# Player-Reported Perceptions of Lameness Risks and Contributing Factors for Polo Horses: Results from a Survey

## TL;DR

Polo players reported that older horses and certain breeds are more prone to lameness, while player experience affects how risks are perceived.

## Contribution

This study provides the first survey-based insights into lameness risk perceptions and contributing factors among polo players.

## Key findings

- Horse age increases lameness risk by 19.5% per year.
- Breed differences in lameness risk were observed.
- Poor ground conditions were the most cited cause of injury.

## Abstract

This study examined the health risks faced by polo horses by analysing the responses of 145 polo players to an international online survey. The focus was on how players perceive the risk of lameness and the factors that may influence its occurrence. The results revealed that the risk of lameness increased significantly with the horses’ age and varied between breeds. In contrast, factors relating to the players, such as their age, sex, playing experience and how they kept their horses, showed no significant effect. Interestingly, the perception of risk was only linked to the players’ handicap level: more experienced players with higher handicaps tended to rate the likelihood of injuries as lower. The most cited cause of injury was poor ground conditions, emphasising the importance of suitable playing surfaces for the welfare of horses. These insights emphasize the necessity of targeted preventive strategies and further research to enhance the health and wellbeing of polo horses.

Polo is an equestrian sport with a long tradition, but to date there is little scientific data on health risks, particularly lameness. In an international online survey, 145 polo players (47.6% female, 52.4% male) with an average of 13.4 years of playing experience were questioned about lameness risks and influencing factors. The respondents reported a median of six horses, most frequently mares as their best-performing and healthiest animals. Horse age was significantly associated with the risk of lameness, increasing by approximately 19.5% per year (OR = 1.195; p = 0.030) and differed depending on the breed of horse. Player-related variables such as age, sex, level of experience and type of husbandry had no significant influence. Risk perception was only associated with the handicap: players with a higher handicap rated the risk of injury as lower. Sex, age and horse ownership were not relevant. Unfavourable ground conditions were cited as the most common cause of injury (58.6%). The results show that players believe key predictors of lameness, in particular the age and breed of the horses, are objective factors, while subjective risk assessments are primarily influenced by the players’ level of experience. Further studies are necessary to improve horse health in polo and to enable preventive measures.