Rules of Polo
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Rule 6 · USPA Rulebook 2026

Mounts' equipment

Which shoes and calks a horse may wear, the ban on blinkers, and leg protection.

  1. 6a

    Shoes and calks

    Shoes with an outer rim, toe grip, screws, or frost nails are not allowed. Dull heel calks are allowed on hind shoes only. The calks can either be fixed or removable (screw-in), and should be dull, without sharp edges and no greater than one inch from the sole surface of the shoe to the ground surface. (See Examples.) The penalty for a violation of Rule 6.a during a game by a player shall be a red card for the player. If, within 24 hours after a game, the Umpire(s), a Referee, or the Host Tournament Committee is presented with conclusive physical evidence (including, but not limited to, photographic or video evidence) that a player has violated Rule 6.a during the game, and the violation was not detected during the game, the penalty shall be a red card for the player. Unlike many other penalties which the Umpire(s) may elect not to exact, this penalty must be exacted, whether during or after a game.

    A horse tacked for polo, labelled from USPA rule 6: shoes and calks, no blinkers or shadow rolls, leg protection
    1. No blinkers or shadow rolls
    2. Boots or bandages on the front legs: required
    3. On the hind legs: recommended
    4. Shoes: no outer rim, toe grip, screws or frost nails; dull heel calks on hind shoes only, no more than 1 inch from the shoe's sole surface to the ground

  2. 6a example

    It is recommended that when necessary, players use removable calks because they are considered less intrusive.

  3. 6a example 2

    Impermissible – Sharp Heel Calk: Permissible – Dull Heel Calk: Of the calk styles below, only E, I, J and N are permissible, provided they aren’t too long:

  4. 6b

    Blinkers

    Blinkers or shadow rolls are not allowed.

  5. 6c

    Leg protection

    Protection of the pony by boots or bandages will be used on the front legs and is recommended on the hind legs.