Editing Polo (section)

== Polo ponies ==
{{Main|Polo pony}}{{See also|Argentine polo (horse breed)}}[[File:Polo ponies in Switzerland.jpg|thumb|left|Polo ponies waiting for the game to begin]]

The mounts used are called 'polo ponies', although the term [[pony]] is purely traditional and the mount is actually a full-sized horse. They range from {{hands|14.2|to|16}} high at the [[withers]], and weigh {{convert|900|to|1100|lb}}. The polo pony is selected carefully for quick bursts of speed, stamina, agility and manoeuvrability. Temperament is critical; the horse must remain responsive under pressure and not become excited or difficult to control. Many are [[Thoroughbreds]] or Thoroughbred crosses. They are trained to be handled with one hand on the [[reins]], and to respond to the rider's leg and weight cues for moving forward, turning and stopping. A well trained horse will carry its rider smoothly and swiftly to the ball and can account for 60 to 75 percent of the player's skill and net worth to their team.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Henry |first1=Miles |title=What Horses Are Used For Polo? 4 Popular Polo Pony Breeds. |url=https://horseracingsense.com/what-horses-are-used-for-polo-4-pony-breeds/ |website=Horse Racing Sense |date=3 March 2021 |access-date=11 August 2022 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706190236/https://horseracingsense.com/what-horses-are-used-for-polo-4-pony-breeds/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Polo pony training generally begins at age 3 and lasts from about 6 months to 2 years. Most horses reach full physical maturity at about age 5, and ponies are at their peak of athleticism and training at around age 6 or 7. However, without any accidents, polo ponies may have the ability to play until they are 18 to 20 years of age.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-07 |title=Polo - Team Sport, Mallet, Horsemanship {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/polo/The-game |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

Each player must have more than one horse, to allow for tired mounts to be replaced by fresh ones between or even during chukkas. A player's "string" of polo ponies may number two or three in Low Goal matches (with ponies being rested for at least a chukka before reuse), four or more for Medium Goal matches (at least one per chukka), and even more for the highest levels of competition.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}