Anuario Raza Polo Argentino Anuario2018 | Page 246

basic qualities that they must be able to pass
on, taking into account that the best selection
is according to aptitude, which their progeny
should display, and which in our case is,
naturally, the game of polo.
A) Correct conformation, because without
this all other attributes would become nil.
B) Size: we believe that the ideal size for polo
herd sires should be between 1.58 m to 1.60 m,
because their offspring will tend to reduce their
standing height as they will mostly be raised
outdoors.
C) Light head, with fine insertion into the
neck which will be of medium length and fine,
presenting us with an animal with the correct
head position when stopping.
D) Depth or wide girth, with good rib-cage,
not too wide in the chest because this hinders
easy management.
E) Back and loins: must not be too short,
since this produces more violent reactions on
the saddle, or too long which would make its
movements weak and slow.
F) Medium or small hooves do not cause
many difficulties when polo fields become
hard, and we believe that in general they are
more agile than those with large hooves.
Finally we recommend the immediate removal of
any mare or stallion whose get is not suitable for
the game.
2- BREAK-IN begins a few days after the foal
is born, being fondled and tethered until the
age of two years when it is mounted. Break-
in at an early age is very important, and also
that it be short: 5 or 6 months, so that the foal
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is then delivered into the hands of the groom
before the age of 3 years; teaching is easier
at an early age. Correct feeding is extremely
important during all the raising period so that it
may be able to bear the rigors of break-in and
the future effort without excessive sacrifices.
The first gallops are decided by the tamer, since
they have no bearing on the final result of the
process. During the first period the tamer will
use a gag tied around lower jaw and chops, after
which, almost immediately they will change to
a snaffle, a mouthpiece conceived in America
and very useful if used prudently. Some typical
bad habits by tamers which it is useful to know
in order to correct, are for example, the use of
a halter; leg shackling; mounting always on the
near side and grappling the mane, all of which
result in horses with a tendency to turn only
to one side: “crooked” horses. This is why it
is important that tamers should have grooming
knowledge, which will avoid incurring in these
effects during break-in.
3- TRAINING: The groom will be in charge of
training. He/she must teach the horse to stop;
change leads; move backwards. Practice with
a mallet so that it is not afraid of either mallet
or ball. We believe that with good break-in, this
stage is relatively short, since a good tamer
makes the work of the groom easier.
4- PLAY: The player mounting green ponies
must devote a certain amount of time to this;
must know about management and above all
show great command and energy, not forgiving
mistakes that may later become bad habits:
informal practice matches on small polo fields
are very useful, because these first matches are