Polo Pony Care Guide
Polo pony care essentials — daily routines, nutrition, fitness regimes, stable management, and seasonal care. For medical decisions, always consult your equine vet.
This guide provides general information only. For all medical, veterinary, nutritional, and health decisions relating to your polo ponies, always consult a qualified equine veterinarian. Individual horses have individual needs. World Polo Guide does not provide veterinary advice.
Daily Care Routine
A consistent daily routine is fundamental to polo pony welfare and performance. Ponies thrive on routine — changes cause stress that can affect health and behaviour.
Morning
- Fresh water check — ponies drink 30–50 litres per day
- First feed of the day
- Mucking out and stable bedding refresh
- Visual health check — observe demeanour, appetite, droppings
- Leg check — run hands down each leg feeling for heat, swelling, or sensitivity
Pre-exercise
- Grooming — remove mud and dried sweat
- Check feet and pick out hooves
- Check and apply polo bandages or boots
- Tack fitting check
- Warm-up on the lunge or at slow pace before polo work
Post-exercise
- Cool-down walk — never stable a hot, sweating pony directly
- Wash down legs and body in warm weather
- Check for cuts, swellings, or heat in legs
- Remove tack and check saddle contact areas for sores
- Feed and water when heart rate has returned to normal
Evening
- Final feed
- Water check
- Hay/forage provision for overnight
- Quick visual check — ensure pony is comfortable and settled
- Check rugs or blankets are appropriate for overnight temperatures
Nutrition Basics
Polo ponies in hard work have high nutritional demands. Diet should be designed with professional input, tailored to the individual pony, workload, and climate.
Consult your equine vet or a qualified equine nutritionist for dietary recommendations specific to your horses.
Forage (hay/grass)
The foundation of any horse's diet. Polo ponies should have access to good quality hay or pasture. Forage should make up the majority of the diet by volume. Never restrict forage below 1.5% of bodyweight per day.
Hard feed / concentrates
Polo ponies in work require additional energy beyond what forage provides. Feeds are typically grain-based with added vitamins and minerals. The amount depends on the workload, the individual pony's metabolism, and the quality of forage available.
Supplements
Many polo players use electrolyte supplements during intensive training and tournament periods — particularly in hot climates. Joint supplements are commonly added for older or hard-working ponies. Always consult your equine vet before starting any supplement programme.
Water
Fresh, clean water must be available at all times. Polo ponies in work in warm climates can drink 50–80+ litres per day. Dehydration is a serious performance and welfare concern.
Feeding timing
Horses are trickle feeders — their digestive systems are designed for small, frequent meals. Long periods without forage can cause digestive problems. Feed at consistent times; avoid exercising immediately after feeding.
Fitness & Conditioning
Polo ponies require systematic fitness preparation. Rushing conditioning increases injury risk. A structured approach to fitness development is standard practice.
Pre-season conditioning (6–8 weeks)
Gradual build-up from rest. Long, slow distance work — walking and trotting. Develops cardiovascular fitness and leg strength without the stress of fast work. Essential to prepare tendons and ligaments for polo work.
Schooling and mallet work (ongoing)
Polo-specific schooling — stops, turns, sideways movement, and responsiveness to the rider. Introduce ball and mallet work gradually. Builds the specific muscle memory and responsiveness polo ponies need.
Practice chukkas
Controlled practice chukkas where the pony plays at polo pace but without the intensity of competitive matches. Builds match fitness and confirms schooling under realistic conditions.
Tournament play
Competition demands peak fitness. Ponies play one chukka typically, then rest before possible replay. Well-conditioned ponies recover rapidly between chukkas.
Post-season rest
Ponies need rest after a demanding season. A period of light work or turnout allows physical and mental recovery. The length of the rest period depends on the intensity of the season.
Seasonal Care Adjustments
Care requirements change with the seasons. Anticipating seasonal needs keeps ponies healthy and comfortable through the year.
Summer / Hot Climate
Winter / Cold Climate
Pre-season (transition)
Post-season (rest)
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Last updated: May 2026