Hi,

I have recently bought a stockhorse who (at 8 years old) has been trained for polo only.

I am hoping to do dressage with him and was just wondering if there was anyone else out there who could offer any advice/tips because I have never been involved with polo, and even riding him now I can see the huge differences that exist in training between the 2 sports.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Dear Kylie,
as I have not had any experience with Polo horses, I had to forward your question to another forum which I visit.
Here is an answer that I received on your behalf that might be helpful
(Thank you "Billybingbone" and CH forum)
"
As my first horse sports were polocrosse and then polo I want to answer your post. Polo ponies are trained out on the field with stick and ball and at great speed - we used thoroughbreds - where the emphasis is on chasing that ball, sudden twists and turns, then full gallop back onto that ball again. Of course emphasis too is on building up fitness and stamina. Though well fed on hot grain (like race horses) polo ponies tend to be 'light' on condition.
In changing that horse to another discipline first allow him/her to put on a lot more condition, thicken up. Then as they are trained to keep eye contact on that ball being chased - in re-training eg. dressage, I suggest at first and for a short period only, putting a white straight line on your work arena (like tennis court marking) and work your horse up and down that white line (each side of it of course). It wont take long and the re-training will begin. They are remarkably responsive animals and good learners.Note that the head carriage is going to be somewhat different, not to mention the collection etc. But you don't want your new horse to get confused in his new activity. Confusing him/her will only make a cranky horse!

All the best. For consolation and comfort just think of what the Mountie's achieve with the highest strung ex-race horses, albiet diet is greatly different. It is very rewarding."

Good luck