Rethinking “Fitness to Compete”: inside the FEI’s Veterinary Rule Changes

Rethinking “Fitness to Compete”: inside the FEI’s Veterinary Rule Changes

The FEI is undertaking its first major revision of the Veterinary Regulations since the recommendations of the Equine Ethics and Well-being Commission, as part of a broader shift driven by the FEI Welfare Strategy.

At the FEI Sports Forum 2026, Session 5 focused on how these changes could reshape the way horse welfare is assessed, managed and enforced in practice.

A key focus is also on enforceability (i.e. the ability to apply rules consistently in practice), ensuring that regulations are not only well defined, but also realistically implementable in the field.

The objective is to better align:

  • scientific evidence
  • horse welfare
  • enforceability (i.e. the ability to apply a rule consistently, objectively and in practice)
  • and public perception

At this stage, many proposals are still under consultation and not yet finalised.

Fitness to Compete

The FEI is moving away from simply assessing whether a horse is “sound” towards a more holistic concept of overall fitness as many initiative underlined such as 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. The concept is being redefined through more objective criteria and clearer assessment protocols.

  • Mental & Behavioral Health
    For the first time, mental fitness is being considered. A horse must be psychologically capable of handling the competition environment.
    However, how this can be measured and applied consistently remains unclear and is a central point of debate.
  • The “Stallion” Debate
    IJRC has highlighted the difficulty of distinguishing between:
    • naturally reactive, high-performance horses
    • and genuinely distressed or unsafe horses

François Mathy Jr warned that the concept risks becoming “very abstract” and difficult to translate into a rule-based system.

Eleonora Ottaviani highlighted the complexity with the example of Diamant de Semilly, illustrating the grey area between performance and behaviour. This remains a key area where definitions are still evolving.

  • Dangerous Behavior
    Clearer rules are proposed for horses that:
    • cannot be safely led
    • pose risks to people or other horses
    • create unsafe situations during routine procedures

While such cases are rare, the FEI considers them serious enough to require formal guidance.

  • Neurectomy (Nerving)
    The FEI is considering:
    • a full ban
    • or stricter regulation of specific procedures

This is a sensitive topic with significant implications for long-term horse eligibility.

Stable Management & Treatments

A central theme is reducing the use of routine or unjustified treatments.

  • Injections & “Comfort” Treatments
    There is a move to restrict non-emergency injections at shows.
    The FEI’s position is that treatments should be based on clear veterinary diagnosis, not routine practice.
    At the same time, riders and federations argue that supportive treatments can be part of responsible horse management, especially in demanding disciplines or extreme conditions.
  • IV Fluids
    The FEI does not intend to ban fluids, but to ensure they are used only when medically necessary.
    This reflects a broader question raised during the discussion:
    if a horse routinely requires such support, should it be competing under demanding conditions?
  • Body Condition Scoring
    The Henneke Scale (1–9) will be introduced to support objective welfare assessment of underweight or overweight horses.

Additional Key Topics Under Discussion

  • Therapeutic Use (e.g. pergolide: )
    Clean sport discussions also addressed therapeutic use exemptions, including substances such as 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. This raises a fundamental question: can a horse under ongoing medication compete on equal terms?
  • Geographical context: During the discussion, the importance of geographical context it was  emphasized , particularly in relation to varying climatic conditions that may affect fitness to compete assessments.
  • Elimination: 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. 
  • Education vs Regulation
    The FEI is questioning whether some welfare issues should be addressed through education rather than additional rules. With regard to welfare and safety, topics included the enforcement of mandatory stables closure at night for a minimum of six hours, and general safety concerns such as the use of bicycles and electrically powered scooters in stable areas.
  • Enforcement & Control
    Expanding regulations may require stronger enforcement powers, but there are concerns about creating tension between regulators and participants.

What This Means

  • Documentation is key

        Every treatment must be supported by a clear veterinary diagnosis

  • Public perception matters

        Practices seen as “supporting” a tired horse will face increasing scrutiny

  • From horsemanship to regulation

       Traditional judgment is being formalised into rules and protocols

  • A system still evolving

              Key areas — especially mental fitness — remain open and under discussion

Timeline & Next Steps

  • July → FEI feedback on stakeholder input
  • November → Final discussions and decisions at the FEI General Assembly

From the IJRC perspective, two elements appear essential for constructive feedback:

  • the concept of “fit to compete” must be harmonised across disciplines;
  • the notion of mental well-being must be clearly defined, including who is responsible for its assessment and how it is applied in practice.

The revision of the Veterinary Regulations reflects a broader shift: welfare is no longer only a veterinary matter, but a central pillar of the sport shaping rules, perception and the future of equestrian competition.

For those wishing to explore the topic in more detail, the full session and supporting documents are available here:

LINK:

SESSION 5 

Presentation: Veterinary Matters

@IJRC