The basis of fitness for the polo pony is long slow distance work (LSD). After a period of turn-out, gradually increasing distance and speed over a course of 4-6 weeks allows time for the bones, muscles and cardiovascular system to accommodate exercise. However, in any group of horses, individual requirements will vary according to age, history of injuries, intended use, stabling situation, level of training, and incoming body condition score (BCS).
Typically, in legging-up mature trained horses who have access to turn-out, and are injury-free, I recommend starting with walking 1 hour for the first week. During weeks 2-4 trotting is added in the middle of the set in increments of 2-3 minutes until they are ideally doing a walk 25/trot 20/walk 25 set daily.This completes their LSD preparation, and may take longer or shorter time depending on circumstances.
Weeks 5 and 6 consist of starting to single the horse, which ideally should be a "chukker without a mallet," attempting to reproduce as much as possible what the horse will be asked to do when played in a game. Attention should be paid to straightness and symmetry, as well as changes of pace and direction. When the horse is able to gallop and turn thus for 5 minutes without blowing too hard then easy chukkers are introduced. Generally after 3 or 4 practice chukkers the horse is ready to play.
Once a polo pony is fit, they need very little cardiovascular work to maintain fitness. For example, if they are playing twice a week, most ponies do well with the remainder of exercise being LSD sets. The goal shifts to minimizing wear and tear--this is where LSD is so beneficial in maintaining strength and suppleness without overstressing the joints or overtaxing the physiological system.
Typically, in legging-up mature trained horses who have access to turn-out, and are injury-free, I recommend starting with walking 1 hour for the first week. During weeks 2-4 trotting is added in the middle of the set in increments of 2-3 minutes until they are ideally doing a walk 25/trot 20/walk 25 set daily.This completes their LSD preparation, and may take longer or shorter time depending on circumstances.
Weeks 5 and 6 consist of starting to single the horse, which ideally should be a "chukker without a mallet," attempting to reproduce as much as possible what the horse will be asked to do when played in a game. Attention should be paid to straightness and symmetry, as well as changes of pace and direction. When the horse is able to gallop and turn thus for 5 minutes without blowing too hard then easy chukkers are introduced. Generally after 3 or 4 practice chukkers the horse is ready to play.
Once a polo pony is fit, they need very little cardiovascular work to maintain fitness. For example, if they are playing twice a week, most ponies do well with the remainder of exercise being LSD sets. The goal shifts to minimizing wear and tear--this is where LSD is so beneficial in maintaining strength and suppleness without overstressing the joints or overtaxing the physiological system.
