Rule 2.4. Ponies and Pony Welfare
Blue Book 2026, Part 2, Rule 2.4 · Supplementary Rules
In plain English
The pony's owner carries the welfare responsibility, always.
- Care and welfare of a pony rest at all times with its owner, and the rule reads 'owner' as whoever actually makes the decisions, legal title or not. That covers private grounds and the winter, keeping a pony under control and never loose, and taking reasonable steps over its future when it is passed on or retired.
- Time on the field: a pony may not play more than 7½ minutes without a 10 minute break, or 15 minutes in total, and no more than three full chukkas or the equivalent in a day, at no more than two locations.
- At 12 goal and above a pony may not be played by two different teams in the same tournament. Owners of ponies aged 16 and over are advised to have heart and eye tests each season.
- Umpire ponies: two per team at 15 goal and above, one below. At 8 goal and up a pony may not both play and umpire on the same day. The pony is turned out as for playing except that the tail need not be up, is warmed up before handover, and must suit the level - an umpire may refuse one. A pony judged badly behaved for umpiring is stood down for a month and the responsible person fined, with heavier fines and suspension for repeats.
- The welfare committee can have a pony inspected at a ground or on private premises at short notice, and refusing access without good reason is misconduct. Complaints go on a report form to the committee chair and the club.
- Veterinary surgery may only be done by a current member of the RCVS, and the rule then sets out medication and dope testing.
The clause that governs
The ultimate responsibility for care and welfare of a pony rests at all times with the owner who must take all responsible steps to ensure the welfare of their ponies.
Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 2, Rule 2.4
3 questions on this rule
What must a pony not have in order to be allowed to play?
- Fitted tack
- A contagious or infectious disease ✓
- Protective bandages on all four legs
- Mane
Contagious or Infectious Diseases.
A pony must be removed from a polo match if it has been suspended by the HPA.
- True ✓
- False
A pony that has been sent off during a match or club chukkas for being not under proper control or showing unsuitable behaviour so that it is unsafe will be subject of a Report Form and automatically suspended from match polo until the suspension is lifted by the HPA.
A pony must be removed from play if it is not under proper control or is displaying behaviour that makes it unsafe, such as kicking or biting.
- True ✓
- False
A pony that has been sent off during a match or club chukkas for being not under proper control or showing unsuitable behaviour so that it is unsafe will be subject of a Report Form and automatically suspended from match polo until the suspension is lifted by the HPA.
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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.