Arena Rule 2a. Pony Welfare
Green Book 2025, Rule 2a · Arena
In plain English
Same pony exclusions as grass, boots or bandages all round.
- A pony may not play if it is blind in an eye, is not under proper control, or shows vice.
- Boots or bandages on all four legs are compulsory. Blinkers, and any noseband that gets in the way of the pony's sight, are banned.
- Goggles are allowed if they neither obstruct the pony's vision nor put anyone else at risk, and the pony must be shown to the umpire for inspection before playing.
- Rimmed shoes are allowed with the rim on the inside only. Frost nails, screws, calkins and studs are not.
- A vet must attend every arena Victor and Victrix Ludorum match, and is strongly recommended at 10 goal and above.
- Everything else on equine welfare and medication follows the outdoor rules in the Blue Book.
The clause that governs
A pony may not play if blind in an eye, not under proper control or showing vice...
Quoted extract · Green Book 2025, Rule 2a
3 questions on this rule
Are frost nails, screws, calkins and studs permitted?
- Yes
- No ✓
- It depends
d. Shoes and Shoeing. Rimmed shoes are allowed, but the rim may only be on the inside of the shoe. Frost nails, screws, calkins and studs are not allowed. e. Veterinary Attendance.
When is a vet required to be in attendance?
- All games
- Games 10-goal and above
- Victrix Ludorum
- Victor and Victrix Ludorum ✓
Veterinary Attendance. A vet must be in attendance at all Arena Victor and Victrix Ludorum matches. It is also strongly recommended that a vet is in attendance at all arena polo of 10-goal and above.
A pony is blind in one eye. May it play arena polo?
- Yes, with the umpire’s permission
- No ✓
Veterinary Attendance. A vet must be in attendance at all Arena Victor and Victrix Ludorum matches. It is also strongly recommended that a vet is in attendance at all arena polo of 10-goal and above.
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Every rule here is stated in our own words, with short quoted extracts from the HPA Blue Book 2026 and Green Book 2025 and a link to the book itself. Polo Rules Test is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the Hurlingham Polo Association. In any dispute the published rulebook governs.