Text © World of Showjumping

Ahead of the 2025 FEI General Assembly in November, the FEI has published the final drafts on the proposed rule changes that will be subject to voting. After a first draft of the proposals was published in July, stakeholders were given seven weeks to comment.

Proposed modifications to the FEI Veterinary Regulations include further sanctions for violations, restrictions on entry to the FEI stable area as a biosecurity measure, a limit to the number of people that can accompany a horse to sample collection, as well as clarifications to existing articles.

Cutting of auricle hairs

The Australian and American federations have proposed amendments to article 1004.1 which regulates the cutting of auricle hairs. However, the FEI responded that it would like to withdraw the proposal to indicate the length of required hair re-growth in the horse’s auricles. “The rule was new in 2025 and further time is needed to assess its impact and the length of the horse’s hair may be difficult to apply in practice,” the FEI stated.

The proposed wording to article 1004.1 reads:

“1. Horses are not permitted to compete in FEI Events:

j) if the hair in the auricles (ears) of the Horse have been removed or shortened within the rims of the auricle. Areas of hair that must be clipped, shaven or removed to allow veterinary treatment are exempt from this rule.”
 

Biosecurity

To ensure better biosecurity at FEI events, the FEI has proposed changes to article 1008.

The proposed wording reads:

“Only Equidae, dogs and humans are permitted access to the FEI Stables Area.”

Removal of shoes or horse boots

The FEI has suggested that if a horse’s shoes or hoof boots are removed during an event, fitness to compete must be re-assessed.

The proposed wording to article 1035 reads:

“If a Horse is competing with shoes or hoof boots and the PR wishes to remove the shoes or hoof boots during the Event, the Horse must be examined for fitness to compete, by the VD, in order to continue competing in that Event. The examination must comprise of the Horse being walked in a straight line and a tight turn in both directions, on a flat, hard surface, or, in the case of Endurance, pass a veterinary inspection on completion of the loop.”

Same-day treatment

The FEI has proposed to change article 1054 which regulates same-day treatment, in order to clarify situations where competitions end during the late evening.

The proposed wording to article 1054 reads:

“1. Horses must not be treated by injection or infusion with any substance not listed on the EPSL prior to the Competition on the day in which they compete, except in exceptional circumstances when the FEI Stables Area has closed after midnight on that day and the Horse has competed in the last competition of the previous day, treatment is permitted until FEI Stables Area closure time. However, the Horse cannot compete in a competition that starts less than 8 hours after the closure time of the FEI Stables Area.”

Prohibited methods

Regarding prohibited methods regulated in article 1061, the Australian federation asked the FEI to further clarify what is allowed under the wording of the rule.

As a response, the FEI has suggested the following clarifications to the wording:

“7. The injection of infusion (including as an additive to intravenous fluids) of vitamins and/or minerals during the period of the event unless in the event of an emergency where their use is supported by using a Veterinary Form A.”

Sampling

To reduce the risks of accidents to horses and PRs, as well as supporting the integrity of the sampling procedure, the FEI has proposed to limit the number of people who accompany a horse to the testing box.

The proposed new wording to article 1066 reads:

“1. The PR is responsible for the Horse at all times. A maximum of 2 people may accompany a Horse that has been selected for EADCM sampling, to the Testing Box(es). Minors may only accompany Horses to the Testing Boxes provided they are the PR of the Horse selected for EADCM sampling.”

Sanctions

To support equine welfare and promote clean sport, the FEI has also suggested stricter sanctions, with additions to Annex VI – Sanctions in case of FEI Veterinary Regulation Violations.