equipment The adjacent photo shows the player’s and the pony’s typical equipment which is obligatory for any tournament. In the game the player must wear protective headgear including a chinstrap, as well as knee pads, boots, white breeches and a team shirt. The polo mallet will complete this list of obligatory equipment. Faceguards, possibly non-breakable glasses (goggles) and mouth guards are necessary to protect eyes and the facial area. Most of the polo players wear gloves on both hands or at least on their hitting hand. More and more frequently you will see players wearing further safety equipment like elbow pads, back protectors and wrist guards. The pony’s legs are carefully wrapped with bandages, often supplemented with protectors like brushing or tendon boots (which help to protect cannon bones and fetlock). Its mane must be trimmed to prevent the reins or mallet from entangling. Of course it would be at least as dangerous if the mallet became entangled in the pony’s tail, so this is plaited and wrapped for the course of the game. The typical and obligatory equipment and turnout of a pony includes: Polo saddle Bridle including double reins Standing martingale Breast collar Bandages and/or protecors Trimmed mane Tied-up tail
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