premium pricing. May be too advanced for lower-handicap players.
Common Buying Pitfalls
These mistakes are commonly made by first-time polo pony buyers and sometimes by experienced players. Forewarned is forearmed.
Skipping the vet check
The most common and costly mistake. Horses with hidden lameness, heart conditions, or structural issues sell at full price to buyers who skip the examination.
Buying at the wrong level
Buying a pony above your playing level is a safety risk and a waste of money. Conversely, buying too cheap for your ambitions means selling again quickly.
Trusting verbal assurances without verification
Claims about a pony's abilities, health, or history should be verified — either through records or independent professional assessment.
Rushing the decision
Good ponies sell quickly, but a rushed decision rarely turns out well. If a seller pressures you into a quick decision without reasonable time for due diligence, reconsider.
Not trying the pony in polo conditions
A pony may behave perfectly at walk and trot but differently when a mallet swings near it or it is near other horses at speed. If possible, watch or participate in a practice chukka.
Track your polo journey
Log lessons, monitor skill development, and celebrate milestones as you progress from beginner to competitor.
Buying a Polo Pony FAQs
Common questions about purchasing polo ponies
Continue Exploring
Polo Ponies Guide
Complete polo ponies overview
Horse Budget Calculator
Estimate your total polo pony budget before buying
Polo Pony Breeds
Thoroughbred cross, Criollo, and Polo Argentino genetics
Polo Pony Care
Daily care and management after you own a polo pony
Cost of Owning Polo Ponies
Full annual running cost breakdown after purchase
Last updated: May 2026