This video outlines what you should be looking for when buying a polo pony.
Checks When Buying A Polo Pony
Transcription:
What should I check for when buying a polo pony? Okay. So, if I'm looking at buying a polo pony, number one, obviously I'm looking to make sure that it's medically sound.
But also it depends what level you're playing at, because sometimes horses have what they call little wind halls or something like that in the front legs, that kind of stuff.
You know, if you buying a eight to nine year old horse, it might have a few of those little blemishes, but what you really need to know is, is that horse playing every weekend because that's your best veterinary check. Okay.
So, from a veterinary side, definitely have a checked out like that. But remember that the vets have to cover themselves because if they don't give you the information, and then that horse is lame because of that, then you're going to hold them accountable. But do be a little bit pragmatic with the information you're given.
If that horse is playing every weekend and it's got a little bit of a wind hall, or something like that, then I would overlook that to be honest, depends if I'm buying a R200,000 horse, you know, a $20,000 horse, then I really, it's gotta be a five or six year old without any of that. I'm going to really, really pay attention to the vet checks.
But if I'm a minus two or minus one was zero, go play and I'm buying a, a school master horse. You expect it to have a little bit of wear and tear. So, from a medical side, that, that's my advice on that.
But the biggest thing is buying horses that suit you. You know, don't go buying, you're told, Oh, this is a high goal horse that has got a bit old, and you find that they're selling it because it's cooked, you know, you're get it on the field and it's a crazy bastard. You can't ride it.
So, buy easy horses that give you plays on the ball. That it's easy to play them. That's my biggest thing is, match your ability level to the horse that you're buying. And that would be my number one advice to anybody that's buying a horse.
And also just remember also when you're buying, if you know the person you're buying from, that's great. If you don't try and get the horse on a week's trial, because sometimes you go, and ride it for one day, and you have to make a decision there.
I'd never buy a horse like that. Cause I can work a horse until it's absolutely calm as anything by just overworking it before five days before you come and try it. And you think it's a very nice, simple, easy horse. You take it home, give it three days rest, and it's a totally crazy mad animal, you know?
So, if you can take it home, feed it like you're going to feed it, and then try the horse over three or four days, that will give you a really good idea of what you're buying. So, just be a little bit careful when you're buying horses.
Number one, I'm looking at, you know, is it calm, and quiet, and easy? That's my first thing. Secondly, I would look at the vet check. And thirdly, is it at the level I can play it? Then, you know, after that, you know, you're looking at, if you're getting really fussy, you're gonna look at all the kind of confirmation and all of that.
But number one, does it have brakes? Does it have a good mouth? And is it calm and easy? That for me is my number one criteria. And if it passes those tests, then I'm looking at the vet checks and everything else.
But I will not buy a horse that I haven't been able to try and know that it fits me. Okay. So, that would be my answer to that.
