Rule 3. Ponies, Equipment, and Tack

In plain English

Any height of pony. Boots or bandages all round, tail up.

• There is no height limit on a polo pony.
• A pony is barred outright if it is blind in an eye, has been de-nerved or has an open tracheotomy, is lame or showing distress, is bleeding, is carrying an infectious disease, is not under proper control, or has been suspended or sent off. Gene editing or gene doping for competition is also a bar.
• Turnout: boots or bandages on all four legs and the tail put up. Out go blinkers and anything else that blocks the pony's vision, wire or sharp material in a noseband or headpiece, tongue ties, a bitless bridle or hackamore in a match, and any bit thinner than a quarter of an inch at its narrowest point.
• Shoes may be rimmed on the inside only. Studs and calkins are limited in size and sit on the outside heel of a hind shoe, balanced by a raised inside heel. Frost nails, screws, spikes and protruding nails are out.
• A pony may play unshod or without hind shoes, but the umpires can order it off if that makes it a danger to itself or anyone else.

Ponies must be protected by bandages or boots on all four legs and must have their tails put up.

Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 3

Read rule 3 in the Blue Book 2026

What is mandatory regarding a pony's leg protection during play?

• Ponies must be protected by bandages or boots on all four legs ✓
• Ponies must have their tails put up and must not wear any protective gear
• Ponies are not required to have any leg protection
• Ponies must ride in a pelham

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

What is true about the shoes a pony may wear during play?

• They must have rims on the outside of the shoe only
• They can have frost nails and screws
• They must not have more than a 5mm lateral extension or projection proud of the hoof wall ✓
• They can have unlimited road nails or non-slip nails per shoe

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

A pony must be removed from a polo match if it is displaying which of the following signs?

• Limping or showing signs of lameness
• Exhibiting any signs of distress
• Both a) and b) ✓
• Neither a) nor b)

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

A pony must be removed from play if it has visible spur damage

• True ✓
• False

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

Under what condition may a pony return to play if it is showing blood from any part but not as a result of spur damage?

• The bleeding is superficial and can be stopped
• A club official or the umpires are content for it to return
• The bleeding is superficial and can be stopped AND a club official or the umpires are content for it to return ✓
• The pony cannot return to play under any circumstances if showing blood

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

A pony must be removed from a polo match if it has been sent off by an umpire.

• True ✓
• False

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

A pony must be removed from a polo match if it has any form of open tracheotomy or has been de-nerved. In the case of temporary desensitisation, under what condition can it return to play?

• It must not be played until full sensation has returned ✓
• It can return immediately
• It can return after a set period of time regardless of sensation
• It can return if given medication

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

Which of the following is NOT allowed in terms of a pony's appearance and equipment in a polo match?

• Well-fitted tack
• A headcollar without any sharp material
• Bandages on all four legs
• Blinkers or any form of noseband that might obstruct the pony’s vision ✓

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

What is the maximum size a calkin or stud must be when fitted on the outside heel of the hind shoe of a pony?

• Less than 0.5 inches (13 mm) cubed or hexagonal ✓
• Less than 1 inch (25 mm) cubed or hexagonal
• Less than 2 inches (50 mm) cubed or hexagonal
• Size does not matter

(ii) 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.

What is the maximum lateral extension or projection of a shoe allowed in relation to the hoof wall of a pony in a polo match?

• 3mm
• 3cm
• 5mm ✓
• 5cm

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

Are frost nails, road studs, screws, fancy spikes or any protruding nails or sharp edges on a shoe allowed for ponies in a polo match?

• Yes
• No ✓

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

How many road nails or non-slip nails per shoe are allowed for a pony to be exercised safely on the roads?

• None
• One
• Two ✓
• Three

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

What is the rule regarding a pony wearing shoes during a polo match?

• A pony must wear all four shoes
• A pony must wear at least hind shoes
• A pony can be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes, but if this leads to the pony not being under proper control so as to be a danger to itself or others, it should be ordered off by the umpires ✓
• There are no specific rules regarding a pony wearing shoes

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

If a calkin is fitted, where must it be located?

• On the last 25mm of the outside of the heel of the hind shoe ✓
• On the last 25mm of the outside of the heel of any shoe
• Anywhere on the shoe
• Calkins are not allowed

(ii) 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 what?

• A farrier
• A raised inside heel tapered by 1.5 inch (40mm)
• A raised and feathered inside heel tapered by 2 inch (51mm)
• A raised and feathered inside heel tapered by 1.5 inch (40mm) ✓

(ii) 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.

Can a non-slip plug or road plug be fitted?

• Yes ✓
• Never
• Only if there is a raised and feathered inside heel
• Only if the pony has been shod in the last 2 weeks

(ii) 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.

Nails must not be fitted where?

• On the grounds
• On the widest part of the shoe ✓
• On hind shoes
• On all four shoes

(iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. (v) A pony may be played without all four shoes or without hind shoes.

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