Pioneering research by Hartpury University, in collaboration with UK charity Power of Polo, has explored how polo could help build confidence, communication skills and social connections among vulnerable young people.
The first academic study to investigate polo as a specific equine-assisted activity offers new insights into how horses, teamwork and participation in equestrian sport may support young people facing disadvantage and adversity.
Published in the academic journal Human-Animal Interactions, the research examined the experiences of 33 young people aged between 12 and 25 who participated in residential programmes delivered by Power of Polo between 2015 and 2019.
The study, titled The Power of Polo: An exploration of the effects of a novel polo-based residential intervention programme for vulnerable youth populations, identified three overarching themes: psychological benefits, social benefits and the distinctive experiences associated with polo itself.
Participants reported perceived improvements in confidence, self-perception, mindset, teamwork and communication, highlighting the potential of equestrian team sports to contribute to positive personal and social development.
The findings also revealed how relationships with horses, learning new skills, working towards shared goals and experiencing achievement in an unfamiliar sporting environment could combine to create meaningful experiences for young people.
The research reflects Hartpury University's commitment to applied research that addresses real-world challenges and advances understanding of the benefits of human-animal interactions.
While previous studies have explored the potential psychological and social benefits of equine-assisted activities, relatively little attention has been given to structured equestrian team sports such as polo.
By investigating participants' experiences of Power of Polo's residential programmes, Hartpury researchers have helped establish an academic foundation for further exploration of how this approach could support young people's wellbeing and development.
Dr Emma Davies, Senior Lecturer (Research) at Hartpury University, said: "We are delighted to see this research published. We know that horses and equestrian activities can offer wide-ranging physical, psychological and social benefits for participants, but there is a need for continued growth in the evidence base surrounding specific interventions.
"To our knowledge, the unique application of team-based equestrian sports, such as polo, within equine-assisted activities has received little research attention, making the work undertaken by Power of Polo particularly interesting.
"Collaborations between universities and charitable organisations are incredibly valuable in ensuring that research addresses real-world questions and generates evidence that can inform future practice and our understanding of the potential contribution of such activities.
"We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Power of Polo this year, working alongside our current postgraduate students to build on these initial findings and further explore participants' experiences and the longer-term outcomes of engagement in their programmes."
The study highlighted the importance of the relationship between participants and horses, with some young people describing how they overcame initial fears and developed trust through their interactions.
Others reported growing confidence as they learned new skills, tackled unfamiliar challenges and worked alongside teammates towards a programme tournament.
One participant reflected:
"I think the most important thing is psychological. It's giving me a sense of, I guess, self-esteem and confidence. I think that's the massive thing, my takeaway from polo."
Researchers also explored how participation influenced young people's perceptions of polo, a sport often associated with wealth, status and exclusivity.
Many participants initially viewed polo as an activity that was not accessible to them. However, their experiences of being welcomed into the polo community helped challenge those perceptions and foster a sense of inclusion and belonging.
These findings suggest that the combination of horse-human interaction, structured sporting activities and a supportive social environment may offer distinctive opportunities for personal development.
The project was developed in collaboration with Power of Polo, a UK charity that uses horses, polo and the wider polo community to create opportunities for people facing social, economic or health challenges.
The charity works alongside schools, charities and community organisations to make polo more accessible, drawing on the sport's horses, facilities, coaches and volunteers to deliver experiences that participants might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy.
Dr Katy Hayward, Founder of Power of Polo, said: "This publication is an incredibly important moment for Power of Polo. We have seen, for many years, what can happen when young people, horses, polo and an extraordinary new environment come together.
"It also challenges the way people think about polo and shows that a sport that can sometimes be perceived as exclusive can become an environment for inclusion, connection and achievement.
"We now want to continue building the evidence with Hartpury, strengthening the model and working with more charity and polo partners so that many more people and communities can experience what polo and the polo community can offer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the participants and partners who were involved in this research."
The research has also been welcomed by the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), the governing body for polo in the UK.
Anna Hall, CEO of the Hurlingham Polo Association, said: "We are absolutely delighted by this pioneering research, which for the first time demonstrates how polo can not only deliver real benefits in confidence, teamwork, and communication, but truly change lives for people who are new to it.
"We've long believed in the positive impact polo has on our members, and this paper gives us valuable evidence of its power to change the lives of others, too. Power of Polo is an important charity doing incredible and innovative work, and we're delighted to work with them to continue using polo as a sport for change."
The publication marks an important step in developing the evidence base surrounding polo as an equine-assisted activity, while creating opportunities for further collaborative research.
Hartpury University and Power of Polo are continuing their partnership, with postgraduate students contributing to further investigations into participants' experiences and the longer-term outcomes of engagement with the charity's programmes.
The collaboration demonstrates how Hartpury's research expertise and connections with industry and charitable organisations can help address important societal challenges, while advancing understanding of the role horses and equestrian activities can play in supporting human wellbeing.
Read the research: The Power of Polo: An exploration of the effects of a novel polo-based residential intervention programme for vulnerable youth populations
Listen to the podcast: Dr Emma Davies and Dr Katy Hayward discuss the research on the Human-Animal Interactions podcast
