Pony leg protection: bandages, boots, tails and shoes.

This page covers what the rules require and why sources say it is done. It does not explain how to bandage a leg or shoe a pony. Bandaging is a hands-on skill to learn from an instructor or experienced groom, and under UK law shoeing is a job for a registered farrier (see below).

Bandages and boots: the rules

This is a real difference between the two main rulebooks: hind-leg protection is compulsory under the HPA's 2026 rules but only recommended under the USPA's 2024 rules. The USPA revises its rules each year and its 2026 book was not reviewed for this site, so check the current edition.

When a bandage comes loose

Under the HPA's 2026 Rule 20b, trailing bandages are one of the tack failures for which play is stopped immediately. The Pony Club's 2026 rulebook says play stops if a bandage comes undone, and expects players to be able to redo bandages quickly.

What the protection is for

• The St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup programme (2023) says bandages are wrapped, not too tightly, around each leg to protect the tendons, often with tendon boots on the front legs as well.
• It also says polo ponies wear overreach, or bell, boots around the pastern to protect the heel from their own hooves and other ponies'.
• The South African Polo Association says bandages and safety boots guard the legs against contact with the ball.
• EBSCO says ponies' legs are covered with padding or wrapped bandages to prevent injury.

Tails and manes

The HPA's 2026 rules (Part 1 Rule 3c) and the Pony Club's 2026 rulebook both require ponies to have their tails put up. Under the HPA's 2026 guidance, an umpire's pony is equipped as for playing except that its tail need not be put up. The St. Moritz programme says playing ponies' tails are plaited and tied up, usually with tape.

The sources agree on the reason: so the mallet does not catch.

• The St. Moritz programme says tails are tied up so sticks do not catch in them, and that manes are hogged (clipped very short) so sticks, reins and hands do not tangle. It adds that young ponies still in training can be recognised by their longer, unhogged manes.
• The South African Polo Association says manes are clipped so they do not interfere with the mallet shaft, and that plaited tails get in the way less on backhand and tail shots.
• EBSCO and Wikipedia say the same. Wikipedia adds that tails were formerly docked, but that today the dock is trimmed or shaved and the braid folded against the tailbone.

We found no study on the welfare effect of hogging manes or tying tails; the sources give only the practical reasons.

Whiskers

The HPA's 2026 rules (Part 2 Rule 2.4q) bar removing or trimming the sensory hairs around a pony's lips, muzzle and eyes except for veterinary reasons, and a pony found with them trimmed is the subject of a report form.

Shoes and studs: the rules

The USPA's 2024 book is not consistent with itself here: Rule 6a sets a red card for an illegal shoe, while the note to Penalty 8 says the penalty for a Rule 6a violation is forfeiture.

The Pony Club's 2026 rulebook allows one recognised polo stud without a hard centre, 0.5 in (13 mm) cubed, on the outside of each hind shoe within 1 in (25 mm) of the heel and not at the widest part, plus road nails with hardened tips on the outside of each hind shoe.

Under the HPA's 2026 Part 2 Rule 2.4n, the UK Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 means only a registered farrier may shoe a horse, and allowing anyone else to shoe a pony may be misconduct. If a pony throws or skews a shoe, HPA 2026 Rule 23c says the player may be allowed to change at the next break in play. Snow polo uses special shoes; see arena and snow gear.

Check the current rules of your governing body, club and tournament, and take advice on fitting from your instructor, vet or farrier. The wider welfare rules, including chukka limits, are on the welfare rules page.