Rule 23 · HPA Blue Book 2026
Injured, tired or fallen pony, lost shoe
How play stops and restarts when a pony is injured, distressed, tired, falls or loses a shoe, with the player always first responsible for the pony.
INJURED, DISTRESSED, FALLEN OR FATIGUED PONY OR LOST SHOE. The umpires have a responsibility during play for pony welfare, but the primary responsibility lies with the player at all times.
During a break in play, or exceptionally during play, a player may inform the umpires that their pony is injured or distressed, or the umpires may make their own assessment to this effect. In both cases, they should stop play immediately and examine the pony. If in their opinion:
The pony is visibly injured or distressed they should call “all may change”. The pony in question must be led off the field or taken off by horse ambulance. Play will be restarted from where the ball was when the player with the injured pony has returned on another pony.
The pony is not visibly injured or distressed, but is fatigued, they should instruct the player to change by leading the pony off the field by the shortest route and then to a changing box or area. No other player on their team may change. Play should be restarted as soon as they have left the field of play. The pony may be tagged or marked under the supervision of the umpires so that it may not play again in the match. In both cases play will be restarted with a throw in or fair play dropped ball.
If a pony falls the player must make every effort to retain hold of their pony. If its shoulder touches the ground the umpires should stop play immediately and direct the player to change their mount in order for the fallen pony to be trotted up and checked off the field of play. If considered fit to play the pony may return.
If a pony throws or skews a shoe the player may be allowed to change at the next break in play. Play will be restarted when the player returns.