Summary from FEI

Session 5 of the FEI Sports Forum 2026 focused on the comprehensive revision of the FEI Veterinary Regulations, which are being undertaken this year in accordance with the FEI Periodical Rules Revision Policy. The session was moderated by FEI Veterinary Committee Chair, Jenny Hall.

Dr Caterina Termine, FEI Senior Veterinary Advisor, opened the session by outlining the approach to the Rules revision. She highlighted initiatives such as the Fitness to Compete Forum in Amsterdam (NED) at the beginning of last year and a series of subject-specific workshops, including those dedicated to equine behaviour and supportive therapies. She also explained the systematic methodology and guiding principles behind the process, emphasising the central role of equine welfare and scientific evidence. Dr Termine stressed the importance of the entire equestrian community working collaboratively to successfully deliver and implement the revised FEI Veterinary Regulations.

FEI Director of Veterinary & Equine Welfare, Göran Åkerström, then presented the key concepts behind the proposed rule changes across several areas. In the domain of fitness to compete, discussions covered behaviour assessment, neurectomy, the Henneke Scale for body condition scoring, and jugular vein functionality. Clean sport proposals addressed issues such as therapeutic use exemptions for pergolide, a substance used to lower the secretion of a hormone (ACTH) that regulates the release of cortisol and thereby lower the risk for clinical signs such as laminitis and weight loss, the removal of non-emergency treatments by injection, stricter limitations on the possession of medications and substances, and the use of fluid therapy.

During the discussion, delegates emphasised the importance of considering geographical context in the Rules revision process, particularly in relation to varying climatic conditions that may affect fitness to compete assessments.

With regard to welfare and safety, topics included the enforcement of mandatory stables closure at night for a minimum of six, and general safety concerns such as the use of bicycles and electrically powered scooters in stable areas.

Participants called for greater clarity on the elimination of horses deemed too dangerous to remain at an event, including the specific situations in which elimination should occur and its implications. This prompted further discussion on how to manage horses displaying dangerous behaviours while still achieving high athletic performance. Additionally, it was noted that any restrictions on bicycles and electrically powered scooters should take into account the needs of para-athletes who rely on specific mobility devices to access stable areas.

Facility-related discussions focused on enclosures – permanent small outdoor paddocks that may be used as stabling at FEI Events, while pony measuring proposals examined methods for calculating overall measurements and procedures for refusal to measure in cases of questionable identification. Audience feedback highlighted that the pony measurement system should be fair and include measures to mitigate the cost of a measuring session.

Further topics included horse identification, particularly the right to take, store, and analyse DNA samples at any time during an event. Supportive therapies were also reviewed, with attention given to human safety in relation to the use of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) machines in FEI stables and limiting the use of ice immediately prior to horse inspections. Finally, proposed amendments around limb sensitivity protocols were discussed, including a review of the hyposensitivity threshold removing and the removal of the Final Hypersensitivity examination.

Other session during day two of the FEI Sports Forum 2026 included session 4 on FEI Marketing & Communications Strategy 2026 - 2030, Leading the Global Equestrian Conversation with One Voice, session 6: FEI Para Dressage Rules, session 7: FEI Event Stable Manager and session 8: Data Driven Welfare and Safety.