The sport originated in Argentina in early 1700. It was outlawed in 1790 due to high mortality among players. In 1941 the Federacion Argentina de Pato was created. In 1953 was declared as Argentina national game. The name of the game "pato" derives from the use of a live duck instead of the six-handled ball. The game as its known today, including the use of a ball instead of an animal, was defined in the 1930. It gained success and has spread across Europe and overseas. The International Horseball Federation has eleven members including three outside of Europe: Brazil, Israel, and the Cayman Islands.