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Polo pony injuries: player‐owner reported risk, perception, mitigation and risk factors
Author(s) -
Inness C. M.,
Morgan K. L.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/evj.12298
Subject(s) - medicine , odds ratio , risk factor , physical therapy , confidence interval
Summary Reasons for performing study Polo, one of the world's oldest sports, is unique in merging human skill and balance with animal agility and performance in a contact sport. These modern‐day ‘centaurs’ offer medical, dental and veterinary scientists an unrivalled, if quirky, opportunity to collaborate. Collection of epidemiological data on injuries to UK polo riders and ponies is the first step. Objectives To measure the reported risk and risk factors for injuries to UK polo ponies, their perception and mitigation by player‐owners. Study design A retrospective cohort design and telephone interviews were used. Methods Data on equine injuries, preseason training and risk perception were collected from a random sample of player‐owners using a structured questionnaire. Injuries were defined as requiring veterinary treatment. Frequencies were represented as percentages and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs ). Risk factors for injuries were identified by univariable and multivariable analyses. Results The cumulative incidence of player‐owner‐reported injury was 10.6% (95% CI 8.4–12.7). Tendon injuries were most common (4.3%; 95% CI 2.9–5.7), followed by wounds and splints. The only risk factor was stabling all season (odds ratio 4.79; 95% CI 1.46–15.73). Tendon injuries were perceived as the major risk and hard ground the most important risk factor. Risk mitigation practices were bandaging before exercise (45.7%; 95% CI 34.8–56.5), checking tendons (84.0%; 95% CI 76.0–91.9), cold hosing (40.7%; 95% CI 30.0–51.4), bandaging (38.3%; 95% CI 27.7–48.9) and using clays and coolants after exercise (24.7%; 15.3–34.1). Cuts and wounds were considered most frequent by only 2.5% (95% CI 0.0–3.6) of players but were the second most common injury, accounting for 21.6% of veterinary treatments. Splints accounted for 12.5% of injuries. Conclusions The risk of injury to polo ponies is similar to that in the general horse population; musculoskeletal injuries, particularly tendon injuries, are most common, followed by wounds and splints. The association between stabling and injury, risk factors for wounds and splints and efficacy of cooling tendons post exercise warrant further study.