Polo Polo Basics Polo Variants | Polo Variants |
Snow PoloAnother modern variant is snow polo, which is played either outdoor or indoor on snow on a frozen ground or ice. Each team generally consists of three players and also the equipment differs from the sport of polo.Polo started to be played in the ski stations since 1985. The ball used on snow is made of plastic and much larger than the wooden ball used on grass. That is to avoid the ball to disappear in snow. Polo on snow is slower and the field is smaller, horses are specially prepared to avoid problems.   Arena PoloArena Polo is played with three players per Team on a regulation size field 300 feet by 150 feet, enclosed by walls of four or more feet in height. The normal game consists of four chukkas/periods of seven and one-half minutes each. Riders change horses at the end of each chukka/period. Arena Polo does not require the large number of horses to play that Outdoor/Grass Polo demands. Many players use two horses, alternating horses each chukka/period. The Arena Polo ball is similar to a mini soccer ball, larger than the small hard plastic ball used outdoors. While the larger size gives the new player confidence in learning to hit the ball, proper technique is necessary because the arena game is played on a dirt surface with the ball bouncing on the uneven surface and off the arena wall.
Arena Polo is extremely exciting, with many changes in direction, fast action and a great spectator sport. Arena Polo can be an excellent introduction to polo and many of the players start in the Arena. With a qualified instructor, a new player can quickly learn proper hitting techniques and improve riding skills. With the constant change of direction of play in the arena, the player learns to recognize and properly enter the line and right of way, change from offense to defense and the need for team play. By playing in a confined arena, players feel more secure and with the ball rebounding off the arena walls, a player has more opportunities to hit the ball. Horses, while moving with quick bursts of speed, are more under control. Players are taught proper team play, how to hit a pass to teammates, and to learn to anticipate opponent's plays and strategies.
  Other variantsOther variants include elephant polo, bike polo. These sports are considered as separate sports because of the differences in the composition of teams, equipment, rules, game facilities etc.
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