IMPORTANT CHANGES TO FEI VETERINARY REGULATIONS

Please note some important changes to 2025 FEI Veterinary Regulations, which apply to all FEI disciplines:

Article 1054 Same- Day Treatment

As of this year (01.01.2025), it is no longer possible to administer any treatment whatsoever on the day the horse has a competition. The possibility of treating before 10.00 a.m. a horse which has a start after 6.00 p.m. has disappeared. 

Article 1060: Treatments with Non-Oral Medication and Therapies not Included on the EPSL - Veterinary Form B

This change concerns the injection of vitamins. In the past, injectable vitamins were injected by the PTV without a Veterinary Form B. From 01.01.2025, these vitamin/minerals injections must be made on a Veterinary Form A and must be submitted to the Vet Del for authorization. 

Another important rule, as already anticipated in our previous newsletter, is that the Equine Influenza Vaccination Module in now available:

The Equine Influenza Vaccination Module on the FEI HorseApp is available to all users as of 3 February 2025.

Other notable modifications for 2025 are:

Noseband Tightness (Article 1044.8)

Starting from 1 May 2025, the tightness of nosebands at FEI Events across all FEI Disciplines will be controlled using the FEI Measuring Device to ensure consistent and reliable readings.

With the implementation day fast approaching, all active FEI Stewards will receive one FEI Measuring Device free of charge.  

The FEI will provide further information to the broader equestrian community on how to purchase the FEI Measuring Device (see a video about this here).

Equine Welfare (Articles 1004 & 1089)

Hair in horses’ auricles cannot be removed, as it protects against insects and noise.

National Federations should share post-mortem reports from fatal injuries at national events to improve safety.

Event Facilities (Article 1008)

Vaulting stables must be 4m x 3m, with a 3m minimum width.

Stables must provide 80 lux lighting, with 250 lux for individual boxes when necessary.

Biosecurity and Infectious Diseases (Articles 1002, 1026 & 1029)

Extra biosecurity measures may apply to horses at risk of infectious diseases.

From 1 February 2025, equine influenza vaccination records must be entered into the FEI HorseApp (If you are a veterinarian, click here to see how to record a new vaccination on the FEI HorseApp.)

Horse Inspections and Examinations (Articles 1029, 1033, 1035, & 1045)

Eventing and Driving horses must undergo a clinical examination for heart health upon arrival.

Horses presented for inspection must be competition-ready with respect to wearing hoof boots or being barefoot and may not wear ear hoods.

Para Dressage horses require additional veterinary checks in the event of a horse or athlete fall.

Stewards and veterinarians can examine any part of a horse at any time during events.

Responsible Use of Medication (Articles 1054, 1060, 1066 & 1067)

Horses can no longer be administered injections of substances not listed on the Prohibited Substances List on the morning of competition if their class begins after 18:00.

Vitamins and minerals may only be given in emergencies with supporting veterinary documentation.

Article 1029 – Examination on Arrival

e)  ensure that the Horses do not have any clinical signs of infectious disease. The Horse’s rectal temperature must be taken and recorded in the FEI HorseApp. Other methods of evaluating the Horse’s body temperature must be FEI approved. The Horse’s respiratory rate, and the checking of any other clinical parameters may also be carried out;

e)f) for the disciplines of Eventing and Driving, the Examination on Arrival must include a clinical examination to assess the heart.

Article 1035 Presentation of Horses

6, Horses that are competing without shoes (i.e. barefoot) must present at the Horse Inspection without shoes and are not permitted to present wearing hoof boots.

7. Horses that are competing wearing hoof boots in Jumping, Eventing (Jumping test), Endurance and Vaulting and must present at the Horse Inspection wearing hoof boots. Hoof boots must be removed at the request of the Horse Inspection Panel to allow for evaluation of the Horse’s hooves, where required.

11.Horses are not permitted to wear bandages or blankets/rugs, ear hoods or equivalent.

Useful links

FEI Veterinary Rules see all changes on the clean and mark-up versions

FEI Campus: here an Video on rule changes for 2025

Source: FEI website