The Horses
Polo mounts are called “ponies,” although the term “pony” is traditional and the mount is actually a full-sized horse. They range from 14.2 to 16 hands (58 to 64 inches) high at the withers, and weigh 900–1,100 pounds. The polo pony is selected 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. They are trained to be handled with one hand on the reins, and to respond to the rider's leg and weight cues. A well-trained polo pony accounts for a great amount of the player's net worth to his team.
Polo players must have more than one pony, so tired mounts can be exchanged between or even during chukkas. A player's "string" of 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.