"Argentine TB" ??

[Grace O'Malley]

This is a term I've been running across recently, particularly with reference to polo. My impression is that it refers to a particular line (or lines) of TBs bred specifically for polo, as opposed to, say, OTTBs trained to play polo.

Does anyone know what, if anything, differentiates an Argentine TB from other TBs? Does it only refer to TBs imported from Argentina? Or are these lines also bred (for polo) elsewhere (like the US or UK)?

Thanks for any thoughts :cool:

[Ms Kitty]

Yes, it is a term very often heard in the Polo circles and this means the horses are usually bred in Argentina (and then imported, though there are few bred elsewhere as well and still called this though they usually have Argentinian bloodlines in them) and are usually a mixed breed, most often Criollo x TB. They are very alike English TBs (temperament and speed) but usually chunkier and hardier physically. :) I would take an Argentinian TB over an English TB any day, so much easier to keep weight on!

This is my lease mare Ranchera, who is an Argetinian TB.

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/7489/img3604uw0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Hope that helped!

Nina x

[Grace O'Malley]

Oh yes, thanks! Exactly what I was wondering. Ranchera is adorable :D

I ran across the term on this entry (http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2007/10/and-question-of-day-is.html) on the "Fugly Horse of the Day" blog (these aren't fugly, they're her retired polo ponies), and it got me wondering about the possible history of mine:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/GraceOM/Morocha9_07035.jpg

I bought Morocha when she retired from a University polo club, and was told she had been donated to them from a polo string (don't know what level). I have no papers, but was told she's a TB. She does have a chunkier than the typical TB build, imo, but her head looks all TB to me. And of course she does have the intriguing Argentinian name ;):cool:

[Trio]

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j265/skeats30/munecoridden004.jpg

my new boys an argentine TB x criollo - he was imported from argentina in april last year and is bred for polo, although i havent played him yet. His polo name is Muneco!:D

[Ms Kitty]

Yours looks a lot like Ranchera, I wouldn't be at all suprised if she was Argentinian TB.

The Argentinian TBs do come with different amounts of Criollos in them. I'd say yours and Ranchera probably have more Criollo in them than Trio's lovely boy does! They have tested a lot of different combinations over there to get the perfect Polo pony, one that has the hardiness and agility of a Criollo, but who would still have the speed of a pure TB. So you end up getting lot of different looking horses under the title "Argentinian TB".

But they are great! :) I wouldn't mind a pure TB, but if I have the choice I think I will stick with Argetinians! :)

Nina x

[Grace O'Malley]

my new boys an argentine TB x criollo - he was imported from argentina in april last year and is bred for polo, although i havent played him yet. His polo name is Muneco!:D

He's adorable! Have a wonderful time playing polo with him :). I love to watch the game, but it's all a bit too fast and furious for an old lady like me :o:

[Grace O'Malley]

Yours looks a lot like Ranchera, I wouldn't be at all suprised if she was Argentinian TB.

The Argentinian TBs do come with different amounts of Criollos in them. I'd say yours and Ranchera probably have more Criollo in them than Trio's lovely boy does! They have tested a lot of different combinations over there to get the perfect Polo pony, one that has the hardiness and agility of a Criollo, but who would still have the speed of a pure TB. So you end up getting lot of different looking horses under the title "Argentinian TB".

But they are great! :) I wouldn't mind a pure TB, but if I have the choice I think I will stick with Argetinians! :)

Nina x

Interesting, thanks! I always suspected she spoke Spanish ;). She's a wonderful horse, and I love her to bits :D

Any websites or books you could recommend where I might learn more? I'm also interested in info about how polo ponies are trained.

Anyway, thanks for your help!

[Ms Kitty]

I don't have any spesific websites or books I could recommend unfortunately, as I have learned Polo in the hands on kind of way.. :o

I can tell you how we train our ponies though, if you want? I work at the yard where I play in, and have been bringing on YO's youngsters, so do know something about the training. Feel free to PM me! :)

And if you type "Polo, horse, training" or any other related keywords on google, you get loads of info. There are more books on the subject in the States as there are here, so you might able to find good books just by going to a big bookstore. :)

If you do find something nice, maybe you can recommend something to me! ;)

Nina x