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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Front / The player-pony dyad in Polo: lessons from other sports and ...
Animal frontiers : the review magazine of animal agriculture2022; 12(3); 54-58; doi: 10.1093/af/vfac003

The player-pony dyad in Polo: lessons from other sports and future directions.

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Publication Date: 2022-06-14 PubMed ID: 35711510PubMed Central: PMC9197297DOI: 10.1093/af/vfac003Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This article focuses on the importance of studying the interaction and relationship between horse and rider, specifically in the sport of Polo, and how better understanding can improve performance.

Study of Human-Horse Dyad

The relationship and interaction between human (athlete) and horse (pony in Polo) are foundational to all equestrian sports. Understanding this relationship is key to improving athletic performance, and this article calls for the assessment of this interaction through:

  • Quantitative methodologies such as biomechanics and veterinary science, which analyze the physical aspects of both horse and athlete.
  • Qualitative methodologies, including equine behaviour and sport psychology, which focus on the behaviours, feelings, and mental states of both participants.

The article emphasizes that both types of methodologies are necessary, and integrating them creates a more comprehensive understanding of the dyad. Athletes and coaches are encouraged to participate in this research process so that the findings are more applicable to the real sporting world.

Tacit Knowledge in Riding

Riding expertise isn’t just about knowing how to handle a horse, but also involves gaining personal experience and understanding over time. This acquisition of knowledge is experiential and may not be easily communicated, but it’s a crucial component when working with various types of horses.

The study of the dyad also involves understanding how horses communicate their experiences through their behaviors and changes in heart rate or heart rate variability. Meanwhile, riders verbalize the horse’s behavioural tendencies. But there’s a third language that describes the specific interaction when a human rides a horse, a language that is unique and primarily expressed through physical pressure signals.

Focus on Polo as an Ideal Sport for Studying Dyad

The article claims that Polo provides an excellent opportunity to examine this horse-human interaction. It then discusses how modern technologies can help assess performance objectively, which is particularly beneficial for both athletes and coaches. This objectivity removes bias, allowing for better understanding.

This advanced assessment technology can provide insights about performance adjustments, differences among horses, and to track trends over competitive seasons. The article underscores the opportunity to learn from other sports on assessment strategies and implementing evidence-informed practices. The author stresses the preference of using ‘player’ and ‘pony’ when talking about Polo and ‘athlete’ and ‘horse’ for other disciplines to respect the sports’ respective terminologies.

Cite This Article

APA
Best R. (2022). The player-pony dyad in Polo: lessons from other sports and future directions. Anim Front, 12(3), 54-58. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfac003

Publication

Animal frontiers : the review magazine of animal agriculture
ISSN: 2160-6064
NlmUniqueID: 101754918
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 3
Pages: 54-58

Researcher Affiliations

Best, Russ
  • Centre for Sport Science & Human Performance, Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton, New Zealand.

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This article includes 21 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Schumacher A, Gehlen H. Health of Polo Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 8;14(12).
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  2. Best R, Williams JM, Pearce J. The Physiological Requirements of and Nutritional Recommendations for Equestrian Riders. Nutrients 2023 Nov 30;15(23).
    doi: 10.3390/nu15234977pubmed: 38068833google scholar: lookup
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