Rule 23. Injured, Distressed, Fallen or Fatigued Pony or Lost Shoe

In plain English

Pony welfare sits with you first, the umpires second.

• The umpires carry a duty of pony welfare during play, but the first responsibility is always the player's.
• A player may tell the umpires their pony is injured or distressed, or the umpires may judge it themselves. Either way they stop play at once and look at the pony.
• Visibly injured or distressed: the call is 'all may change'. The pony is led off or goes off by horse ambulance, and play restarts from where the ball was once that player is back on another.
• Not injured but fatigued: that player alone changes, leading the pony off by the shortest route. No team-mate may change with them, and the pony can be tagged so it does not play again in the match.
• A pony that falls so that its shoulder touches the ground stops play immediately; the player changes and the pony is trotted up and checked off the field, and may come back if it is sound.
• A thrown or skewed shoe earns a change at the next break in play.

The umpires have a responsibility during play for pony welfare, but the primary responsibility lies with the player at all times.

Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 23

Read rule 23 in the Blue Book 2026

If a pony is visibly injured or distressed during a match, what should happen?

• The game continues normally
• The player should immediately dismount and wait for instructions
• The player riding the injured or distressed pony should be given a penalty
• The umpires should call "all may change" and the pony in question must be led off the field or taken off by horse ambulance ✓

(i) 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.

How is play restarted in a polo match after a pony is led off the field due to visible injury or distress?

• Play is restarted with a penalty shot from the centre of the field
• Play is restarted with a throw-in from where the ball was when the player with the injured pony has returned on another pony ✓
• Play is resumed by dropping the ball at the centre of the field

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.

What should the umpires do if, in their opinion, a pony is not visibly injured but is fatigued during a polo match?

• Instruct the player to change ponies by leading the fatigued pony off the field by the shortest route to a changing box or area ✓
• Allow the player to continue playing on the fatigued pony
• Stop the game until the pony recovers
• Allow the whole team to change ponies

(i) 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.

How is play restarted after a player has been instructed to change a fatigued pony?

• Play is restarted with a throw-in from where the ball was when the player left the field
• Play is resumed by dropping the ball at the centre of the field
• Play is restarted as soon as the player has left the field of play ✓
• Play is restarted with a penalty shot from the centre of the field

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.

What may happen to a pony that was led off the field for being fatigued?

• The pony is allowed to play again in the match after resting
• The pony is disqualified from the match
• The pony may be tagged or marked under the supervision of the umpires so that it may not play again in the match ✓
• The pony is inspected by a veterinarian before it can play again in the match

(i) 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.

What should happen if a player believes his pony is injured or distressed during a polo match?

• The player should continue playing until the end of the chukka
• The player should inform the umpires during a break in play or, in exceptional cases, during play, and the umpires should stop play immediately to examine the pony ✓
• The player should swap the pony for a substitute without notifying the umpires
• The player should take the pony off the field and only then inform the umpires

In both cases, they should stop play immediately and examine the pony.

What must a player do if their pony falls during a match?

• The player must signal for a substitution
• The player must immediately leave the field
• The player must make every effort to retain hold of the pony ✓
• The player must help the pony up before continuing the game

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.

If a pony falls and its shoulder touches the ground, what must the umpires do?

• Stop play immediately and ensure that the pony is trotted up and examined for soundness ✓
• Allow play to continue normally
• Award a penalty to the opposing team
• Call for a substitution of the pony

(i) 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.

If a pony throws or skews a shoe, when may the player be allowed to change ponies?

• Immediately
• At the next break in play ✓
• After 5 minutes
• At the end of the chukka

(i) 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.

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