How we recommend
We recommend gear by category and use, not by brand, and do not quote prices. We may earn a commission on purchases at no cost to you.
Get trained
This page explains the principles. It is not a substitute for lessons from a qualified polo instructor or club, and it does not replace the rules of your governing body, club or tournament.
How we recommend
Our picks are categories of gear, such as polo helmets, knee guards or standing martingales, never particular models or brands. Each pick says who it suits and what to check before buying. We do not publish hands-on reviews of products we have not tested, and we do not rank individual products.
We do not quote or compare prices. The buttons take you to current listings so you can compare for yourself. Product links are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no cost to you; that never decides which categories we include.
Rules first
In polo, much of the kit is required by a rulebook, and the rulebooks differ. Each guide names the body and the year: the HPA's 2026 rules for the UK and Ireland, the USPA's 2024 Outdoor Rules for the United States, and the Pony Club's 2026 rulebook for UK junior polo. The USPA revises its rules each year and its 2026 book was not reviewed for this site, so players in the United States should check the current edition.
Some examples of why it matters:
- Eye protection is required for every player under the HPA's 2026 rules, but only for under-18s under the USPA's 2024 rules.
- Pony leg protection is required on all four legs under the HPA's 2026 rules, but only on the front legs under the USPA's 2024 rules, with the hind legs recommended.
- Helmets must carry a standard on the governing body's list. We never say a particular helmet is approved: check the label inside it against your governing body's current list.
Where to start
- New to polo? Read the beginner kit guide first. You can start at an academy without your own pony.
- Buying protection? Helmets come first, then boots and knee guards.
- Choosing a mallet? The mallet guide covers cane, composite and length. Take a coach's advice too.
- Kitting out a pony? See saddles and tack and pony leg protection, and have everything fitted to the pony.
- Buying for someone else? The gift guide sticks to things that do not need fitting.
How we handle claims
Rulebooks are our primary sources. Where a maker, retailer or school describes its own products, we label it as a claim. Where sources disagree, we say so and give each version with who says it. Before you buy or ride, check the current rules of your governing body, club and tournament, and the label on your gear.