Ponies and tack
Which ponies may play, what they must wear and may not wear, how they may be shod, and what happens when one is sent off, as each rulebook sets them. Each value is in the rulebook's own units; a figure marked converted is ours.
18 of 20 rows differ
| Fact | HPA UK | AAP Argentina | USPA USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pony height | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Any height | ||
| Pony blind in one eye Differs | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed, in one eye or both A pony in goggles or with signs of poor sight needs a vet's vision report filed with the USPA at least 24 hours before. Removing a pony under this rule earns its rider a red card. |
| Pony vicious or out of control | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA May not play | ||
| Bleeding pony Differs | May not play; if the bleeding is superficial and stops, it may return if the umpires agree | Not specified AAP 2026 r.3.1bchecked | The umpires may take it out Time is called at the next stoppage, with up to 5 minutes to clean the pony or change. If it keeps bleeding, it is sent off. |
| Lame or distressed pony Differs | May not play | Not specified AAP 2026 r.3.1bchecked | The umpires may take it out for the period or the whole game It may come back only if an umpire expressly allows it. |
| De-nerved pony, or open tracheotomy Differs | Not allowed | Not specified AAP 2026 r.3.1bchecked | Not specified USPA 2026 r.5echecked |
| Leg protection Differs | Bandages or boots on all four legs | Bandages on all four legs | Boots or bandages on the front legs; recommended behind |
| Tail put up Differs | Required | Not specified AAP 2026 r.3.2dchecked | Not specified USPA 2026 r.6cchecked |
| Blinkers Differs | Not allowed, nor any noseband or other kit that could block the pony's sight | Not allowed | Not allowed, nor shadow rolls |
| Hackamore or bitless bridle Differs | Not allowed; a club may allow it in practice chukkas | Not specified AAP 2026 r.3.2achecked | Not specified USPA 2026 r.6bchecked |
| Bit mouthpiece, at its thinnest Differs | at least 0.25 in (6.5 mm) | Not specified AAP 2026 r.3.2achecked | Not specified USPA 2026 r.6bchecked |
| Curb bit cheek or shank length Differs | at most 6 in (15.2 cm) Measured from where the bit meets the cheekpiece to the lowest rein position. | Not specified AAP 2026 r.3.2achecked | Not specified USPA 2026 r.6bchecked |
| Rimmed shoes Differs | Allowed, rim on the inside only | Allowed, rim on the inside only | An outer rim is not allowed |
| Studs (calks) Differs | Outside heel of hind shoes; under 0.5 in (13 mm), cube or hexagon A shoe with a stud needs a raised inside heel to balance it. Removable studs are strongly recommended. | Heel of hind shoes only, fixed or removable; no bigger than 2 cm³ | Dull calks on hind shoes only, fixed or screw-in; at most 1 in from shoe to ground Removable calks are recommended. An illegal shoe earns the player a red card. |
| Frost nails, screws and protruding nails Differs | Not allowed, nor road studs, spikes or sharp edges Up to two road nails per shoe are allowed for exercise on roads, away from the widest part of the shoe. | Protruding nails and screws not allowed | Screws, frost nails and toe grips not allowed |
| Shoe projecting beyond the hoof wall Differs | at most 5 mm ≈ 0.197 in converted | Not specified AAP 2026 r.3.2bchecked | Not specified USPA 2026 r.6achecked |
| Playing without shoes Differs | Allowed, with no shoes or no hind shoes If the pony is then out of control and a danger, the umpires should order it off. | Not specified AAP 2026 r.3.2bchecked | Not specified USPA 2026 r.6achecked |
| Pony change in the middle of a chukka Differs | Not specified | One change per chukka, one minute, in category B up to 14 goals | One courtesy change per period, one minute, in extreme heat if announced |
| Pony sent off Differs | Off until the breach is put right (Penalty 9a); play restarts once it is off | Off for the match or until the cause is removed; throw-in at once The AAP ties this penalty to rule 3.1b: blind, vicious or uncontrolled ponies. | Off for the rest of the game (Penalty 8); back once fixed if sent off under rule 5, 6a or 6b For illegal shoes the rulebook gives a red card in rule 6a, but forfeit in the note to Penalty 8. |
| Main responsibility for the pony's welfare Differs | The player, always; the umpires also during play | Not specified AAP 2026 r.23checked | The rider |
≈ marks a figure we converted; the rulebook gives only the other unit.