Caring for Polo Ponies in Winter

The weather is feeling a bit more wintery, the fields and yard are getting muddier and the days are getting much shorter. The season of resting, recovering and training begins.

Whether your polo ponies are enjoying some well-earned downtime following the busy summer, or they’re still working throughout the arena polo season, now’s a great time to give their care routine a bit of extra attention.

A lot of work goes into keeping polo ponies happy and healthy, especially during the colder months.  From maintaining their condition to looking after their hooves, here's how to keep your polo ponies feeling their best this winter.

Keep their coat in good condition

Pony’s coats will naturally thicken at this time of year, which is great for staying warm, but not really ideal for those still in training! For those still out playing arena polo, clipping can help prevent excessive sweating and make cooling down much easier. The type of clip you choose will depend on their workload and living conditions.

The right set of grooming clippers will make all the difference, particularly if you have several ponies to get through! Here at Emita, we stock a range of professional horse clippers and blades, including Heiniger and Lister. Not sure which to go for? Email us for advice: sales@emitapolo.com.

Everyday grooming is important too, as you know. A good brush is always worth having in your kit - giving you the chance to check for any cuts, rubs or changes in their condition. Shop dandy brushes here.

Clean their hooves

Ah, British winter. Where the ground is wet, muddy and dirty almost all of the time! All of this can take its toll on your pony’s hooves, so regular hoof picking is essential to remove packed mud and stones.

It's also worth checking in with your farrier to make sure their trimming or shoeing routine is suited to the season.

A good hoof dressing or ointment can also be a useful addition to your grooming kit, depending on your pony's hoof condition. 

 

Keep their energy up!

With the change of routine for polo ponies during the winter, some will enjoy a quiet few months, while others will be out training and competing still. Either way, their nutritional needs may well need to change, depending on their activity levels and daily life.

Keeping a close eye on their weight and body condition is particularly important when their thicker coats may hide some changes. So, for horses that need additional nutritional support, we advise Red Cell - a liquid supplement containing iron, vitamins and minerals to support normal metabolism.

Another great supplement for this time of year is Paddock Power - a self-fed horse lick that supplies a broad range of vitamins, minerals, protein, oils and essential nutrients. Enabling a healthy, balanced diet and good digestion, Paddock Power has low starch, and promotes strong hooves and a shiny coat.

Browse our range of horse supplements to see what you need to stock up on. Alternatively, speak to our expert team for more advice - sales@emitapolo.com. 

A little extra care always goes a long way

With the extra challenges winter brings to caring for your polo ponies, it’s always important to take more time to check your ponies’ condition, keep up with grooming and make sure they’re getting the right care for the months ahead.

Here at Emita Polo, we stock a wide range of horse care and yard essentials to help you look after your ponies all year round.

Need advice or looking for something specific? Get in touch with our team at sales@emitapolo.com. We're always happy to help!