Polo
A ball sport played on horseback
Professionally played in 16 countries
Polo is a team sport played on horseback. The objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a long-handled mallet. The traditional sport of polo is played on a grass field up to 300 by 160 yards (270 by 150 m). Each polo team consists of four riders and their mounts.
The modern game lasts roughly two hours and is divided into periods called chukkas (occasionally rendered as "chukkers"). Polo is played professionally in 16 countries.
Working terrain
Grass
Rest place/daily stay
Stable
Horse characteristics
Mostly thoroughbred ponies, very active during a game but normally nice and gentle.
Horses behaviour
In general these horses are easy to handle due to their quiet character.
Shoeing location
Everywhere
Advice
Most important is a combination between grip and lightweight. A concave section and a crease running through the toe are perfect. It is recommended to place a stud on the outside heel of the hind shoes. The shoeing should be solid and tight, this is a high-energy sport. Pay special attention to the finishing, a good job prevents the risk of injuries to the horse's fellow players.
Tips
In many cases, a polo team want a farrier with employees, so he can meet with their planning and has a back-up.