Florida probes deaths of 21 polo ponies

MIAMI (Reuters) - Florida launched an investigation on Monday into the deaths of 21 polo ponies from a Venezuelan team competing at the U.S. Open Polo Championship.

The horses collapsed after appearing dizzy and disoriented as the Lechuza Caracas team prepared for an afternoon match on Sunday at the International Polo Club of Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida, officials said.

"Because of the very rapid onset of sickness and death, state officials suspect these deaths were a result of an adverse drug reaction or toxicity," Florida's Department of Agriculture said in a statement announcing its investigation.

"At this time there is no evidence that these horses were affected with an infectious or contagious disease," it said.

The horses were kept at the Lechuza Caracas equestrian facility near the polo grounds in Wellington, about 70 miles (113 km) north of Miami, and did not show any signs of illness on Sunday morning, officials said.

But when they were offloaded from trailers at the polo club, some had died and the others were "showing severe symptoms of depression, respiratory problems, incoordination and recumbency," the agriculture department said.

"It could be the water, hay, bedding, we just don't know," John Wash, president of club operations, told local media.

The Lechuza Caracas team is owned by millionaire Venezuelan banker Victor Vargas, who has been playing polo since he was 24, according to the North American Polo League's website. Vargas was re-elected president of the Venezuelan Banking Association in April.

His team withdrew from the championship following the deaths, the league said.