Diet and Feed for a Polo Pony

Hay and Grains

Polo ponies require two types of feed, hay and grain, in proper amounts.

In nature, a wild horse will eat a diet consisting mainly of succulent forages. Numerous small meals containing large quantities of water, protein, fats, sugars, and fiber are eaten over a large portion of the day.

Daily Diet

A polo pony is given a wide variety of feeds in its daily diet ranging from hay products containing large quantities of fiber to grain mixtures containing large quantities of starch. A working polo pony will receive 2 or 3 large feedings each day.

All horses require hay to allow for normal activity of the digestive tract. Alfalfa Grass hay is typically fed to polo ponies because it is much higher in protein and calcium than other hays, such as Timothy or Orchard Grass.

The performance and temperament of a polo pony is affected by the quantity and quality of its diet. The physical appearance of a polo pony is the best indicator of under or overfeeding. Any changes to its diet should be made slowly over a 7 to 14 day period to prevent digestive upsets.