Rules of Polo
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Rule 3 · HPA Blue Book 2026

Ponies, equipment and tack

Which ponies may play, how they must be turned out, which tack and bits are banned, and how they may be shod.

  1. 3a

    Ponies of any height may be played.

  2. 3b

    A pony may not play if: • It is blind in an eye. • It has any form of open tracheotomy (tubing) or has been de-nerved (chemically or surgically desensitized). If desensitized temporarily it must not be played until full sensation has returned. • It is not under proper control or is showing unsuitable behaviour so that it is unsafe, such as kicking or biting. See Part 2 Rule 2.4t. • It has a contagious or infectious disease. • It is lame or showing any signs of distress. • It is showing blood from any part. If the bleeding is not covered under Part 2.3.b and is superficial so that it can be stopped the pony may return to play if the umpires are content. • It has been suspended by the HPA. • It has sent off by an umpire. • It has any sign of injury likely to affect, or be detrimental to, pony welfare. • Its visual impact is considered detrimental to the reputation of polo. This is at the discretion of a club representative and/or umpires. See Part 2, Rule 2.7 Report Forms. • It has undergone gene editing, genome editing, genetic therapy, or gene doping, for competitive purposes.

  3. 3c

    Ponies must be protected by bandages or boots on all four legs and must have their tails put up. Ponies are expected to be turned out with appropriate tack and the following are not permitted: • Poor or badly fitted tack. • Blinkers or any form of noseband or other equipment which might obstruct the vision of the pony. • A noseband, headpiece, or headcollar which incorporates wire or any sharp material. • Any equipment that has sharp projections which might cause injury to the pony or any other pony or player. • A hackamore or bitless bridle (may be used in practice chukkas at the discretion of the club). • Any bit, whether single or double, with a mouthpiece of less than 0.25in (6.5mm) in diameter at its narrowest point. • No curb bit may have a total cheek/shank length of more than 6 inches (15.2cm), measured from the point that the bit attaches to the cheekpiece to the lowest point the rein can be attached • Tongue ties. • An equaliser or humane girth (where both buckles are connected to the girth by a single strap) may only be used in conjunction with an overgirth or surcingle.

    A pony turned out for polo, labelled from HPA rule 3: bandages on all four legs, tail up, nothing over the eyes, the bit's limits, the overgirth and the shoes
    1. Eyes clear: no blinkers, and no noseband or other equipment that might obstruct the pony's vision
    2. No wire or sharp material in a noseband, headpiece or headcollar
    3. Bit: mouthpiece at least 0.25 in (6.5 mm) at its narrowest; a curb's cheek no longer than 6 in (15.2 cm). No hackamore, bitless bridle or tongue tie
    4. Bandages or boots on all four legs
    5. Tail put up
    6. An equaliser or humane girth only with an overgirth or surcingle
    7. Shoes: any rim on the inside only; a stud under 0.5 in (13 mm), on the last inch of a hind shoe's outside heel; no frost nails, screws or spikes; no more than 5 mm proud of the hoof wall

  4. 3d

    Shoes.

  5. 3d(i)

    Shoes: rims

    Rimmed shoes may be worn but the rim must be on the inside of the shoe only.

  6. 3d(ii)

    Shoes: calkins, studs and plugs

    A calkin or stud must be of less than 0.5 inches (13 mm) cubed or hexagonal and must be fitted on the last inch (25mm) of the outside heel of the hind shoe. If a shoe has a calkin or fixed stud it must be balanced by a raised and feathered inside heel tapered for a minimum of 1.5 inches (40 mm). A non-slip plug or road plug may be fitted. A plug is sunken into the shoe by a farrier and is not to be confused with any form of stud. A removable stud, which is the type strongly recommended, should be removed before the pony leaves the grounds.

  7. 3d(iii)

    Shoes: nails and sharp edges

    Frost nails, road studs, screws and fancy spikes or any protruding nails or sharp edges on a shoe are not allowed. A pony may be shod with a maximum of two road nails or non-slip nails per shoe in order that it may be exercised safely on the roads. Such nails must not be on the widest part of the shoe.

  8. 3d(iv)

    Shoes: width

    The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall.

  9. 3d(v)

    Shoes: unshod ponies

    A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes. Should this lead to the pony not being under proper control so as to be a danger to itself or others then it should be ordered off by the umpires.