If you thrive in high-energy environments, becoming a groom for polo ponies could be the job for you. It’s a role that combines fast thinking, equine expertise, and often, the chance to travel the world with a string of elite equine athletes. But what does it involve?
Polo is an intense equestrian sport, and it’s not just the riders who need stamina—the ponies do too. A polo match can be divided into four, five or six chukkas, depending on the level of the game. Each chukka lasts 7 minutes, which may not sound long, but each chukka is an all-out sprint, requiring agility, power, and responsiveness from the horse.
Because of this, players switch ponies every chukka (sometimes more than once), meaning a professional player requires several ponies. That’s when the polo groom, comes in—keeping every pony ready for quick changes.
Between chukkas, there’s usually just 3 minutes to switch ponies. That’s barely enough time to catch your breath, let alone cool down one horse and prepare another. As a groom, you need to be very fast, organised, and calm under pressure. Tacking up has to be second nature. Every boot, bandage, and bridle needs to be in place—no room for error when seconds count.
Caring for polo ponies is a full-on, hands-on job, with early starts, and late finishes, it demands dedication. Polo ponies are athletes, and their care is all about keeping them fit, and agile. Grooms are responsible for everything from daily grooming and checking legs for any heat or swelling, to fine-tuning feed regimes and making sure each pony is tacked up and booted correctly for training and matches. Working in a polo yard typically means being part of a fast-moving, close-knit team. At the height of the season, there will be many ponies in work, with each groom responsible for a specific group. Days are filled with tacking up, schooling, exercising, veterinary care, and prepping for matches. It’s hard work, but it’s also a lifestyle—if you love horses and you thrive when things get busy, there’s no better feeling than being part of a polo team, helping ponies reach peak performance.
Top-level polo is a global sport. From the Argentinian Pampas to Dubai’s desert fields, Florida, Spain, and Windsor UK, polo ponies (and their grooms) travel far and wide. If you’re on the circuit, be prepared for long hauls, strict biosecurity rules, and airport lounges. It’s not uncommon for the ponies to fly business class and the grooms in economy class. International travel means extra logistics—import/export paperwork, vaccinations, quarantine requirements—but it also means the chance to see the world doing what you love.
Working as a polo groom demands more than just enthusiasm for horses. You’ll need:
But for the right person, it’s exhilarating. You’re not just a groom—you’re part of a high-performance polo team.
Being a polo pony groom isn’t your average 9–5. It’s high speed, high stakes, and highly rewarding for those with a love of horses and a taste for adventure. Whether you’re based at a local polo club or jetting off to Buenos Aires, you’ll be right at the heart of the action.
So if you’ve got the skills—and the stamina—this could be your gateway into a thrilling equestrian career.
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